Pilar (Spanish pronunciation: [piˈlaɾ]) is the capital city of the Paraguayan department of Ñeembucú, located along the Paraguay River in the southwestern part of the country.

Located about 258 km (160 mi) from Asunción, Pilar serves as an important center of commerce and government for the far southwestern region of the country.

Pilar was founded by order of the governor-intendant Pedro Melo de Portugal on October 12, 1779 by settlers from Asunción with the name of Villa del Ñeembucú.

Four years later it was called Villa del Pilar, a name owed to the Spanish priest Marcial Antonio Uliambre, originally from Zaragoza, where the Virgin of Pillar is venerated.

[2] After independence, during Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia's dictatorship, the Port of Pilar was the only one authorized in all of Paraguay for foreign trade,[3] mainly the sale of yerba mate.

[4] During the Paraguayan War, two battles took place in then Villa del Pilar, the Battle of Pilar on September 20, 1867, between superior Brazilian forces and a small Paraguayan garrison, later reinforced by Solano López' personal guard under Felipe Toledo; and a skirmish on October 27 of the same year, in the middle of the town, which led to its occupation by Brazilian forces.

[citation needed] In 1930 Paolo Federico Alberzoni built a textile complex, the current Manufactura de Pilar SA.

Pilar has a total population of 32,810, with 14,298 men and 15,030 women, according to information provided by the General Directorate of Statistics, Polls and Censuses.

As for the councilors, who are part of the Municipal Board, they serve for 5 years, with the possibility of re-election, and their role is limited to acting as a deliberative and legislative body of the local government.

In 1887, the second municipal election was held; curiously,it resulted in a tie, leading to a judicial solution and the board being given to Inocencio Talavera for 4 years.

The city's residents are mainly dedicated to commerce, fishing, dairy production (bovine and goat), and horticulture.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, whose feast day is celebrated on October 12, was constructed by Italian missionaries to the city.

During Semana Santa the city is the site of a large fishing tournament that attracts participants and spectators from all over Paraguay and Northern Argentina.

The shores of the calmer Ñeembucú stream provide the city's residents with a beach to enjoy on hot December days.

In recent years, this party which is held alongside the Ñeembucú stream has reached about 20,000 to 30,000 people coming from all parts of Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.

Located at the Argentina–Paraguay border, a ferry connects the city to Colonia Cano, which is close to Resistencia and Formosa in Argentina.