Paraguay explained to kids

Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the country from north to south. Due to its central location in South America, Paraguay is sometimes referred to as the "heart of America". Paraguay covers an area of 157,047 km2 (60,747 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest country in South America after Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. As of 2016, the population of Paraguay was estimated to be 7,091,541, making it the 86th most populous country in the world and the second-most populous country in South America after Brazil. The Guaraní people have inhabited Paraguay for over a millennium. Spanish explorers arrived in 1524 and founded the city of Asunción, which became the capital of the Governorate of Paraguay and Río de la Plata. Paraguay was a Spanish colony for over 300 years. After declaring independence from Spain in 1811, Paraguay fought against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in the Paraguayan War (1864–1870), losing more than 50% of its prewar population. In the Chaco War (1932–1935), Paraguay lost territory to Bolivia. In the aftermath of the war, Paraguay underwent a period of military dictatorship (1954–1989), culminating in the regime of Alfredo Stroessner, who governed for 35 years. Paraguay is a founding member of Mercosur, an original member of the United Nations, and the Organization of American States. It is one of the largest producers of hydroelectric power in the world. Paraguay is classified as a "high human development" country by the Human Development Index. It ranks 89th on the Index of Economic Freedom and 54th on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index.