 Paraguay is an inland republic in South America, bounded on the northwest and north by Bolivia, on the east by Brazil, and on the south and southwest by Argentina. The total area of is 406,752 sq. km (157,048 sq. mi.). Asuncion is the country's capital.
The Paraguay River divides the country into sharply contrasting regions, namely, in the west, the Gran Chaco, or Paraguay Occidental, and in the east, Paraguay proper, or Paraguay Oriental.
The Gran Chaco is part of an alluvial plain that extends from Paraguay into Bolivia on the west, Argentina on the south, and Brazil on the east. Grassy plains, swamps, and scrub forests cover the area.
Paraguay proper consists mainly of the southern extension of the Paraná plateau. This elevation, from 305 to 610 m (1000 to 2000 ft) high, forms a watershed that gives rise to numerous tributaries of the Paraguay and Parana rivers. On its western edge the plateau falls off sharply to a region of fertile grassy foothills toward the Paraguay River; in the east it descends gradually toward the Alto Paraná River.
The main rivers are the Alto Paraná, the Paraguay, and the Pilcomayo. Lake Ypoá is the only large inland body of water. Among Paraguay's many spectacular waterfalls is Guairá Falls.
The climate of Paraguay is subtropical. At Asunción mean temperatures range from about 17.2° C (about 63° F) in July to about 26.7° C (about 80° F) in January. In the Chaco and other points to the north temperatures often reach 37.8° C (100° F). Annual rainfall averages some 1120 mm (some 44 in) in the Asunción area, some 815 mm (some 32 in) in the Gran Chaco, and some 1525 mm (some 60 in) in the eastern forest regions. The Chaco has heavy rainfall in the summer and almost no rain in the winter.
The plants and animals of Paraguay are substantially those of neighboring South American countries. Paraguay proper, where rainfall is heavy, is covered by dense evergreen forests interspersed with a wide variety of tropical grasses, ferns, palms, and exotic flowers. In the Gran Chaco, vegetation is comparatively sparse but includes the red quebracho tree, a rich source of tannin extract. The plains are covered by coarse tropical reeds, grasses, and stunted trees.
The animals of Paraguay include armadillo, capybara (a large rodent), tapir, jaguar, anteater, wild boar, deer, alligator, and various species of snake. Among the local birds are toucan, ibis, heron, parrot, black duck, dove, partridge, American ostrich, rhea, and parakeet. Many of these birds exhibit strikingly beautiful plumage.
Paraguay has perhaps the most racially homogenous population in South America. A large majority of the people are of mixed white (especially Spanish) and Guarani Native American descent. Minority groups include individuals of pure Spanish ancestry, living mainly in Asunción; unassimilated Guaraní of the eastern forest region; and small colonies of immigrants from Japan, Italy, Portugal, Canada, and other countries. The Mennonites, a German-speaking religious sect, form a notable immigrant group. More than half of the population lives in rural areas.
The population of Paraguay (1993 estimate) was 5,070,856. The estimated overall density was only about 13 people per sq. km (about 32 per sq. mi.), one of the lowest in South America. Population is densest in the western Oriental and most sparse in the Chaco. Paraguay is divided into 19 departments, plus the capital district of Asunción. Fourteen of the departments are in Paraguay proper: Alto Paraná, Amambay, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canendiyu, Central, Concepción, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, and San Pedro. Five of the departments are in the Gran Chaco: Alto Paraguay, Boquerón, Chaco, Nueva Asunción, and Presidente Hayes. The departments are divided into districts, which are subdivided into municipalities and rural districts.
The chief cities of Paraguay (population, 1982 census) include Asunción (455,210), the capital and a commercial city and port; Encarnacion (29,960), a railroad and agricultural center; Concepcion (22,590), a river port; Coronel Oviedo (60,757); Caaguazú (66,111); and Ciudad Este (62,328).
Paraguay is a bilingual country. Spanish is the official tongue; however, Guaraní is commonly spoken by about 90 percent of the people and is used in most folk poems and songs and in books and periodicals.
Roman Catholicism, the official religion, is the faith of more than 95 percent of all Paraguayans. Freedom of worship is extended to other faiths. A number of small Protestant groups exist, of which the Mennonite group is the largest.
Paraguayan culture is a blend chiefly of Guaranian and Spanish elements, supplemented by more recent Argentine, German, and Italian influences. The culture of Paraguay has remained isolated and therefore has retained many features introduced in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Spanish conquerors, artisans, and Jesuit missionaries. The Ateneo Paraguayo, a leading cultural center, sponsors art exhibits, lectures, and concerts, and Guaraní culture is promoted by the Academy of Guaraní Language and Culture, the Indian Association of Paraguay, and the Guaraní Theater.
Much Paraguayan art uses themes of native folklore and of religion, frequently expressed in church decoration. The earliest well-defined Paraguayan art dates from colonial times when Jesuit and Franciscan missions established art schools. Examples of early art, now extant, in both baroque Spanish and Native American styles, include pediments adorned with figures of saints, pulpits, seats carved in stone, and magnificent wood-carved altarpieces.
Among the greatest names in modern Paraguayan art are the painters Pablo Alborno and Juan Samudio. The most renowned Paraguayan craft is the production of the very delicate ñandutí lace.
ECONOMY: The economy of Paraguay is primarily agricultural, but in the 1970s the manufacturing sector grew significantly. The estimated annual budget in the late 1980s was balanced at approximately $1.1 billion.
Manufacturing is confined largely to agricultural and forestry products and to basic consumer goods. Among the important products are packed meat and other foodstuffs, textiles, wood products, and chemicals.
Paraguay is a middle-income nation with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are good in Asuncion, the capital city, poor in major cities, and almost nonexistent in remote areas.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays up to three months. Minors (under 20) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party must present written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. This authorization must be notarized, authenticated by the Paraguayan Embassy or Consulate, and translated into Spanish. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Paraguay, travelers may contact the Paraguayan Embassy at 2400 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 483-6960, or the Paraguayan Consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, or New York.
EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Paraguay are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion and obtain updated information on travel and security in Paraguay. The U.S. Embassy is located at 1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue; telephone (011-595-21) 213-715. |
