Paraguay country profile
Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.
Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989.
It remains one of the region's poorest countries, with over 40% of its people living in poverty. Much of the land is in the hands of a tiny elite and successive governments have been slow to implement land reform.
Its economy is reliant on agriculture and hydroelectric power. Unlike its neighbours, Paraguay has evaded mass tourism.
Most of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani descent, known as mestizos, and speak the indigenous language Guarani as well as Spanish.
The Triple Frontier region, where Paraguay meets Argentina and Brazil, has long been associated with drug-smuggling and other contraband trade.
Republic of Paraguay
Population 6.7 million
Area 406,752 sq km (157,048 sq miles)
Major languages Spanish, Guarani
Main religion Christianity
Life expectancy 71 years (men), 75 years (women)
President-elect: Mario Abdo Benítez
Former senator Mario Abdo Benítez was elected president in April 2018 and is to be inaugurated in August.
His victory means that the right-wing Colorado Party, which has dominated Paraguayan politics for decades, maintains its hold on power.
Outgoing president: Horacio Cartes
Tobacco magnate Horacio Cartes won a five-year presidential term in April 2013.
His victory returned the right-wing Colorado Party to the executive office it held for six decades before left-wing former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo won the presidential election in 2008.
Mr Lugo was impeached in 2012 over his handling of a deadly land dispute, a move that several regional governments denounced as a "legislative coup" by the conservative assembly. Mr Cartes' election has helped bring Paraguay back into their good graces.
A week after he was sworn in, parliament voted in favour of giving Mr Cartes new powers allowing him to deploy the military against left-wing rebels of the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP).
Moves to change the constitution to allow him to stand for re-election sparked riots in March 2017. Mr Cartes' subsequent announcement that he would not stand for re-election defused tensions.
Mr Cartes is one of Paraguay's wealthiest people and part of the tiny elite that controls just about everything in the country.
Private and public outlets make up the broadcasting landscape and media ownership is highly concentrated.
The media operate with few official curbs. Crime reporting can be perilous in an area bordering Brazil and Argentina.
Some key dates in Paraguay's history:
1500s - Originally inhabited by the indigenous Guarani people before the arrival of the first Spanish settlers.
1811 - Declares independence from Spain and becomes a republic
1865-70 - War of the Triple Alliance - Paraguay goes to war with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in a bid to dominate the region but loses two-thirds of its adult male population and much of its territory. The government begins selling off land to pay off a crippling war debt leading to much of Paraguay's land being owned by a tiny elite.
1932-35 - After decades of economic stagnation, Paraguay wins swathes of land from Bolivia in the Chaco War.
1947 - Following a brief civil war, the right wing National Republican-Colorado Party rules Paraguay as a one-party state and goes on to dominate politics for the next 60 years.
1954-1989 - Army chief Alfredo Stroessner seizes power in a coup and rules for 35 years until he is overthrown by Gen Andres Rodriguez.
1992 - New constitution paves the way for free elections. Despite a failed coup attempt in 1996 and a succession of presidents, there is a long period of political instability and party infighting.
1999 - Bloody street protests follow the assassination of Vice-President Luis Maria Argana, President Raul Cubas resigns. A military coup is foiled the following year.
2008 - Six decades of rule by the right-wing Colorado Party is brought to an end when former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo is elected president, but the party returns to power in 2013 with election of political newcomer Horacio Cartes.