Chaco (Paraguay)

Population: 181.940

The Paraguayan Chaco or Región Occidental (Western Region) is a semi-arid region in Paraguay, with a very low population density. The area is being rapidly deforested. Consisting of more than 60% of Paraguay´s land area, but with less than 10% of the population, the Chaco is one of the most unused environments in South America.

The Chaco is a large geographic area that is sparsely populated. Many of those living in the region are native peoples. It covers the departments of Boquerón, Upper Paraguay and the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay.

The Chaco region was the scene of the longest territorial war to occur in South America; an armed conflict between Paraguay and Bolivia, lasting from 1932 to 1935.

The chaco is also home to sites of historical significance that have been preserved, including Boquerón, Campo Grande, Via Campo, Nanawa, the site of the battle of Cañada Strongest, Carmen, Kilometro 7, Picuiba, and Villamontes, amongst others.

The Paraguayan Chaco is located between the Pilcomayo and Paraguay Rivers, which provide saline soils that attract a rich variety of plants and animals. Its boundaries are the border with Argentina along the Pilcomayo River to the west; the border with Brazil over the mouth of Apa River to the south-east; is the border with Bolivia to the north; and the border with the Región Oriental (Eastern Region) to the south.

The majority of the Indigenous peoples in Paraguay live in the Graco. These include the followings groups:

...
Wikipedia