COUNTRY PROFILE: PARAGUAY
October 2005
COUNTRY
Formal Name: Republic of Paraguay (República del Paraguay).
Short Form: Paraguay.
Term for Citizen(s): Paraguayan(s).
Capital: Asunción.
Major Cities: Asunción (508,000 inhabitants), Ciudad del Este (261,000), San Lorenzo (228,000), Luque (210,000), Capiatá (199,000), Lambaré (126,000), and Fernando de la Mora (120,000) rank as Paraguay’s most populous cities⎯the country’s only cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
Independence: Paraguay led the South American charge for independence, securing its freedom from Spain on May 17, 1811, after several days of fighting. Independence day is observed on May 15.
Public Holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1); Day of Heroes (March 1); Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (variable dates in March or April); Labor Day (May 1); Independence Day (May 15); Chaco’s Peace (June 12); Founding of Asunción (August 15); Battle of Boquerón (September 29); Virgin of Caacupé (December 8); and Christmas Day (December 25).
Flag: The Paraguayan flag has three equal, horizontal bands of red (top),
white, and blue and is one of the few national flags with different emblems
on each side. The national coat of arms is centered in the middle white band
on the hoist side. The reverse side bears the seal of the treasury.