Paraguay

The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked republic in South America. Lying on both banks of the Paraguay River, it borders Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the northeast and Bolivia to the northwest. The name "Paraguay" is derived from the Guarani words "pará", meaning "ocean", "gua" meaning to or from and "y" meaning "water"; in other words "water that goes to the ocean". The expression in Guarani is thought to refer solely to Asunción, but in Spanish refers to the entire country.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Paraguay

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Paraguay's highly centralised and often dictatorial government was fundamentally changed by the 1992 constitution, which provides for a division of powers. The president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms, after which the president appoints a cabinet. The president functions as both head of state and head of government.

Related Topics:
Dictatorial - 1992 - Constitution - President - Cabinet - Head of state - Head of government

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The bicameral parliament, the Congress or Congreso, consists of an 80-member Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) and a 45-member Senate (Cámara de Senadores), elected concurrently with the president through a proportional representation system. Deputies are elected by department and senators nationwide on a list system, both for five-year terms. Each of Paraguay's 17 departments is headed by a popularly elected governor.

Related Topics:
Parliament - Senate - Proportional representation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Paraguay's highest court is the Supreme Court. The Senate and the president select its nine members on the basis of recommendations from a constitutionally created Magistrates Council. A Paraguayan peculiarity is its flag, which features a slightly different design on the reverse side than on the front. The three stripes on the flag (red, white, and blue) come from the French flag. The front side contains the National Seal of Paraguay and the reverse contains the words "Paz y Justicia"(Peace and Justice) along with a lion and a Phrygian Cap on a pole.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~