| Paraguay is one of the best kept travel secrets on | | | | Paraguay is centered around the city of Asuncion, |
| the South American continent. Landlocked between | | | | Paraguay's capital and largest city. The Gran Chaco |
| Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina, Paraguay is sometimes | | | | region, which accounts for 60% of the territory in |
| called El Corazon de America, the Heart of America, | | | | Paraguay, is home to less than 2% of the country's |
| because of it's central location on the South American | | | | population. The Chaco region is home to 17 German |
| continent. It is divided by the Paraguay River into | | | | Mennonite colonies. Most of the region, however, |
| Eastern Paraguay and Western Paraguay. 90% of | | | | sparsely populated, and is home to some of the |
| Paraguay's population reside in Eastern Paraguay, also | | | | greatest biodiversity on the planet, featuring jaguar, |
| known as Parana. Western Paraguay, or El Chaco, is | | | | crocodilians, puma, giant anteater, over 500 species |
| home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna in | | | | of birds, and over 200 species of reptiles and |
| the world. | | | | amphibians. The region contains the largest dry forest |
| Most of the population of in Paraguay is mestizo, or | | | | in South America, and ranges from tropical to |
| mixed Amerindian and European. While Spanish is the | | | | subtropical. In addition to the forest, the region |
| predominant culture, Paraguay's population blends in | | | | boasts savannas, marshes, swamps, scrub lands, and |
| influences from German and Italian immigrants who | | | | salt flats. |
| helped repopulate the country after the devastating | | | | Popular music and dance in Paraguay include a |
| Triple Alliance War of 1870 eliminated two thirds of | | | | distinctive form of polka that adds polyrhythms to |
| the adult male population of Paraguay. Estimates | | | | the traditional European form. The bottle dance, in |
| place indigenous people groups between 1.7 and 5 | | | | which a dancer spins a bottle overhead, is also |
| percent of the population. Spanish and Guarani, the | | | | popular. Most traditional music is played on the |
| language of the area's Amerindians, are both official | | | | Spanish guitar and the harp. |
| languages in Paraguay. About 80% of the population | | | | One of the major draws for tourists who visit |
| speak both, often blending the two together in the | | | | Paraguay is that the price of most accommodations |
| local dialect known as Jopara. Additionally, some | | | | and goods is among the lowest in the world. The |
| ethnic groups have maintained their native languages, | | | | populace is generally warm towards foreigners, and |
| notably German and Portuguese. | | | | the country's laws concerning foreign property |
| Paraguay is one of the least densely populated | | | | ownership are amongst the world's most liberal. |
| countries in South America. Most of the population of | | | | |