Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the country from north to south. Due to its central location in South America, it is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América, or the Heart of America. The Guaraní have been living in Paraguay since before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, when Paraguay became part of the... Spanish colonial empire. Following independence from Spain in 1811, Paraguay was ruled by a series of dictators who followed isolationist and protectionist policies. This development was truncated by the disastrous Paraguayan War in which the country lost 60% to 70% of its population and large amounts of territory. During a large part of the 20th century, Paraguay was ruled by Alfredo Stroessner, who led one of South America's longest lived military dictatorships.
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| Founded: | May 14, 1811 |
| Capital: | Asunción |
| Population: | 752,000 |
| Official language: | Paraguayan Guaraní, Spanish Language, Guaraní language |
| Currency: | Paraguayan guaraní |
| Area: | 157,047.8 sq. mi. |
| GDP: | $18,333,172,802 |
| Form of government: | Republic, Presidential system, Constitutional republic |
| Also known as: | Republic of Paraguay |