Country Profile
Paraguay
- Independence date: May 14-15, 1811
- Country name: Republic of Paraguay
- Capital: Asuncion
- Government type: Republic
Area: 406,750 km 2
Geographical Location : Located in the South American continent, its bordered by Bolivia to the North and Northeast; by Brazil to the East, and by Argentina to the South and West.
CLIMATE
The climate in Paraguay can be distinguished in two seasons: a warm, rainy season with an average temperature of 31ºC to 38ºC, and predominant winds from the Northwest that bring a lot of rain to the country; and a cold, dry season, with little rain, predominant winds from the South, and an average temperature that ranges from 0ºC to 14.5ºC.
ORGANIZATION OF ITS TERRITORY
The Paraguay River divides the territory of the country in two great natural regions: the Oriental Region and the Occidental Region. Politically, the Paraguayan State is divided into a Capital District (the city of Asuncion ) and 17 departments.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The country offers mainly water, hydro electrical, and forest resources, as well as, great agriculture and livestock raising opportunities. It also has reserves of natural gas and non-ferrous minerals.
POPULATION DENSITY
14 hab/km 2
LANGUAGE THAT ARE SPOKEN IN THE COUNTRY
Spanish is the country’s official language; the guarani, a language considered national patrimony, is also wildly spoken.
CURRENCY
Guarani (G) 6,180 = 1.00 US$
DEMOGRAPHIC FACTS AND SOCIAL INDICATORS
Executive Branch -Chief of State and Head of Government:
- Population: 6.451.122 inhabitantes (Source: Dirección General de Estadística, Encuestas y Censos)
- Urban Population: 56.1%
- Rural Population: 43.1%
- Population Growth: 2.3%
- State divisions: Executive Power
- Congress (2 Chambers), Judicial Power
- Administrative divisions: 17 Departments
- Elections: Every 5 years (last 2003)
President: HORACIO MANUEL CARTES JARA.