Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/187.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 13KB | 330 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Paragua.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Paraguay"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Paraguay, click {z,"-63.644756,-28.157508,-51.327275,-18.820702",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Central South America, northeast of Argentina

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 406,750 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 397,300 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly smaller than California

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 3,920 km
{3}border countries:{4} Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 0 km (landlocked)

{2}Maritime claims:{4} none (landlocked)

{2}International disputes:{4} short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira
(Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been determined

{2}Climate:{4} subtropical; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

{2}Terrain:{4} 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
{3}lowest point:{4} junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
{3}highest point:{4} Cerro San Rafael 850 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 20%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 1%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 39%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 35%
{3}other:{4} 5%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 670 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of forest land have been lost from
1958-85); water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many
urban residents

{2}natural hazards:{4} local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may
become boggy (early October to June)

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of
the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands

{2}Geographic note:{4} landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 5,504,146 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 41% (male 1,144,644; female 1,096,430)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 55% (male 1,518,661; female 1,513,577)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 4% (male 106,121; female 124,713) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 2.67% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 30.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.04 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.85 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 73.84 years
{3}male:{4} 72.33 years
{3}female:{4} 75.43 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 4.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Paraguayan(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Paraguayan

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) 95%, whites plus Amerindians 5%

{2}Religions:{4} Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant denominations

{2}Languages:{4} Spanish (official), Guarani

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 92.1%
{3}male:{4} 93.5%
{3}female:{4} 90.6%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Paraguay
{3}conventional short form:{4} Paraguay
{3}local long form:{4} Republica del Paraguay
{3}local short form:{4} Paraguay

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Asuncion

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto
Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central,
Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San
Pedro

{2}Independence:{4} 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)

{2}Constitution:{4} promulgated 20 June 1992

{2}Legal system:{4} 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

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993)
and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993) were elected for five-year
terms by popular vote; election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results -
Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS
23.04%
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was nominated by the president

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA
May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17,
EN 8
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 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

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), judges appointed on the
proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, president; Authentic Radical
Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO
VARGAS; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary Party
(PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church

{2}International organization participation:{4} AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Jorge PRIETO CONTI
{3}chancery:{4} 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone] through 6962
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Miami and New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Robert E. SERVICE
{3}embassy:{4} 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
{3}mailing address:{4} Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
{3}telephone:{4} [595] (21) 213-715
{3}FAX:{4} [595] (21) 213-728

{2}Flag:{4} 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)


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The
formal economy is largely oriented toward services, but 45% of the population derive their living
from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The economy has grown an average of 3%
to 4% over the past five years. Population has increased at 3% a year over the same period
leaving per capita income nearly stagnant. The informal sector is marked by both reexport of
imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys, perfumes, cigarettes and office equipment) to
neighboring countries as well as by the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban
street vendors. The Paraguayan Government has stated publicly that it will continue its economic
reform agenda in close coordination with its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market) partners.
In 1995, the government also promised to undertake efforts to formalize the financial sector, after
a financial shock forced the bail-out of the second and third largest banks. Paraguay's continued
integration into Mercosur also offers potential for growth; it is closely linked with the success of
foreign investment promotion. Non-traditional exports, such as finished agricultural products, light
manufactures, and small consumer items, are growing rapidly. Government reform efforts,
including privatization, have continued, but with little success in 1995.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 4.2% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $3,200 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 25.7%
{3}industry:{4} 25.8%
{3}services:{4} 48.5% (1994)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 10.5% (1995)

{2}Labor force:{4} 1.692 million (1993 est.)
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 45%

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 12% (1995)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $1.25 billion (1995 est.)
{3}expenditures:{4} $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods,
cement, construction

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 1.3% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 6,530,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 26.5 billion kWh (1992)
{3}consumption per capita:{4} NA
{3}note:{4} much of the electricity produced in Paraguay is exported to Brazil and domestic
consumption cannot be determined

{2}Agriculture:{4} cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits,
vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transshipment point for
Bolivian cocaine headed for Europe and the US

{2}Exports:{4} $819.5 million (f.o.b., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat products, coffee, tung oil
{3}partners:{4} EU 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%

{2}Imports:{4} $2.871 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw materials, fuels
{3}partners:{4} Brazil 30%, EU 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%

{2}External debt:{4} $1.38 billion (yearend 1995)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $38 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos

{2}Exchange rates:{4} guaranies (G) per US$ - 2,003.8 (January 1996), 1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994),
1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992), 1,325.2 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 971 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge
{3}other:{4} 470 km various gauges (privately owned)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 21,834 km
{3}paved:{4} 1,778 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 20,056 km (1987 est.)

{2}Waterways:{4} 3,100 km

{2}Ports:{4} Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,323 GRT/23,907 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 13, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 739
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 438
{3}with unpaved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 25
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 266 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 88,730 (1985 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion
{3}domestic:{4} fair microwave radio relay network
{3}international:{4} satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7

{2}Radios:{4} 775,000 (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 5

{2}Televisions:{4} 370,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 1,334,638
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 968,297
males reach military age (17) annually: 58,398 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $94 million, 0.6% of GDP (1994)