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Communications

Airports [time series]

total: 969 usable: 827 with permanent-surface runways: 7 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 93

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 28,300 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: gravel 500 km; earth 25,200 km

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

3,100 km

Merchant marine [time series]

13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,747 GRT/19,513 DWT, cargo 11, oil tanker 2 note: 1 naval cargo ship is sometimes used commercially

Ports [time series]

Asuncion, Villeta, Ciudad del Este

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

970 km total; 440 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 60 km 1.000-meter gauge, 470 km various narrow gauge (privately owned)

Telecommunication systems (Telecommunications) [time series]

meager telephone service; principal switching center in Asuncion; fair intercity microwave net; 78,300 telephones; telephone density - 16 telephones per 1,000 persons; broadcast stations - 40 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 7 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (including Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.6% of GDP (1994 est.)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 1,249,470; fit for military service 907,533; reach military age (17) annually 53,126 (1994 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

accounts for 26% of GDP and 44% of labor force; cash crops - cotton, sugarcane, soybeans; other crops - corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables; animal products - beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producer of timber; self-sufficient in most foods

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.2 billion expenditures: $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $487 million (1992 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 5,257,000 kW production: 16.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,280 kWh (1992)

Exchange rates [time series]

guaranies (G) per US$ - 1,861.3 (January 1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992), 447.5 (March 1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8 (1990), 1,056.2 (1989), 550.00 (fixed rate 1986-February 1989)

Exports [time series]

$728 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: cotton, soybean, timber, vegetable oils, meat products, coffee, tung oil partners: EC 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$1.2 billion (1993 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; important transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for the US and Europe

Imports [time series]

$1.38 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw materials, fuels partners: Brazil 30%, EC 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate 2.2% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP

Industries [time series]

meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

20.4% (1993 )

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15.2 billion (1993 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$3,000 (1993 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

3.5% (1993 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Agriculture, including forestry, accounts for about 25% of GDP, employs about 45% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports, led by soybeans and cotton. Paraguay lacks substantial mineral or petroleum resources but possesses a large hydropower potential. Since 1981 economic performance has declined compared with the boom period of 1976-81, when real GDP grew at an average annual rate of nearly 11%. During the period 1982-86 real GDP fell in three of five years, inflation jumped to an annual rate of 32%, and foreign debt rose. Factors responsible for the erratic behavior of the economy were the completion of the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, bad weather for crops, and weak export prices for agricultural commodities. In 1987 the economy experienced a minor recovery because of improved weather conditions and stronger international prices for key agricultural exports. The recovery continued through 1990, on the strength of bumper crops in 1988-89. In a major step to increase its economic activity in the region, Paraguay in March 1991 joined the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR), which includes Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. In 1992, the government, through an unorthodox approach, reduced external debt with both commercial and official creditors by purchasing a sizable amount of the delinquent commercial debt in the secondary market at a substantial discount. The government had paid 100% of remaining official debt arrears to the US, Germany, France, and Spain. All commercial debt arrears have been rescheduled. For the long run, the government must press forward with general, market-oriented economic reforms. Growth of 3.5% in 1993 was spurred by higher-than-expected agricultural output and rising international commodity prices. Inflation picked up steam in fourth quarter 1993 because of rises in public sector salaries and utility rates.

Unemployment rate [time series]

11% (1993 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 406,750 sq km land area: 397,300 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

varies from temperate in east to semiarid in far west

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health hazards 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; signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been determined

Irrigated land [time series]

670 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total 3,920 km, Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 39% forest and woodland: 35% other: 5%

Location [time series]

Central South America, between Argentina and Brazil

Map references [time series]

South America, Standard Time Zones of the World

Maritime claims [time series]

none; landlocked

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Note [time series]

landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Chaco, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Nueva Asuncion, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Capital [time series]

Asuncion

Legislative branch (Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)) [time series]

elections last held on 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

Legislative branch (Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores)) [time series]

elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8

Constitution [time series]

25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that was promulgated on 20 June 1992

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Esteban AGUIRRE Martinez chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-6960 through 6962

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state and head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993); Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993); election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held May 1998); results - Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04% cabinet: Council of Ministers; nominated by the president

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

(202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: New Orleans and New York consulate(s): Miami

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[595] (21) 213-728

Flag [time series]

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)

Independence [time series]

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Congress (Congreso)

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay

National holiday [time series]

Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Colorado Party, Eugenio SANABRIA CANTERO, president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS (the EN party includes the following minor parties: Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60

Government type (Type) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Gerald McCOLLOCH embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion mailing address: C. P. 402, Asuncion, or APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715

People

Birth rate [time series]

32.03 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.48 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

mestizo (Spanish and Indian) 95%, white and Indian 5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

25.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.692 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture, industry and commerce, services, government (1986)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Guarani

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.28 years male: 71.74 years female: 74.9 years (1994 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 90% male: 92% female: 88%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Population [time series]

5,213,772 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.76% (1994 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant denominations

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.29 children born/woman (1994 est.)