PRD 10, PALA 1, PL 1; note - the PDC went into opposition after President
Guillermo ENDARA ousted the PDC from the coalition government in April 1991
Communists:
People's Party (PdP), mainline Communist party, did not obtain the necessary
3% of the total vote in the 1984 election to retain its legal status; about
3,000 members
Other political or pressure groups:
National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO); National Council of Private
Enterprise (CONEP); Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE);
National Civic Crusade; National Committee for the Right to Life
Member of:
AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Jaime FORD; Chancery at 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC
20008; telephone (202) 483-1407; the status of the Consulates General and
Consulates has not yet been determined
US:
Ambassador Deane R. HINTON; Embassy at Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado
6959, Panama City 5 (mailing address is Box E, APO AA 34002); telephone
(507) 27-1777; FAX (507) 27-1964
Flag:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white with a blue
five-pointed star in the center (hoist side) and plain red, the bottom
quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star
in the center
:Panama Economy
Overview:
GDP expanded by roughly 9.3% in 1991, following growth of 4.6% in 1990 and a
0.4% contraction in 1989. Delay in coming to terms with the international
financial institutions on policies to implement structural reform in Panama
generated uncertainty in the private sector and tempered the pace of
business expansion in 1991. Public investment was limited as the
administration kept the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP. Unemployment and
economic reform are the two major issues the government must face in
1992-93.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $2,040; real growth rate
9.3% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.0% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
17% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital
expenditures of $140 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$380 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
bananas 28%, shrimp 14%, sugar 12%, clothing 5%, coffee 4%
partners:
US 44%, Central America and Caribbean, EC (1991 est.)
Imports:
$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
capital goods 13%, crude oil 12%, foodstuffs 10%, consumer goods, chemicals
(1990)
partners:
US 37%, Japan, EC, Central America and Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela (1989
est.)
External debt:
$5.4 billion (December 1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.2% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 9.4% of GDP
Electricity:
1,135,000 kW capacity; 3,397 million kWh produced, 1,372 kWh per capita
(1991)
Industries:
manufacturing and construction activities, petroleum refining, brewing,
cement and other construction material, sugar mills
Agriculture:
accounts for 12% of GDP (1991 est.), 25% of labor force (1989); crops -
bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of food
grain, vegetables
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $516 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $582 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $4 million
Currency:
balboa (plural - balboas); 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates:
balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Panama Communications
Railroads:
238 km total; 78 km 1.524-meter gauge, 160 km 0.914-meter gauge
Highways:
8,530 km total; 2,745 km paved, 3,270 km gravel or crushed stone, 2,515 km
improved and unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
Pipelines:
crude oil 130 km
Ports:
Cristobal, Balboa, Puerto de La Bahia de Las Minas
Merchant marine:
3,004 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 41,314,623 GRT/73,325,176 DWT;
includes 20 passenger, 22 short-sea passenger, 3 passenger-cargo, 1,046
cargo, 205 refrigerated cargo, 175 container, 65 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 111
vehicle carrier, 9 livestock carrier, 4 multifunction large-load carrier,
340 petroleum tanker, 177 chemical tanker, 23 combination ore/oil, 101
liquefied gas, 8 specialized tanker, 659 bulk, 35 combination bulk, 1 barge
carrier; note - all but 5 are foreign owned and operated; the top 4 foreign
owners are Japan 36%, Greece 8%, Hong Kong 8%, and the US 7%; (China owns at
least 128 ships, Vietnam 4, former Yugoslavia 4, Cuba 4, Cyprus 5, and the
republics of the former USSR 12)
Civil air:
5 major transport aircraft
Airports:
112 total, 102 usable; 39 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways
over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
domestic and international facilities well developed; connection into
Central American Microwave System; 220,000 telephones; broadcast stations -
91 AM, no FM, 23 TV; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite ground stations -
2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Panama Defense Forces
Branches:
note - the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) ceased to exist as a military
institution shortly after the United States invaded Panama on 20 December
1989; President ENDARA has restructured the forces into a civilian police
service under the new name of Panamanian Public Forces (PPF); a Council of
Public Security and National Defense under Menalco SOLIS in the office of
the president coordinates the activities of the security forces; the
Institutional Protection Service under Carlos BARES is attached to the
presidency
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 661,101; 455,412 fit for military service; no conscription
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $75.5 million, 1.5% of GDP (1990)
:Papua New Guinea Geography
Total area:
461,690 km2
Land area:
451,710 km2
Comparative area:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
820 km; Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:
5,152 km
Maritime claims:
(measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)
Continental shelf:
200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to
October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Natural resources:
gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil potential
Land use:
arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest
and woodland 71%; other 28%
Environment:
one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast; some active volcanos;
frequent earthquakes
Note:
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia
:Papua New Guinea People
Population:
4,006,509 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992)
Birth rate:
34 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
67 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
55 years male, 56 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
4.9 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Papua New Guinean(s); adjective - Papua New Guinean
