Map
Location: 23 00 S, 58 00 W -- Central South America, northeast of Argentina
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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 the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
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Geography
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total area:
406,750 sq km
land area:
397,300 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total:
3,920 km
border countries:
Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
International disputes:
short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been determined
Climate:
subtropical; 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
lowest point:
junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point:
Cerro San Rafael 850 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
arable land:
20%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
39%
forest and woodland:
35%
other:
5%
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents
natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands
Geographic note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil
People
Population:
5,504,146 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
41% (male 1,144,644; female 1,096,430)
15-64 years:
55% (male 1,518,661; female 1,513,577)
65 years and over:
4% (male 106,121; female 124,713) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate:
30.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate:
4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.85 male(s)/female
all ages:
1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.84 years
male:
72.33 years
female:
75.43 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Paraguayan(s)
adjective:
Paraguayan
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) 95%, whites plus Amerindians 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant denominations
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population:
92.1%
male:
93.5%
female:
90.6%
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:
Paraguay
local long form:
Republica del Paraguay
local short form:
Paraguay
Data code:
PA
Type of government:
republic
Capital:
Asuncion
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, 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 Days, 14-15 May (1811)
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; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993) were elected for five-year terms by popular vote; election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers was nominated by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores):
elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held by May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (80 total) Colorado Party 38, PLRA 33, EN 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER
Other political or pressure groups:
Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation:
AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jorge PRIETO CONTI
chancery:
2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX:
[1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general:
Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert E. SERVICE
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) 213-728
Flag:
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 the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy
Economic overview:
Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The formal economy is largely oriented toward services, but 45% of the population derive their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The economy has grown an average of 3% to 4% over the past five years. Population has increased at 3% a year over the same period leaving per capita income nearly stagnant. The informal sector is marked by both reexport of imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys, perfumes, cigarettes and office equipment) to neighboring countries as well as by the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. The Paraguayan Government has stated publicly that it will continue its economic reform agenda in close coordination with its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market) partners. In 1995, the government also promised to undertake efforts to formalize the financial sector, after a financial shock forced the bail-out of the second and third largest banks. Paraguay's continued integration into Mercosur also offers potential for growth; it is closely linked with the success of foreign investment promotion. Non-traditional exports, such as finished agricultural products, light manufactures, and small consumer items, are growing rapidly. Government reform efforts, including privatization, have continued, but with little success in 1995.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:
4.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:
$3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture:
25.7%
industry:
25.8%
services:
48.5% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.5% (1995)
Labor force:
1.692 million (1993 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate:
12% (1995)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.25 billion (1995 est.)
expenditures:
$1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries:
meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
6,530,000 kW
production:
26.5 billion kWh (1992)
consumption per capita:
NA
note:
much of the electricity produced in Paraguay is exported to Brazil and domestic consumption cannot be determined
Agriculture:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for Europe and the US
Exports:
$819.5 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities:
cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat products, coffee, tung oil
partners:
EU 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%
Imports:
$2.871 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw materials, fuels
partners:
Brazil 30%, EU 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%
External debt:
$1.38 billion (yearend 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient:
ODA, $38 million (1993)
Currency:
1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
guaranies (G) per US$ - 2,003.8 (January 1996), 1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992), 1,325.2 (1991)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Transportation
Railways:
total:
971 km
standard gauge:
441 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:
60 km 1.000-m gauge
other:
470 km various gauges (privately owned)
Highways:
total:
21,834 km
paved:
1,778 km
unpaved:
20,056 km (1987 est.)
Waterways:
3,100 km
Ports:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:
total:
16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,323 GRT/23,907 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 13, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total:
739
with paved runways over 3 047 m:
3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m:
2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m:
4
with paved runways under 914 m:
438
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m:
1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m:
25
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m:
266 (1995 est.)
Communications
Telephones:
88,730 (1985 est.)
Telephone system:
meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion
domestic:
fair microwave radio relay network
international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios:
775,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations:
5
Televisions:
370,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
Branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49:
1,334,638
males fit for military service:
968,297
males reach military age (17) annually:
58,398 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $94 million, 0.6% of GDP (1994)
