FACTS

Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Area (only Total) total: 406,750 sq km

Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Population: 6,831,306 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital (Name): Asuncion

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 6 Epiphany Day

March 21 - 24 Friday Monday - Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 15 Independence Day

June 12 Chaco Armistice

August 15 Founding of Asuncion

August 25 Constitution Day

September 29 Boqueron Battle Day

November 1 All Saints' Day

December 8 Virgin of Caacupe, Immaculate Conception

December 25 Christmas Day

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday