| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
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. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, Paraguay won large, economically important areas from Bolivia. 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.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Paraguay is a constitutional democracy with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are adequate in the capital city of Asuncion, but they vary greatly in quality and prices. Travelers outside Asuncion should consider seeking travel agency assistance, as satisfactory or adequate tourist facilities are very limited in other major cities and almost nonexistent in remote areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Paraguay for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. U.S. citizens traveling to Paraguay must submit completed visa applications in person or by ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Paraguayan(s).
Population (2006 est.): 6,506,464.
Annual population growth rate (2006 est.): 2.45%.
Ethnic groups: Mixed Spanish and Indian descent (mestizo) 95%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%; Mennonite and other Protestant denominations.
Languages: Spanish (language of business and government), Guarani (spoken and understood by 90% of the population).
Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--92%. Literacy--94%. (UNICEF)
... Read this Article
| |
Location: Paraguay is Central South America, northeast of Argentina See Map
Capital: name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): guarani (PYG) ...More
Area: total: 406,750 sq km , land: 397,300 sq km , water: 9,450 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly smaller than California
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m , highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 6,831,306 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 5.6% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religion: 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)
More Statistics
|
| History
Pre-Columbian civilization in the fertile, wooded region that is now Paraguay consisted of numerous seminomadic, Guarani-speaking tribes, who were recognized for their fierce warrior traditions. They practiced a mythical polytheistic religion, which later blended with Christianity. Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar founded Asuncion on the Feast Day of the ... Read this Article
|
| Geographic Info for Paraguay : |
Geography
Area: 406,752 sq. km. (157,047 sq. mi.); about the size of California.
Cities: Capital--Asuncion (pop. 539,000). Other cities--Ciudad del Este, Concepción, Encarnación, Pedro Juan Caballero, Coronel Oviedo.
Terrain: East of the Paraguay River there are grassy plains, wooded hills, tropical forests; west of the Paraguay River (Chaco region) is low, ... Read this Article
|
