Located in the interior of southern South America, Paraguay is one of the smaller
countries of the continent, with an area of 157,048 square miles (406,752 square kilometers). Its
population is about 3.9 million. Argentina on the south and west, Brazil on the east, and Bolivia
on the west and north surround the country. The Argentina boundary is entirely of rivers, with
the Parana, Paraguay, and Pilcomayo half encircling the country. The Paraguay River cuts the
country into two parts and in its upper course forms much of the eastern boundary with Brazil.
West of the river is the Gran Chaco, with 60 percent of Paraguay's territory and less than 5
percent of its population.
Official Name. Republic of Paraguay.
Capital. Asuncion.
Area. 157,048 square miles (406,752 square kilometers).
Population (1993 estimate). 4,613,000; 29.4 persons per square mile (11.3 persons per
square kilometer); 50.5 percent urban, 49.5 percent rural.
Official Languages. Spanish, Guarani.
Major Religion. Roman Catholicism (official).
Literacy. 90.1 percent.
Highest Peak. In Cordillera de Amambay.
Major Rivers. Paraguay, Parana, Pilcomayo.
Form of Government. Republic.
Head of State and Government. President.
Legislature. National Congress.
Voting Qualification. Age 18.
Political Divisions. 19 departments and a federal district.
Major Cities (1992 census). Asuncion (502,426), Ciudad del Este (133,893), San Lorenzo
(133,311), Lambare (99,681), Fernando de la Mora (95,287).
Chief Manufactured and Mined Products. Woven cotton fabric; processed meat; naphtha;
gasoline; beer; soft drinks; cement; sugar; wheat flour; limestone; kaolin; gypsum.
Chief Agricultural Products. Crops cassava; sugarcane; soybeans; seed cotton; corn (maize);
oranges. Livestock cattle; pigs; chickens.
Monetary Unit. 1 Paraguayan Guarani = 100 centimos.
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Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 Compton's NewMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved