The Río Paraguay has a total course of 2600 km, 2300 km of which are navigable and 1200 km of which either border on or pass through Paraguay.
Paraguay is divided by the Río Paraguay into the eastern region, called Eastern Paraguay (Paraguay Oriental) and known as the Paraná region; and the western region, officially called Western Paraguay (Paraguay Occidental) and also known as the Chaco. The country lies between latitudes 19° and 28°S, and longitudes 54° and 63°W. The terrain consists of grassy plains and wooded hills in the east. To the west, there are mostly low, marshy plains.
The currency of Paraguay is known as Guarani. Guarani was decided on October 5 1943 as the national currency of country, however, it was first issued in 1944. It was earlier divided in 100 centimes but when inflation hit the area centimes were finished. Aluminum and Bronze coins were introduced in 1944.