Information
Country name: Republic of Paraguay
Capital: Asunción
Independence date: May 14-15, 1811
Geographical Location: Paraguay is a landlocked country between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, home to large swaths of swampland, subtropical forest and chaco, wildernesses comprising savanna and scrubland. The capital, Asunción, on the banks of the Paraguay River, is home to the grand Government Palace and the Museo del Barro, displaying pre-Columbian ceramics and ñandutí lacework, the latter available in many shops.
Area: 406,750 km2
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.
Government type: Republic
State divisions: Executive Power
Congress: (2 Chambers), Judicial Power
Administrative divisions: 17 Departments
Elections: Every 5 years (last 2003)
President: Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara
GNI per capita: 7,670 PPP dollars (2013)
Currency: guarani (G) 6,180 = 1.00 US$
Official languages: Paraguayan Guaraní, Spanish
Population: 6.802.122 inhabitants 2013 (Source: World Bank)
- Urban Population: 56.1%
- Rural Population: 43.1%
- Population Growth: 2.3%