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Introduction - Paraguay
Background:
Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of
the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and
Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory.
The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the
Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco
lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in
1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years,
Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then.
Geography - Paraguay
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 406,752 sq km
country comparison to the world: 59
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Current Weather
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 resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 7.47%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 92.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
336 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)
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 pose health
risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated
in southern part of country
People - Paraguay
Population:
6,375,830 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.5% (male 955,532/female 924,165)
15-64 years: 64.6% (male 2,068,545/female 2,048,207)
65 years and over: 6% (male 175,865/female 203,516) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 24.7 years
female: 25.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.31% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Birth rate:
17.73 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Death rate:
4.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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 (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 89
male: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.99 years
country comparison to the world: 72
male: 73.39 years
female: 78.71 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.16 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or
unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 103
Government - Paraguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday
in April
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:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of
legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008);
Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August
2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular
vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 20 April 2008 (next to
be held in April 2013)
election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of
vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO
21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of
Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in
April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held
in April 2013)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent
of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2,
other 3; note - as of 1 January 2010, the composition of the Chamber of Deputies
is ANR 30, PLRA 29, UNACE 15, PPQ 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges proposed by
the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, and approved by the
Senate and president)
Political parties and leaders:
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC
[Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian
SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]; Movimiento
Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria
Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella];
Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado];
Partido Democratica Progressista or PDP [Rafael Augusto FILIZZOLA Serra];
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal
Radical Autentico or PLRA [Amanda NUNEZ]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos
Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino
Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon
ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES];
Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers
Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS,
OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL,
UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rigoberto GAUTO Vielman
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 228-603
Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem
centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each
side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a
yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL
PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a
circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and
patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and
generosity
note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the Netherlands; one
of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides -
the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
Economy - Paraguay
Economy - overview:
Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal
sector, featuring reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries,
as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street
vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas,
derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis.
Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are
difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980
levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand
for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support
Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy
producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and
slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy
fell 3.5% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to
contract. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus
packages. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural
reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$28.27 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$29.29 billion (2008 est.)
$27.69 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$13.77 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
5.8% (2008 est.)
6.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$4,700 (2008 est.)
$4,500 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.2%
industry: 18.7%
services: 61.2% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
2.983 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
7.9% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
5.4% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:
19.4% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 42.3% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
57.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
16.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Budget:
revenues: $2.728 billion
expenditures: $2.713 billion (2009 est.)
Public debt:
24% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
19% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.9% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 67
7.5% (2008)
Central bank discount rate:
20% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
20% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
28.26% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 9
25.81% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$2.062 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 90
$1.943 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.599 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
$1.368 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.098 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
$2.457 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$409.1 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits,
vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric
power
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - production:
53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - consumption:
8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - exports:
45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
30.96 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - consumption:
27,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - imports:
25,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Current account balance:
-$122 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
-$501 million (2008)
Exports:
$3.167 billion (2009)
country comparison to the world: 121
$4.436 billion (2008)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather
Exports - partners:
Argentina 32.84%, Brazil 13.49%, Uruguay 12.06%, Russia 7.24%, Chile 6.99%
(2009)
Imports:
$6.886 billion (2009)
country comparison to the world: 101
$8.945 billion (2008)
Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical
machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
Imports - partners:
Brazil 28.36%, US 22.76%, Argentina 15.98%, China 8.96% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.857 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$2.863 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.22 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
$2.99 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$2.153 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
$2.057 million (2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,967 (2009), 4,337.7 (2008), 5,031 (2007),
5,672.8 (2006), 6,178 (2005)
Communications - Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
491,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.954 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Telephone system:
general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line
telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a
rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among
multiple providers
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (2009)
Internet country code:
.py
Internet hosts:
71,487 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 78
Internet users:
894,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
Transportation - Paraguay
Airports:
798 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 9
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 784
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 289
under 914 m: 470 (2009)
Railways:
total: 36 km
country comparison to the world: 132
standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 29,500 km
country comparison to the world: 98
paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)
Waterways:
3,100 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 33
Merchant marine:
total: 23
country comparison to the world: 94
by type: cargo 18, carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off
1
foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Military - Paraguay
Military branches:
Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps,
General Naval Prefecture), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service
obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air
Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma
(2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,640,761
females age 16-49: 1,637,460 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,375,610
females age 16-49: 1,400,597 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 72,455
female: 70,910 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Transnational Issues - Paraguay
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of
money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and
fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil,
Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for
Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive
corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area;
weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
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