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PARAGUAY

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

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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%

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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)

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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

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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.)

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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.)

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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)

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