Paraguay

Paraguay

area:	406,750sq km (157,046sq mi)
population:	5,496,560
capital (population):	Asunción (546,800)
government:	Multiparty republic
ethnic groups:	Mestizo 90%, Native American 3%
languages:	Spanish and Guaraní (both official)
religions:	Christianity (Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%)
currency:	Guaraní = 100 céntimos

Landlocked republic in central South America; the capital is Asunción.

Land and Climate

The River Paraguay bisects the country. The majority of the population live between the e bank of the River Paraguay and the River Paraná, which forms the s border with Argentina. The s has extensive marshes. West of the River Paraguay is part of the Gran Chaco, a flat grassy plain that extends into Bolivia and Argentina. The s is subtropical. Rainfall is heaviest in the se Paraná plateau. The Chaco is the driest and hottest part of Paraguay. Paraguay is a country of coarse grass, shrub and scrub forest, with some hardwood forests.

History

The earliest known inhabitants of Paraguay were the Guaraní. Spanish and Portuguese explorers reached the area in the early 16th century. In 1537, a Spanish expedition built a fort at Asunción, which became the capital of Spain's colonies in se South America. From the late 16th century, Jesuit missionaries worked to protect the Guaraní from colonial exploitation and to convert them to Christianity. In 1767, the Spanish king expelled the Jesuits. In 1776, Paraguay became part of the colony of the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. Paraguayan opposition intensified, and Paraguay declared independence in 1811. Dictatorships dominate much of Paraguay's post-colonial history. The disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865–70) against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay killed more than 50% of Paraguay's population and resulted in great loss of territory. Border disputes with Bolivia led to the Chaco War (1932–35) in which Paraguay regained some land. In 1954, General Alfredo Stroessner led a successful military coup. His dictatorial regime suppressed all political opposition. In 1989, shortly after re-election for an eighth successive term, Stroessner was overthrown by General Andrés Rodríguez. In 1993 multiparty elections, Juan Carlos Wasmosy became Paraguay's first civilian president since 1954. In 1996, General Lino Oviedo was imprisoned for leading an attempted military coup. In 1999, President Raúl Cubas released Oviedo. The assassination of Vice President, Luis María Argaña, led to riots and the killing of four pro-democracy demonstrators. Raúl Cubas resigned and Luis González Macchi succeeded him.

Economy

Agriculture and forestry are the leading activities, employing 48% of the workforce (2000 GDP per capita, US$4750). Paraguay has large cattle ranches, and many crops are grown in the fertile soils of e Paraguay. Paraguay is the world's seventh-largest producer of soya beans. Other crops include cassava, cotton, and coffee. Major exports include timber, coffee, tannin, and meat products. In 1991, construction finished on the world's largest hydroelectric dam, the Itaipú Dam on the River Paraná. The dam is 8km (5mi) in length and 196m (643ft) high.

Political map

Physical map