1993)

Natural hazards: typhoons

Environment - current issues: NA

Paracel Islands People

Population: no indigenous inhabitants

note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.)

Paracel Islands Government

Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Paracel Islands Economy

Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the
islands for tourism.

Paracel Islands Transportation

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and
Duncan Island being expanded

Airports: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Paracel Islands Military

Military - note: occupied by China

Paracel Islands Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan
and Vietnam

======================================================================

@Paraguay

Paraguay Introduction

Background: In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70),
Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its
territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In
the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were
won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo
STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in
political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular
presidential elections have been held since then.

Paraguay Geography

Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references: South America

Area: total: 406,750 sq km

land: 397,300 sq km

water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km

border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290
km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the
eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain: 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

Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio
Parana 46 m

highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m