Par·a·guay (p r  -gw  , -gw ) A landlocked country of south-central South America. Inhabited principally by the Guarani, the region was first explored by Europeans in 1516 and grew around the colony of Asunción (founded in the 1530s). Paraguay achieved de facto independence from Spain in 1811 and was ruled by a series of dictators in the 19th century. Paraguay was involved in costly wars with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (1865-1870) and Bolivia (1932-1935). Asunción is the capital and the largest city. Population: 6,670,000. Par a·guayan adj. & n. |   |
Paraguay [ˈpærəˌgwaɪ]
n
1. (Placename) an inland republic in South America: colonized by the Spanish from 1537, gaining independence in 1811; lost 142 500 sq. km (55 000 sq. miles) of territory and over half its population after its defeat in the war against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (1865-70). It is divided by the Paraguay River into a sparsely inhabited semiarid region (Chaco) in the west, and a central region of wooded hills, tropical forests, and rich grasslands, rising to the Paraná plateau in the east. Official languages: Spanish and Guarani. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: guarani. Capital: Asunción. Pop.: 5 636 000 (2001 est.). Area: 406 750 sq. km (157 047 sq. miles)
2. (Placename) a river in South America flowing south through Brazil and Paraguay to the Paraná River. Length: about 2400 km (1500 miles)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Paraguay - a landlocked republic in south central South America; achieved independence from Spain in 1811OAS, Organization of American States - an association including most countries in the western hemisphere; created in 1948 to promote military and economic and social and cultural cooperation Triple Frontier - the border area where Argentina and Brazil and Paraguay meet; an active South American center for contraband and drug trafficking and money laundering; a suspected locale for Islamic extremist groups Asuncion, capital of Paraguay - the capital and chief port of Paraguay Parana, Parana River - a South American river; tributary of Rio de la Plata South America - a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama Paraguayan - a native or inhabitant of Paraguay |
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