Pilar, Paraguay

Pilar is the capital of the Paraguayan department of Neembucu, on the Paraguay River in the southwest of the country about 258 kilometers from Asuncion, with a 2022 census population of 34,741. Founded in 1779 by settlers from Asuncion, it was the only Paraguayan port authorized for foreign trade during the dictatorship of Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia, particularly for yerba mate exports, and later suffered a major flood in 1983; the city today has a notable community of Italian descent and is known for fishing, tourism and basketball.