Paraguay | Facts & Information

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff
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Facts & Figures

  • Republic of Paraguay

    President: Horacio Cartes (2013)

    Land area: 153,398 sq mi (397,301 sq km); total area: 157,046 sq mi (406,750 sq km)

    Population (2014 est.): 6,703,860 (growth rate: 1.19%); birth rate: 16.66/1000; infant mortality rate: 20.75/1000; life expectancy: 76.8; density per sq mi: 39

    Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Asunción, 2.139 million

    Other large cities: Ciudad del Este, 320,782; San Lorenzo, 271,064

    Monetary unit: Guaraní

    National name: República del Paraguay

    Current government officials

    Languages: Spanish, Guaraní (both official)

    Ethnicity/race: mestizo 95%, other 5%

    Religions: Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002)

    Literacy rate: 93.9% (2010 est.)

    Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2013 est.): $45.9 billion; per capita $6,800. Real growth rate: 12%. Inflation: 2.3%. Unemployment: 6.6%. Arable land: 9.59%. Agriculture: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber. Labor force: 3.19 million; agriculture 26.5%; industry 18.5%; services 55%. Industries: sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power. Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone. Exports: $14.7 billion (2013 est.): soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather. Imports: $12.37 billion (2013 est.): road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts Major trading partners: Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, China, U.S. (2012).

    Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 376,000 (2012); mobile cellular: 6.79 million (2012). Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (3 inactive) (2006). Radio Stations: 76 (2010). Television broadcast stations: 6 (2010). Televisions: 990,000 (2001). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 280,658 (2012). Internet users: 1.105 million (2009).

    Transportation: Railways: total: 36 km (2008). Highways: total: 32,059 km; paved: 4,860 km; unpaved: 27,199 km (2010 est.). Waterways: 3,100 km (2012). Ports and harbors: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion. Airports: 799 (2013).

    International conflicts: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations.

    Major sources and definitions