Paraguay
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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Central South America, northeast of Argentina |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than California |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia
750 km, Brazil 1,290 km |
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Ethnic groups:
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mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95% |
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Religions:
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Roman
Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant |
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Languages:
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Spanish (official), Guarani (official) |
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Currency:
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guarani (PYG)
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Currency code:
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PYG
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Exchange rates:
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guarani per US dollar - 4,783.0 (January 2002),
4,107.7 (2001), 3,486.4 (2000), 3,119.1 (1999),
2,726.5 (1998), 2,177.9 (1997); note - since early
1998, the exchange rate has operated as a managed
float; prior to that, the exchange rate was
determined freely in the market |
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