Paraguay, an introverted country bordering on Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina was one of the most notorious and durable police states, gradually it is now getting used to being a democratic republic.
The Paraguay River divides the country into two contrasting regions, in the west, the
Paraguay Occidental or Gran Chaco, and in the east, Paraguay proper, or Paraguay Oriental.
The country capital, Asunción on the east side of the river, is the Economic and Political centre of the land. Architecture dates back to the nineteenth century, when some charismatic dictators established the Paraguayan identity. Cities that have their roots in history are: Concepción, General Eugenio A Garay, Perdo Juan Caballero and Colonel Oviedo. The “young” city of Ciudad del Este grew much during the construction of a huge hydroelectric project, and now survives by being Argentina´s and Brazil´s shopping center for all sorts of illegally imported goods.
Countless waterfalls, a definite must see, some impressive Jesuit missions, several national parks and of course the plains, swamps and forests of the Gran Chaco. Here you can also experience the real country life of the Paraguayan cowboys that breed one of the lands major sources of income.
Asunción, the capital of Paraguay and by far the biggest city and is located at the east bank of the Rio Paraguay at the Bay of Asuncion. The nightlife consists of karaoke bars, the cosmopolitan Cafe Literario and small hubs of culture that are hard to tap into.
In the city you will find colonial buildings and nice parks next to a growing number of modern buildings. You can visit the colonial building and museum Casa Viola or stroll around in the Botanical Garden (jardin botanico), former home of the famous Lopez family. In Asuncion you can also find a golf-course and a zoo, it is no surprise that the capital is also the travel hub of the country. You can book tours to the Iguazú Falls (on the border between Argentina and Brazil) and all other major places of interest throughout the country.
PARAGUAY