Ethnic divisions:
predominantly Melanesian and Papuan; some Negrito, Micronesian, and
Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary
Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%,
other Protestant sects 10%; indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages:
715 indigenous languages; English spoken by 1-2%, pidgin English widespread,
Motu spoken in Papua region
Literacy:
52% (male 65%, female 38%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
NA
Organized labor:
more than 50 trade unions, some with fewer than 20 members
:Papua New Guinea Government
Long-form name:
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Port Moresby
Administrative divisions:
20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East
Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New
Ireland, Northern, North Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western,
Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:
16 September 1975 (from UN trusteeship under Australian administration)
Constitution:
16 September 1975
Legal system:
based on English common law
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
National Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (sometimes referred to as the House of
Assembly)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General
Wiwa KOROWI (since NA November 1991)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Paias WINGTI (since 17 July 1992)
Political parties and leaders:
Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Party), Rabbie NAMALIU; People's
Democratic Movement (PDM), Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), Akoka
DOI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul
TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul PORA;
Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
National Parliament:
last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent by
party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10,
independents 30, others 18
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM
(observer), SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Margaret TAYLOR; Chancery at 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 745-3680
US:
Ambassador Robert W. FARRAND; Embassy at Armit Street, Port Moresby (mailing
address is P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, or APO AE 96553); telephone [675]
211-455 or 594, 654; FAX [675] 213-423
:Papua New Guinea Government
Flag:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red
with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black
with five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation
centered
:Papua New Guinea Economy
Overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation
has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing an
infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the
population. Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts
for about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and
development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy.
Robust growth in 1991 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a large
new gold mine featured in the advance.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, per capita $800; real growth rate
9% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.8% (first half 1991)
Unemployment rate:
5% (1988)
Budget:
revenues $1.26 billion; expenditures $1.46 billion, including capital
expenditures of $273 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$1.14 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
copper ore, gold, coffee, logs, palm oil, cocoa, lobster
partners:
FRG, Japan, Australia, UK, Spain, US
Imports:
$1.18 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, food, fuels, chemicals, consumer goods
partners:
Australia, Singapore, Japan, US, New Zealand, UK
External debt:
$2.2 billion (April 1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.4% (1990 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
397,000 kW capacity; 1,510 million kWh produced, 400 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
copra crushing, oil palm processing, plywood processing, wood chip
production, gold, silver, copper, construction, tourism
Agriculture:
one-third of GDP; livelihood for 85% of population; fertile soils and
favorable climate permits cultivating a wide variety of crops; cash crops -
coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels; other products - tea, rubber, sweet
potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork; net importer of food for urban
centers
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $40.6 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.5 billion; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $17 million
Currency:
kina (plural - kina); 1 kina (K) = 100 toea
Exchange rates:
kina (K) per US$1 - 1.0413 (March 1992), 1.0508 (1991), 1.0467 (1990),
1.1685 (1989), 1.1538 (1988), 1.1012 (1987)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Papua New Guinea Communications
Railroads:
none
Highways:
19,200 km total; 640 km paved, 10,960 km gravel, crushed stone, or
stabilized-soil surface, 7,600 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
10,940 km
Ports:
Anewa Bay, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,102 GRT/16,016 DWT; includes 2
cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 combination ore/oil, 1 bulk, 1 container
Civil air:
about 15 major transport aircraft
Airports:
503 total, 460 usable; 18 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways
over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 39 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiobroadcast,
radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and
international radiocommunication services; submarine cables extend to
Australia and Guam; 51,700 telephones (1985); broadcast stations - 31 AM, 2
FM, 2 TV (1987); 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Papua New Guinea Defense Forces
Branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force)
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 1,013,812; 564,081 fit for military service
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $42 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Paracel Islands Geography
Total area:
NA
Land area:
undetermined
Comparative area:
undetermined
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
518 km
Maritime claims:
undetermined
Disputes:
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
undetermined
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and
woodland 0%; other 100%
Environment:
subject to typhoons
Note:
located 400 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea about one-third of the
way between Vietnam and the Philippines
:Paracel Islands People
Population:
no permanent inhabitants
:Paracel Islands Government
Long-form name:
none
:Paracel Islands Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
:Paracel Islands Communications
