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South America :: Paraguay

- ## Introduction :: PARAGUAY

- Background:
  Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.

- ## Geography :: PARAGUAY

- Location:
  Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
  Geographic coordinates:
  23 00 S, 58 00 W
  Map references:
  South America
  Area:
  total: 406,752 sq km
  land: 397,302 sq km
  water: 9,450 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than California
  Land boundaries:
  total: 4,655 km
  border countries (3): Argentina 2,531 km, Bolivia 753 km, Brazil 1,371 km
  Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
  Maritime claims:
  none (landlocked)
  Climate:
  subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
  Terrain:
  grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
  highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
  Natural resources:
  hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 53.8%
  arable land 10.8%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 42.8%
  forest: 43.8%
  other: 2.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  670 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  336 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
  per capita: 88.05 cu m/yr (2000)
  Natural hazards:
  local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
  Environment - current issues:
  deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country

- ## People and Society :: PARAGUAY

- Nationality:
  noun: Paraguayan(s)
  adjective: Paraguayan
  Ethnic groups:
  mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
  Languages:
  Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
  Demographic profile:
  Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.
  Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France.
  Population:
  6,783,272 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 25.59% (male 882,929/female 852,583)
  15-24 years: 20.14% (male 687,025/female 679,420)
  25-54 years: 40.04% (male 1,359,281/female 1,356,663)
  55-64 years: 7.48% (male 259,086/female 248,636)
  65 years and over: 6.75% (male 213,907/female 243,742) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 56.6%
  youth dependency ratio: 47.2%
  elderly dependency ratio: 9.4%
  potential support ratio: 10.6% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 27.3 years
  male: 27 years
  female: 27.5 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.16% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Birth rate:
  16.37 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Death rate:
  4.68 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Net migration rate:
  -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 59.7% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  ASUNCION (capital) 23.56 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 20.05 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 23.6 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 16.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 76.99 years
  male: 74.34 years
  female: 79.77 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Total fertility rate:
  1.91 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  79.4%
  note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)
  Health expenditures:
  9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Physicians density:
  1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 94.9% of population
  total: 98% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 5.1% of population
  total: 2% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 95.5% of population
  rural: 78.4% of population
  total: 88.6% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 4.5% of population
  rural: 21.6% of population
  total: 11.4% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.41% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  16,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  400 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: intermediate
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne disease: dengue fever (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  15.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  3.4% (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Education expenditures:
  5% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 93.9%
  male: 94.8%
  female: 92.9% (2010 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 12 years
  male: 12 years
  female: 12 years (2010)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 205,297
  percentage: 15% (2004 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 11.2%
  male: 9%
  female: 14.6% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95

- ## Government :: PARAGUAY

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
  conventional short form: Paraguay
  local long form: Republica del Paraguay
  local short form: Paraguay
  Government type:
  constitutional republic
  Capital:
  name: Asuncion
  geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
  time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends fourth Sunday in March
  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)
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)
  Legal system:
  civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
  election results: Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES (ANR) 45.8%, Efrain ALEGRE (PLRA) 36.9%, Mario FERREIRO (AP) 5.9%, Anibal CARRILLO (FG) 3.3%, other 8%
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 17 departments and capital city - by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
  elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
  election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 19, PLRA 12, FG 5, PDP 3, Avanza Pais 2, UNACE 2, PEN 1, PPQ 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 44, PLRA 27, Avanza Pais 2, PEN 2, UNACE 2, FG 1, PPQ 1, other 1
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division
  judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 75
  subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace
  Political parties and leaders:
  Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]
  Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO]
  Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez]
  Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO]
  Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado]
  Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Desiree MASI]
  Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]
  Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER]
  Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
  Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]
  Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Sebastian ACHA]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Ahorristas Estafados or AE
  National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]
  National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]
  National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]
  Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT
  Roman Catholic Church
  Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
  International organization participation:
  CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Igor Alberto PANGRAZIO Vera (since 18 September 2014)
  chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
  FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
  consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  Ambassador Leslie A. BASSETT (since 15 January 2015)
  embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
  mailing address: Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001
  telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
  FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
  Flag description:
  three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity
  note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
  National symbol(s):
  lion; national colors: red, white, blue
  National anthem:
  name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)
  lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
  note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934

