ame: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay

conventional short form: Paraguay

local long form: Republica del Paraguay

local short form: Paraguay

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital: Asuncion

Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular -
departamento) and one capital city; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana,
Amambay, Asuncion (city), Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu,
Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu,
Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1811)

Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992

Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes;
judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI
(since 28 March 1999); vice president Julio Cesar FRANCO (since NA
August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government

head of government: President Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI (since 28 March
1999); vice president Julio Cesar FRANCO (since NA August 2000);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998
(next to be held NA May 2003)

election results: Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent of
vote - 55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999

note: President Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI, formerly president of the
Chamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBAS
Grau, who resigned after being impeached soon after the
assassination of Vice President Luis Maria ARGANA; the successor to
ARGANA was decided in an election held in August 2000

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the
Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of
Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 10 May 1998 (next to be
held NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 May 1998 (next
to be held NA May 2003)

election results: Chamber of Senators - p