Paraguay ( Republica del Paraguay) is a country in Central South America, northeast of Argentina. Paraguay geographic coordinates 23 00 S, 58 00 W; area 397,300 sq km; area comparative slightly smaller than California; land boundaries Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km; coastline 0 km (landlocked); maritime claims none (landlocked); climate subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far; terrain grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly l; elevation extremes Cerro; natural resources hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone; land use 92.17% (2001); irrigated land 670 sq km (1998 est.); natural hazards local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early; environment current issues deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country;

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In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then. government type constitutional republic; capital Asuncion; administrative divisions 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro; independence 14 May 1811 (from Spain); national holiday Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May annually); constitution promulgated 20 June 1992; legal system based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75;

people

Paraguay population 6,347,884 (July 2005 est.); age structure 4.8% (male 140,935/female 164,053) (2005 est.); median age 21.46 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 2.48% (2005 est.); birth rate 29.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 30.37 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 77.55 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate 0.5% (2003 est.); hiv people with aids 15,000 (1999 est.); hiv deaths 600 (2003 est.); nationality Paraguayan; ethnic groups mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%; religions Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10%; languages Spanish (official), Guarani (official); literacy 93% (2003 est.);

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