@Paraguay (South America)
Introduction ::Paraguay
Background:
Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the
disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay
and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all
adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated
economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of
1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco
lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo
STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in
political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively
free and regular presidential elections since then.
Geography ::Paraguay
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 406,752 sq km
country comparison to the world: 59
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
subtropical to temperate; 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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 7.47%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 92.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
336 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly
drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal
pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
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: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population
concentrated in southern part of country
People ::Paraguay
Population:
6,375,830 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560)
15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 24.7 years
female: 25.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.31% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Birth rate:
17.73 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Death rate:
4.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
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: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 88
male: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.99 years
country comparison to the world: 72
male: 73.39 years
female: 78.71 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.16 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other
or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 106
Government ::Paraguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends
second Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,
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 Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
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; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15
August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15
August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on
20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president;
percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR
30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the
Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of
Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to
be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20 April
2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3;
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party
- ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3; note - as of 1
January 2010, the composition of the Chamber of Deputies is ANR 30,
PLRA 29, UNACE 15, PPQ 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges
proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la
Magistratura, and approved by the Senate and president)
Political parties and leaders:
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or
APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado
Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or
Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos
Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved
Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido
del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES
Machado]; Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael Augusto
FILIZZOLA Serra]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando
CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Amanda
NUNEZ]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA
Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino
Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of
Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT
[Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation
or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge
Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA,
MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,
RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL,
UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rigoberto GAUTO Vielman
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), Los Angeles, Miami, New
York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
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) 228-603
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 a circular
seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and
the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes
bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and
blue denotes liberty and generosity
note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the
Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their
obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
National anthem:
name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic
or Death!)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; the anthem was officially
adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
Economy ::Paraguay
Economy - overview:
Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large
informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to
neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of
microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the
population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from
agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the
importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are
difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has
stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and
2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high
prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based
export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the
world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and
slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession.
The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity
prices caused exports to contract. The government reacted by
introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed at
a 6.5% level in 2010. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited
progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the
main obstacles to growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$30.94 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$29.06 billion (2009 est.)
$30.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$17.17 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
-3.8% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,900 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
$4,600 (2009 est.)
$4,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.8%
industry: 18.2%
services: 60.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.038 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
6.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
19.4% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 42.3% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
57.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Public debt:
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
24% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
2.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
20% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
20% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
28.26% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
25.81% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.6 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 115
$2.107 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$5.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
$4.057 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.395 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$3.607 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$409.1 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava
(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,
metallurgic, electric power
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - production:
53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - consumption:
8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - exports:
45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
31 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - consumption:
27,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - imports:
25,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Current account balance:
-$391 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
-$149.2 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.606 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$5.784 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather
Exports - partners:
Brazil 21%, Uruguay 17%, Chile 12%, Argentina 11%, Russia 4% (2009)
Imports:
$9.242 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$6.917 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,
electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
Imports - partners:
China 30%, Brazil 23%, Argentina 16%, US 5% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.082 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$3.862 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.346 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$3.883 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$2.153 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
$2.057 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,767.6 (2010), 4,965.4 (2009),
4,337.7 (2008), 5,031 (2007), 5,672.8 (2006)
Communications ::Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
387,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.619 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 89
Telephone system:
general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and
fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center
is in Asuncion
domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have
resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered
by competition among multiple providers
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
5 privately-owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community
radio stations broadcasting; 1 state-owned radio network (2007)
Internet country code:
.py
Internet hosts:
167,281 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 69
Internet users:
1.105 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94
Transportation ::Paraguay
Airports:
800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 9
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 785
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m: 470 (2010)
Railways:
total: 36 km
country comparison to the world: 132
standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 29,500 km
country comparison to the world: 98
paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)
Waterways:
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Parana river systems) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33
Merchant marine:
total: 23
country comparison to the world: 96
by type: cargo 15, carrier 1, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum
tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Military ::Paraguay
Military branches:
Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval
Aviation), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for
Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of
age with a secondary school diploma (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,640,761
females age 16-49: 1,637,460 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,375,610
females age 16-49: 1,400,597 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 72,455
female: 70,910 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Transnational Issues ::Paraguay
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is
locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics
trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed
in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean
cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe;
weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering
activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak
anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Peru (South America)
Introduction ::Peru
Background:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations,
most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the
Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in
1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen
years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in
1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent
insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in
a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and
significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless,
the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an
economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction
with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker
government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which
ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government -
Peru's first democratically elected president of Native American
ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan
GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985
to 1990, has overseen a robust macroeconomic performance.
Geography ::Peru
Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between
Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,285,216 sq km
country comparison to the world: 20
land: 1,279,996 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 7,461 km
border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km,
Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,414 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to
frigid in Andes
Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center
(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,
phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.88%
permanent crops: 0.47%
other: 96.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:
12,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,913 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 20.13 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%)