- ## Economy :: PARAGUAY

- Economy - overview:
  Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed at a 13% level in 2010, the highest in South America, but slowed in 2011-13 as the stimulus subsided and severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. The economy took another leap in 2014, largely due to strong export growth. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $58.3 billion (2014 est.)
  $55.85 billion (2013 est.)
  $48.89 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 104
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $29.7 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4.4% (2014 est.)
  14.2% (2013 est.)
  -1.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $8,400 (2014 est.)
  $8,100 (2013 est.)
  $7,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Gross national saving:
  15.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  17.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
  14.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 65.8%
  government consumption: 11.6%
  investment in fixed capital: 15.2%
  investment in inventories: 0.5%
  exports of goods and services: 51%
  imports of goods and services: -44.1%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 19.9%
  industry: 17.6%
  services: 62.5% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
  Industries:
  sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3.6% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Labor force:
  3.26 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 26.5%
  industry: 18.5%
  services: 55% (2008)
  Unemployment rate:
  5.5% (2014 est.)
  7.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Population below poverty line:
  34.7% (2010 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 1%
  highest 10%: 41.1% (2010 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  53.2 (2009)
  57.7 (1998)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Budget:
  revenues: $5.222 billion
  expenditures: $5.651 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  16.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -1.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Public debt:
  18.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  15.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  5% (2014 est.)
  2.7% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Central bank discount rate:
  5.5% (31 December 2012)
  6% (31 December 2011)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  19.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
  19.27% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Stock of narrow money:
  $4.899 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $4.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Stock of broad money:
  $9.483 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $8.546 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $12.19 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $10.58 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $962.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
  $958.1 million (31 December 2011)
  $42 million (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Current account balance:
  $15 million (2014 est.)
  $620.6 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Exports:
  $14.61 billion (2014 est.)
  $13.44 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Exports - commodities:
  soybeans, livestock feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather
  Exports - partners:
  Brazil 30.8%, Russia 10.8%, Argentina 7.4%, Chile 6.9%, Netherlands 4.5% (2014)
  Imports:
  $12.37 billion (2014 est.)
  $11.86 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Imports - commodities:
  road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
  Imports - partners:
  Brazil 28%, China 25.5%, Argentina 14.6%, US 7.9% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $7.241 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $5.873 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Debt - external:
  $8.759 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $7.291 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $5.604 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $4.991 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $105.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $105.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Exchange rates:
  guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
  4,451.7 (2014 est.)
  4,320.7 (2013 est.)
  4,424.9 (2012 est.)
  4,176.1 (2011 est.)
  4,735.5 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: PARAGUAY

- Electricity - production:
  57.05 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Electricity - consumption:
  7.497 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Electricity - exports:
  47.37 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  8.816 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  0.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  99.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Crude oil - production:
  2,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  27,190 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  3.869 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134

- ## Communications :: PARAGUAY

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 370,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 7.3 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
  domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers
  international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2010)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (2006)
  Television broadcast stations:
  6 (2009)
  Internet country code:
  .py
  Internet users:
  total: 1.9 million
  percent of population: 29.0% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101

- ## Transportation :: PARAGUAY

- Airports:
  799 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 15
  over 3,047 m: 3
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
  914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 784
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
  914 to 1,523 m: 290
  under 914 m:
  471 (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 30 km
  standard gauge: 30 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Roadways:
  total: 32,059 km
  paved: 4,860 km
  unpaved: 27,199 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Waterways:
  3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paran� River systems) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 32
  Merchant marine:
  total: 19
  by type: cargo 13, container 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
  foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 96
  Ports and terminals:
  river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)

- ## Military :: PARAGUAY

- Military branches:
  Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation, and Coast Guard), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2012)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,678,335
  females age 16-49: 1,675,352 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,409,859
  females age 16-49: 1,433,037 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 73,367
  female: 71,801 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.66% of GDP (2012)
  1.16% of GDP (2011)
  1.66% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 54

- ## Transnational Issues :: PARAGUAY

- Disputes - international:
  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
  Illicit drugs:
  major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement

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