República del Paraguay

Location south central South America
Bordered By Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia

Area 157,048 sq mi (406,752 sq km)
Greatest Distance N-S 575 mi (925 km)
Greatest Distance E-W 410 mi (660 km)
Highest Point Cerro Pero; 2,762 ft (842 m)
Lowest Point junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana; 151 ft (46 m)
Natural Resources hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Nationality Paraguayan
Population (July 2014 est) 6,703,860
Largest Cities Asunción
Ethnic Groups mestizo
Religions Roman Catholic
Languages Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Capital Asunción
Form of Government republic
Present Constitution Adopted June 20, 1992
Chief of State and Head of Government President Horacio Cartes (since August 15, 2013)
Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the President
Legislature bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Judiciary Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Local Administration 17 departments and 1 capital city

Currency Guarani
Per Capita Income $6,200
Principal Industries sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
Agricultural Products cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Export Commodities soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather
Import Commodities road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts

Independence Achieved May 14, 1811
From Spain
National Holiday Independence Day; May 14
Flag three equal, horizontal bands of red, white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity

SEE ALSO
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Spain

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This page was last updated on May 15, 2017.