PARAGUAY
(Republic of Paraguay)

Capital: Asuncion

Flag: the national flag which is officially accepted in 1842 represents a tricolor from red, white and blue horizontal strips. The national coat of arms appears in the center of a white strip on the face, and the press of Treasury is in the same situation on the back.

Anthem: Himno Nacional, beginning "Paraguay, repatriation to a muerta" ("Paraguayans, the republic or death").

MONETARY AND CREDIT GROUP: Gvarani (g) is paper currency in 100 stimitov. There are notes from 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 guaranies. g1 = $0,00016 (or $1 = g6,158,47) as of 2005.

WEIGHT AND MEASURES: the metric system is the legal standard.

HOLIDAYS: New year, on January 1; Put San Blas, on February 3; Day of national defense, on March 1; Labor Day, on May 1; Independence Day, on May 14-15; Day of the world, on June 12; Basis of Asuncion, on August 15; Constitution day, on August 25; The Victory Day (fight at Bokerona), on September 29; Day of Columbus, on October 12; All Saints' Day, on November 1; Mother of God to Kaakupa, on December 8; Christmas, on December 25. Moveable religious feasts are a Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Corpus Christi.

TIME: 8:00 - 12:00 across Greenwich.

ARRANGEMENT, SIZE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

One of two not having outlet to the sea of the countries of South America, Paraguay has the total area of 406 750 sq.km (157 047 quarter. Miles). Rather, the area occupied with Paraguay is a little less than State of California. Western 246 925 sq.km (95 338 quarter. Miles) the countries are represented by the dry, sparsely populated region known as Chako, and other 159 827 sq.km (61 709 quarter. Miles) are in more green East. Paraguay stretches for 992 km (616 miles) with-nnv and for 491 km (305 miles) of an en-v. Limited on ne and e to Brazil, on se, s and w Argentina, and on nw and n - Bolivia, Paraguay has the total length of border of 3920 km (2436 miles).
The capital of the city of Paraguay, Asuncion, is located in a southwest part of the country.

TOPOGRAPHY

East part of Paraguay contains magnificent hills, meadows and the woods. Western three fifth - the waterless prairie covered with a dry grass and seldom covered with spineless trees. The river Paraguay passing on the South, the most important water road of the country, divides these two sections; this river which long time was the main contact of Paraguay with the outside world rises by southwest Brazil and stretches for the total length of 2,549 km (1,584 miles). The Pilkomayo River which rises in mountains of the southern Bolivia and stretches for 1600 km (1000 miles) flows on the southeast, forming southwest border between Argentina and Paraguay and joins Paraguay near Asuncion.