, northeast of
Argentina

Flag
----

Description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in
that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side
at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed
star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL
PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the
right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap
of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped
by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Geography
---------

Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references: South America

Area:
total area: 406,750 sq km
land area: 397,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries:
total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: short section of the boundary with Brazil,
just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has
not been determined

Climate: subtropical; 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
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m

Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese,
limestone

Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 5%

Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of
forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution;
inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many
urban residents
natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to
June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed,
but not ratified - Desertificat