Capital: Asuncion.
Official Languages: Spanish and Guarani.
Official Name: Republica del Paraguay (Republic of Paraguay).
Area: 157,048 sq. mi. (406,752 sq. km). Greatest
distances--north-south, 575 mi. (925 km); east-west, 410 mi. (660
km).
Elevation: Highest--2,231 ft. (680 m) above sea level near
Villarrica. Lowest--180 ft. (55 m), at the meeting point of the
Paraguay and Parana rivers.
Population: Estimated 1996 population--4,576,000; density, 29 persons
per sq. mi. (11 per sq. km); distribution, 51 percent rural, 49
percent urban. 1992 census--4,123,550. Estimated 2001
population--5,164,000.
Chief Products: Agriculture and forestry--cassava, corn, cotton,
livestock, rice, soybeans, sugar cane, timber trees, tobacco, wool.
Manufacturing--cement, leather goods, processed foods and
beverages, textiles, wood products.
National Anthem: "Paraguayos, republica o muerte!" ("Paraguayans,
Republic or Death!" ).
Money: Basic unit--guarani. For the price of the guarani in U.S.
dollars, see MONEY (Table: Exchange Rates).
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