| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
South America |
| Geographical Location |
23° 00' South Latitude
58° 00' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
406,750 sq km |
| Climate |
Subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west |
| Natural Resources |
Hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Paraguay |
| Capital City |
Asuncion |
| Government Type |
Constitutional republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu,
Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro |
| Independence Day |
14 May 1811 (from Spain) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
6,347,884 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Paraguayan |
| Ethnic Groups |
Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5% |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10% |
| Languages |
Spanish (official), Guarani (official) |
| Population Growth Rate |
2.48% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Guarani (PYG) |
| Industries |
Sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power |
| Labor Force |
2.66 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 45% |
| Agriculture Products |
Cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber |
| Export Commodities |
Soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather |
| Export Partners |
Brazil 27.8%, Uruguay 15.9%, Italy 7.1%, Switzerland 5.6%, Argentina 4.3%, Netherlands 4.2% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery |
| Import Partners |
Brazil 24.3%, US 22.3%, Argentina 16.2%, China 9.9%, Hong Kong 5% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
441 km |
| Highways |
29,500 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
878 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+595 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.py |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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. |
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