ough 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 228-603

Flag description:

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 the seal
of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Economy
Paraguay

Economy - overview:

Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal
sector. This sector features both reexport of imported consumer
goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of
thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of
the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures
are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population,
especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural
activity, often on a subsistence basis. On a per capita basis, real
income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute
Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty,
corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient
infrastructure. The economy rebounded between 2003 and 2007, posting
modest growth each year, as growing world demand for commodities
combined with high prices and favorable weather to support
Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$26.7 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$10.87 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.6% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$4,000 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 22.7%
industry: 17.6%
services: 59.7% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

2.787 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 31%
industry: 17%
services: 52% (2007)

Unemployment rate:

5.6% (2007 est.)

Population below pover