Description:
Paraguay is a landlocked country surrounded by Argentina,
Bolivia and Brazil, lying some 1,440km (900 miles) up the River
Paran?? from the Atlantic. The River Paraguay, a tributary of the
Paran??, divides the country into two sharply contrasting regions.
The Oriental zone, which covers 159,800 sq km (61,700 sq miles),
consists of undulating country intersected by chains of hills rising
to about 600m (2,000ft), merging into the Mato Grosso Plateau in the
north; the Paran?? crosses the area in the east and south.
East and southeast of Asunci?�n lie the oldest centres of settlement
inhabited by the greater part of the population. This area is
bordered to the west by rolling pastures, and to the south by thick
primeval forests. The Occidental zone, or Paraguayan Chaco, covers
246,827 sq km (95,300 sq miles). It is a flat alluvial plain,
composed mainly of grey clay, which is marked by large areas of
permanent swamp in the southern and eastern regions. Apart from a
few small settlements, it is sparsely populated.
6.7 million (CIA estimate 2007).
language:
The official languages are Spanish and Guaran?�; Guaran?� is
spoken by most of the rural population. Most Paraguayans are
bilingual, but prefer to speak Guaran?� outside Asunci?�n.
Climate:
Subtropical with rapid changes in temperature throughout the year.
Summer (December to March) can be very hot. Winter (June to September)
is mild with few cold days. Rainfall is heaviest from December to
March
Economy - overview:
Paraguay's agriculture plays an important part in its economy,
supplying one-quarter of GNP and almost all the country's export
earnings. Production of Paraguay's principal cash crops, cotton and
soya, expanded rapidly during the late 1980s and continues to grow
annually. Other crops such as sugar cane, maize and wheat are also
grown on a commercial scale.
Hydroelectric projects, undertaken jointly with Brazil and including
the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu, have made Paraguay
self-sufficient in energy.
External factors, notably the economic crises in Argentina and Brazil,
have also played an important role. Annual growth is at 4% (2006) with
unemployment at 9.4% (2005). In July 2002, the IMF offered a US$200
million support package: the government was unable or unwilling to
meet the loan conditions however, and relations with the IMF are now
effectively frozen.
Paraguay is a member of the 11-strong Latin American Integration
Association (Asociaci?�n Latinoamericana de Integraci?�n, ALADI),
which seeks to promote free trade and economic development within
Latin America.
Economy:
Paraguay's agriculture plays an important part in its economy,
supplying one-quarter of GNP and almost all the country's export
earnings. Production of Paraguay's principal cash crops, cotton and
soya, expanded rapidly during the late 1980s and continues to grow
annually. Other crops such as sugar cane, maize and wheat are also
grown on a commercial scale.
Hydroelectric projects, undertaken jointly with Brazil and including
the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu, have made Paraguay
self-sufficient in energy.
External factors, notably the economic crises in Argentina and Brazil,
have also played an important role. Annual growth is at 4% (2006) with
unemployment at 9.4% (2005). In July 2002, the IMF offered a US$200
million support package: the government was unable or unwilling to
meet the loan conditions however, and relations with the IMF are now
effectively frozen.
Paraguay is a member of the 11-strong Latin American Integration
Association (Asociaci?�n Latinoamericana de Integraci?�n, ALADI),
which seeks to promote free trade and economic development within
Latin America.
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood
products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
Exports:
Electricity, soyabeans, cotton, meat, leather and timber.
• Main trade partners: China, Brazil,
Argentina, Russia and Uruguay.
Imports:
Petroleum, machinery, road vehicles, tobacco and consumer goods.
Exchange rates:
Guaran?� (PYG; symbol Gs). Notes are in denominations of
Gs100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000. Coins are in
denominations of Gs500, 100, 50, 10 and 5.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/222/money/South-America/Paraguay.html
GDP :
US$7.8 billion (2006).
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