Paraguay

Paraguay, landlocked country in South America. Paraguay has an area of 157,047 sq mi (406,752 sq km) and is bordered by Bolivia on the northwest, Brazil on the northeast, and Argentina to the south and southeast.

Land and climate

The Paraguay River, flowing north-south, divides the country into two sharply contrasting regions: the eastern region, sometimes called Paraguay Proper, and the western Chaco region. The Chaco is largely flat, scrub country and is thinly populated. Though some of it is suitable for raising cattle, much of it is arid. The far richer eastern region is divided into two contrasting areas by a clifflike ridge running northward from the Paranà River near Encarnación. West of the ridge, where most of the people live, is rolling hill country that falls away to low-lying areas along the Paraguay River. East of the ridge is the Paraná Plateau, about 2,000 ft (610 m) above sea level and covered by dense tropical forest. The country has a subtropical climate, very like that of Florida, with hot wet summers and warm and drier winters. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer. The capital of the country is Asunción.

People

The majority of the people are mestizo, a mixture of the Spanish and the native Guaraní people. Many people speak Guaraní, but Spanish is the official language and Roman Catholicism the official religion.

Economy

More than 50% of the work force is employed on the land, and over one-third of the gross national product comes from agriculture. Cotton, tobacco, coffee, timber, tannin, and oils are the chief exports. Some processing of agricultural products constitutes the country's main industry.

History

Originally inhabited by the Guaranís, by the 1550s the region had become Spain's power base in southeastern South America. Jesuit influence in the 17th century contributed significantly to the merging of Guaraní and Spanish cultures. From 1776 to 1811 Paraguay was part of the Spanish vice-royalty of La Plata. It became independent in 1811 after a relatively peaceful revolt. Following José Gaspar Rodriguez Francia, and Carlos Antonio López, the dictator Francisco Solano López led the country in the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance against Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina from 1865 to 1870. Paraguay was laid waste and more than half the population died. Clashes with Bolivia over a border dispute led to the Chaco War (1932–35). Political turmoil was followed by the relatively stable regime of Pres. Higinio Morinigó from 1940 to 1948. Civil War followed the overthrow of Morinigo and in 1954 Gen. Alfredo Stroessner seized power and governed ruthlessly until he too was overthrown in 1989 and government of the country was returned to civilians. In 1993 the country welcomed its first democratically elected civilian president.