Paraguay
Independence date: May 14-15, 1811
Country name: Republic of Paraguay
Capital: Asuncion
Government type: Republic
BASIC FACTS
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 seventeen 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.
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
Languages 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: MARIO ABDO BENITEZ