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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

4 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Radios [time series]

925,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion domestic: fair microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

167,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

15,807 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

10 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

515,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (1995 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos

Debt - external [time series]

$2.7 billion (1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derive their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97, but GDP declined slightly in 1998 and 1999. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure. Growth should recover in 2000, perhaps to 2%.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.494 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

45.307 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

50.324 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 0.12% hydro: 99.66% nuclear: 0% other: 0.22% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

guarani (G) per US$ - 3.332.0 (January 2000), 3,119.1 (1999), 2,726.5 (1998), 2,177.9 (1997), 2,056.8 (1996), 1,963.0 (1995); note - since early 1998, the exchange rate has operated as a managed float; prior to that, the exchange rate was determined freely in the market

Exports [time series]

$3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil, Argentina, EU

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $19.9 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 28% industry: 21% services: 51% (1999 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $3,650 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-1% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 46.6% (1995)

Imports [time series]

$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery

Imports - partners [time series]

Brazil 34%, US, Argentina, Uruguay, EU, Hong Kong (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-4% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5% (1999)

Labor force [time series]

1.7 million (1996)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 45%

Population below poverty line [time series]

32% (1997-98 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

12% (1998 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 406,750 sq km land: 397,300 sq km water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of forest land were lost from 1958-85); water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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: Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic coordinates [time series]

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil

Irrigated land [time series]

670 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 55% forests and woodland: 32% other: 7% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

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]

17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and one capital city; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion (city), Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Capital [time series]

Asuncion

Constitution [time series]

promulgated 20 June 1992

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephan G. MCFARLAND 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Esteban AGUIRRE MARTINEZ 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), Miami, New Orleans, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March 1999); vice president (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March 1999); vice president (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003) election results: Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent of vote - 55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999 note: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi, formerly president of the Chamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBAS Grau, who resigned after being impeached soon after the assassination of Vice President Luis Maria ARGANA; the successor to ARGANA will be decided in an election expected to be held in August 2000

Flag (Flag description) [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)

Government type [time series]

constitutional republic

Independence [time series]

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia, judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura

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 or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Colorado Party 25, PLRA 13, PEN 7; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Colorado Party 45, PLRA 26, PEN 9

National holiday [time series]

Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)

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

Authentic Radical Liberal Party or PLRA [Julio Cesar "Yolito" FRANCO]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Miguel MONTANER]; Febrerista Revolutionary Party or PRF [Carlos Maria LJUBETIC]; National Encounter or PEN [Mario PAZ Castaing]; National Republican Association - Colorado Party [acting president Bader RACHID LICHI]

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

National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$125 million (FY98)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.4% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,349,800 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 974,313 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 56,701 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 39% (male 1,109,887; female 1,074,815) 15-64 years: 56% (male 1,574,978; female 1,563,872) 65 years and over: 5% (male 120,662; female 141,614) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

31.27 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.81 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

30.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Guarani (spoken by most of rural population)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.68 years male: 71.22 years female: 76.27 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.1% male: 93.5% female: 90.6% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

5,585,828 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.64% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.16 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in South America; transshipment country for Bolivian cocaine headed for Southern Cone markets and Europe and a limited amount to the US [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

937 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 927 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 29 914 to 1,523 m: 346 under 914 m: 551 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 29,500 km paved: 15,000 km unpaved: 14,500 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,287 GRT/32,510 DWT ships by type: cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 4, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1999 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Railways [time series]

total: 971 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge note: there are 470 km of various gauges that are privately owned

Waterways [time series]

3,100 km