Country name conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay Background In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.Location Central South America, northeast of Argentina Area total: 406,750 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
land: 397,300 sq km Area - comparative slightly smaller than California Coastline 0 km (landlocked) Climate subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Terrain grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Elevation extremes lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m Natural hazards local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Environment - current issues deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands Geography - note landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country Population 6,036,900 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.) Median age total: 20.9 years
male: 20.7 years
female: 21.2 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan Ethnic groups mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95% Religions Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant Languages Spanish (official), Guarani (official) Internet country code .py Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.) Government type constitutional republic National holiday Independence Day, 14 May (1811) Legal system based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice International organization participation ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Economy - overview Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and 2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay"s poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Exports - partners Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002) Currency guarani (PYG) Currency code PYG Exchange rates guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998) Airports 879 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 11
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways total: 868
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 323
under 914 m: 518 (2002) Disputes - international unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants |
