Paraguay

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay (Spanish: República del Paraguay, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðel paɾaˈɣwai]; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái), is one of the only two landlocked countries in South America (along with Bolivia). It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River and is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Because of its central location in South America, the country is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América — Heart of America.^[4] About 18 % of the population live off less than US$ 2 a day.

Contents

• 1 Name
• 2 Geography
• 3 History
• 4 Government and Politics
• 5 Political History
  • 5.1 Law
  • 5.2 Administrative Subdivisions
• 6 Demographics
  • 6.1 Largest Cities^[14]
  • 6.2 Religion
  • 6.3 Social Issues
  • 6.4 International Rankings
• 7 Economy
• 8 See also
• 9 References
• 10 Further Reading
• 11 External links

Republic of Paraguay República del Paraguay Tetã Paraguái
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Paz y justicia (Spanish) "Peace and justice"
Anthem: Paraguayos, República o Muerte (Spanish) "Paraguayans, Republic or Death"
Capital (and largest city)		Asunción 25°16′S 57°40′W / 25.267°S 57.667°W / -25.267; -57.667
Official languages		Spanish Guaraní[1]
Ethnic groups		95% mestizo, 5% other[2]
Demonym		Paraguayan
Government		Constitutional presidential republic
-	President	Fernando Lugo
Independence		from Spain
-	Declared	May 14, 1811
Area
-	Total	406,752 km2 (59th) 157,048 sq mi
-	Water (%)	2.3
Population
-	July 2008 estimate	6,831,306 (101st)
-	Density	15/km2 (192nd) 39/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$29.403 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$4,778[3]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$16.006 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$2,601[3]
Gini (2002)		57.8 (high)
HDI (2007)		▼ 0.755 (medium) (95th)
Currency		Guaraní (PYG)
Time zone		(UTC-4)
-	Summer (DST)	(UTC-3)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.py
Calling code		595