Paraguay

In the early 16th century Europeans arrived in the area inhabited by seminomadic Guarani-speaking tribes called Cayua or Caingua, "men of the forest". In 1537 the Spaniards founded Asuncion which became the center of a Spanish colonial province. Paraguay declared its independence by overthrowing the local Spanish authorities in 1811.
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance fought between Paraguay and the allied countries of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (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, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.

border countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil
related countries: Spain

Official Name:
República del Paraguay
short form: Paraguay
int'l long form: Republic of Paraguay

ISO Country Code: py

Local Time = UTC -4h

Country Calling Code: +595

Capital City: Asunción (pop. 612 000)

Other Cities:
Ciudad del Este, San Lorenzo, Capiatá, Fernando de la Mora, Encarnación.

Government:
Type: Constitutional Republic.
Independence: May 1811 (from Spain).
Constitution: June 1992.

Geography:
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Area: 406,752 sq. km. (157,047 sq. mi.)
Terrain: East of the Paraguay River--grassy plains, wooded hills, tropical forests; west of the Paraguay River (Chaco region)--low, flat, marshy plain.

Climate: Temperate east of the Paraguay River, semiarid to the west.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Paraguayan(s).
Population: 5 735 000
Ethnic groups: Mixed Spanish and Amerindian (mestizo) 95%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%; Mennonite and other Protestant denominations.
Languages: Spanish, Guaraní.
Literacy: 91.6%.

Natural resources: Hydroelectric sites, forests.
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.

Exports partners: Brazil 34.2%, Uruguay 19.6%, Switzerland 7.8%, Argentina 5.3% (2003)

Imports partners: Brazil 32.5%, Argentina 21.6%, China 12.7% (2003)

Currency: Guaraní (PYG)