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Description Paraguay by rbd.me
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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 all 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 then.
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Location
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Central South America, northeast of Argentina
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than California
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Natural resources Paraguay
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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
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Population Paraguay
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landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
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Religions Paraguay
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mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
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Languages
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Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
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Education Paraguay expenditures
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Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
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Government Paraguay type
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4% of GDP (2004)
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Independence
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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
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Paraguay Economy - overview
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Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
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Investment Paraguay
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19.4% (2008 est.)
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Industries Paraguay
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$3.098 billion (31 December 2008)
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Airports Paraguay
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AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (2006)
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