Country
Countries A-Z
Paraguay
Republic of Paraguay
República del Paraguay
Political Status: Independent since 1811; under presidential rule established in 1844; present constitution promulgated on June 20, 1992.
Area: 157,047 sq. mi. (406,752 sq. km.).
Population: 5,183,080 (2002C), excluding adjustment for underenumeration; 6,430,000 (2007E).
Major Urban Centers (2005E): ASUNCIÓN (517,000), Ciudad del Este (247,000), San Lorenzo (230,000).
Official Languages: Spanish, Guaraní.
Monetary Unit: Guaraní (market rate November 1, 2008: 4,620.00 guaraníes = $1US).
President: Fernando Armindo LUGO Méndez (Patriotic Alliance for Change); popularly elected on April 20, 2008, and sworn in on August 15 for a five-year term, succeeding Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (Colorado Party).
Vice President: Luis Federico FRANCO Gómez (Patriotic Alliance for Change/Authentic Radical Liberal Party); elected on April 20, 2008, and sworn in on August 15 for a term concurrent with that of the president. (The ...