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Background
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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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Population
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6,375,830 (July 2010 est.)
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Government type
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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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Administrative divisions
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constitutional republic
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Independence
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Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
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International organization participation
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three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice))
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Economy - overview
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Market value of publicly traded shares
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sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
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Agriculture - products
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-1.2% (2009 est.)
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Industries
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53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Industrial production growth rate
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8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
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Electricity - production
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45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Oil - production
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
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Internet country code
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894,200 (2008)
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