Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay. The Spanish word asunción means assumption in English. It refers to the Assumption of Mary; the full name means The Very Noble and Loyal City of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Assumption. The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department.

The city of Asuncion is home to a little more than 500,000 people. It is a young city: 65% of its residents are under the age of 30. From Saturday in the evening and all Sunday most businesses are closed and the city centre can appear fairly deserted.