Capital of Paraguay: Asunción — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Paraguay is Asunción. Paraguay sits in South America, has a population of 6,780,744, and uses the PYG. Official languages include Spanish, GuaranÃ.
Quick facts
- Capital: Asunción
- Continent: South America
- Population: ~6,780,744
- Area: 406,752 km²
- Population density: 16.7 people per km²
- Official languages: Spanish, GuaranÃ
- Currency: PYG
- ISO code: PY
How big is Paraguay?
By population, Paraguay ranks 108th in the world, holding roughly 0.09% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 59th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Paraguay has 16.7 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.6 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within South America, Paraguay is the 9th most populous country of 12.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Paraguay in population are Bulgaria (6,781,953) and Libya (6,812,341).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Zimbabwe (390,757 km²) and Norway (385,207 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Spanish is spoken officially in 20 countries in this dataset, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica, and 14 others.
Paraguay uses the PYG, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Paraguay
Asunción is on the Paraguay River, right on the border with Argentina. It is one of the oldest cities in South America and is nicknamed 'Mother of Cities'. For the flag, flip it over: it is the one with two different sides.
The flag of Paraguay: red, white and blue
🇵🇾 The flag is three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue, with a different emblem on each side: the national coat of arms on the front and the treasury seal on the back. Paraguay's flag is one of very few national flags whose two sides are different.
Region and neighbours
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, split by the Paraguay River into a wetter east and the dry Gran Chaco in the west. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. Paraguay is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
- Argentina 🇦🇷 — capital Buenos Aires
- Brazil 🇧🇷 — capital BrasÃlia
- Bolivia 🇧🇴 — capital Sucre
Three facts about Paraguay
- GuaranÃ, an Indigenous language, is an official language alongside Spanish, and most Paraguayans speak it.
- The Itaipu Dam on the Paraná River, shared with Brazil, is one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world.
- Asunción was founded in 1537.
Sources: Wikipedia: Paraguay, Wikipedia: Flag of Paraguay, Wikipedia: Asunción, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Paraguay
- South American capitals quiz — match Paraguay to Asunción
- South American flags quiz — spot the Paraguay flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Paraguay has no sea coast
Paraguay capital quiz
What is the capital of Paraguay 🇵🇾?
- BrasÃlia
- Georgetown
- Caracas
- Asunción
Show answer
Asunción
What is the capital of Bolivia 🇧🇴?
- BrasÃlia
- Quito
- Sucre
- Asunción
Show answer
Sucre
What is the capital of Uruguay 🇺🇾?
- Montevideo
- Sucre
- Quito
- Asunción
Show answer
Montevideo
What is the capital of Ecuador 🇪🇨?
- Georgetown
- Caracas
- Quito
- Paramaribo
Show answer
Quito
What is the capital of Chile 🇨🇱?
- Bogotá
- Santiago
- Buenos Aires
- Sucre
Show answer
Santiago
Paraguay in South America
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — South America is the block Paraguay belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Paraguay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Paraguay?
The capital of Paraguay is Asunción.
What is the population of Paraguay?
About 6,780,744, making it the 108th most populous country in the world.
How big is Paraguay?
406,752 square kilometres, ranking 59th by land area, at a density of 16.7 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Paraguay use?
The PYG, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Paraguay flag?
The flag of Paraguay is three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue, with a different emblem on each side: the national coat of arms on the front and the treasury seal on the back. Paraguay's flag is one of very few national flags whose two sides are different.
Which countries border Paraguay?
Paraguay shares land borders with Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
How can I remember the capital of Paraguay?
Asunción is on the Paraguay River, right on the border with Argentina. It is one of the oldest cities in South America and is nicknamed 'Mother of Cities'. For the flag, flip it over: it is the one with two different sides.
More capitals to learn
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