Ports:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island currently
under expansion
Airports:
1 on Woody Island
:Paracel Islands Defense Forces
Note:
occupied by China
:Paraguay Geography
Total area:
406,750 km2
Land area:
397,300 km2
Comparative area:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
3,920 km total; Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline:
none - landlocked
Maritime claims:
none - landlocked
Disputes:
short section of the boundary with Brazil (just west of Guaira Falls on the
Rio Parana) has not been determined
Climate:
varies from temperate in east to semiarid in 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
Natural resources:
iron ore, manganese, limestone, hydropower, timber
Land use:
arable land 20%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest and
woodland 35%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL%
Environment:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains
may become boggy (early October to June)
Note:
landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil
:Paraguay People
Population:
4,929,446 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)
Birth rate:
33 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
28 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
71 years male, 74 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
4.4 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Paraguayan(s); adjective - Paraguayan
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (Spanish and Indian) 95%, white and Indian 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%; Mennonite and other Protestant denominations
Languages:
Spanish (official) and Guarani
Literacy:
90% (male 92%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
1,418,000 (1991 est.); agriculture, industry and commerce, services,
government (1986)
Organized labor:
about 2% of labor force
:Paraguay Government
Long-form name:
Republic of Paraguay
Type:
republic
Capital:
Asuncion
Administrative divisions:
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
Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
Constitution:
25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that was
promulgated on 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
National holiday:
Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)
Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of State
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of
Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies
(Camara de Diputados)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Gen. Andres RODRIGUEZ Pedotti (since 15 May 1989)
Political parties and leaders:
Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, acting president; Authentic Radical
Liberal Party (PLRA), Juan Manuel BENITEZ Florentin; Christian Democratic
Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Victor
BAREIRO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER
Suffrage:
universal and compulsory at age 18 and up to age 60
Elections:
President:
last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Gen.
RODRIGUEZ 75.8%, Domingo LAINO 19.4%
Chamber of Senators:
last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1993); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (36 total) Colorado Party 24, PLRA 10, PLR 1, PRF
1
Chamber of Deputies:
last held on 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1994); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) Colorado Party 48, PLRA 19, PRF 2,
PDC 1, other 2
Communists:
Oscar CREYDT faction and Miguel Angel SOLER faction (both illegal); 3,000 to
4,000 (est.) party members and sympathizers in Paraguay, very few are hard
core; party beginning to return from exile is small and deeply divided
Other political or pressure groups:
Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church
:Paraguay Government
Member of:
AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre MARTINEZ; Chancery at 2400 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-6960 through 6962;
there are Paraguayan Consulates General in New Orleans and New York, and a
Consulate in Houston
US:
Ambassador Jon D. GLASSMAN; Embassy at 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion
(mailing address is C. P. 402, Asuncion, or 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)
:Paraguay Economy
Overview:
Agriculture, including forestry, accounts for about 25% of GDP, employs
about 45% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports. Paraguay has
no known significant mineral or petroleum resources but does have 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
international commodity prices for agricultural exports. 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. During 1991 the government began to more
seriously address its arrearages with international creditors and its
domestic fiscal problems. Inflation was cut in third, but the foreign trade
deficit widened to more than $1 billion. For the long run, the government
must press forward with general market-oriented economic reforms.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $7.0 billion, per capita $1,460; real growth rate
3.0% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.2 billion, including capital
expenditures of $487 million (1991)
Exports:
$642 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
cotton, soybean, timber, vegetable oils, coffee, tung oil, meat products
partners:
EC 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%
Imports:
$1.85 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
capital goods 35%, consumer goods 20%, fuels and lubricants 19%, raw
materials 16%, foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco 10%
partners:
Brazil 30%, EC 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%
External debt:
$1.7 billion (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.9% (1989 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP
Electricity:
5,578,000 kW capacity; 15,447 million kWh produced, 3,219 kWh per capita
(1991)
Industries:
meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light
consumer goods, cement, construction
Agriculture:
accounts for 25% of GDP and 44% of labor force; cash crops - cotton,
sugarcane; other crops - corn, wheat, tobacco, soybeans, cassava, fruits,
and vegetables; animal products - beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producer
of timber; self-sufficient in most foods
:Paraguay Economy
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; important
transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for the US and Europe
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $172 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion
Currency:
guarani (plural - guaranies); 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
guaranies (G) per US$ - 1,447.5 (March 1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8
(1990), 1,056.2 (1989), 550.00 (fixed rate 1986-February 1989),
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Paraguay Communications