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|  | PARAGUAY COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Paraguay is a landlocked country surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil, lying some 1440km (900 miles) up the River Paraná from the Atlantic. The River Paraguya, a tributary of the Paraná, divides the country in two widely differing regions. The east, where the Paraná forms a natural border between with Brazil, has rolling hills, fertile plains, grasslands and heavily wooded areas. Asunción, the capital, is situated on the Bay of Asunción, an inlet off the Paraguay River in a former estate of the Lopez family on the Paraguay River. Paraguay's university is in San Lorenzo, founded in 1775. A popular tourist itinerary is the 'Central Circuit', a route of some 200km (125 miles) that takes in some of the country's most interesting sites, including the famous Iguazú and Monday waterfalls located near Paraguay's fastest developing town, Ciudad del Este on the Brazilian border. In the west, the scarcely populated Chaco area, consisting mainly of empty plains and forests, provides a habitat for hundreds of wildlife and bird species. After the Amzaon, this is America's second largest forest area, whose national parts and biological reserves are popular among enthusiasts of ecotourism. Typical local dishes include chipas (maize bread flavoured with egg and cheese) and palmitos (palm hearts). In Asunción there are a number of bars, casinos and discotheques. The parrilladas or open-air restaurants offer by far the best atmosphere, especially in Asunción. There are casinos in the border towns of Ciudad Del Este and Encarnacion. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then. 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 derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97, but averaged near-zero growth in 1998-2001 and contracted by 2.3 percent in 2002, in response to regional contagion and an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth desease. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Aided by a firmer exchange rate and perhaps a greater confidence in the economic policy of the Duarte FRUTOS administration, the economy rebounded in 2003 and 2004, posting modest growth each year. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Asunción
The capital city is situated on the Bay of Asunción, an inlet off the Paraguay River. Planned on a colonial Spanish grid system, it has many parks and plazas. On the way to the waterfront the visitor enters the old part of town, an area of architectural diversity. A good view of the city can be had from the Parque Carlos Antonio Lopez high above Asunción. The Botanical Gardens are situated in a former estate of the Lopez family on the Paraguay River. There is also a golf-course and a small zoo. The Lopez Residence has been converted into a natural history museum and library. Package trips can be booked to see the Iguazú Falls and the Salto Crystal Falls, and river trips to Villeta or up the Pilcomayo River to the Chaco. Luque, near the capital, is the home of the famous Paraguayan harps.
The Central Circuit
A popular tourist itinerary is the 'Central Circuit', a route of some 200km (125 miles) that takes in some of the country's most interesting sites clustered around the capital. San Lorenzo dates from 1775 and is the site of the university halls of residence and an interesting Gothic-style church. Founded in 1539 by Domingo Martinez, Ita's main speciality is handpainted black clay Gallinita hens. Yaguarón is set in an orange-growing district 48km (29 miles) from the capital and played a part during the Spanish conquest as a base for the Franciscan missions. Their churches date back to 1775.
Situated in the foothills of the Cordillera des Altos, the historic village of Paraguarí has several old buildings in colonial style. The holiday centre of Chololo, 87km (54 miles) from the capital, has tourist facilities that include bars, restaurants and bungalows for rent.
Piribebuy was the scene of bloody fighting during the war of the triple alliance. The Encaje-yú spindle lace, the 'sixty-stripe' Paraní poncho and other handmade goods are produced here. It is also famous as a place of worship of the 'Virgin of Miracles'. Situated on Lake Ypacarai, 47km (29 miles) from the capital, San Bernadino is a holiday resort and, owing to its beaches and lake shores, very popular during the summer months. It also has a camping ground, 'Camping 19'.
Along the Paraná
On the border with Brazil and Argentina in the north-east of the Chaco, the spectacular Iguazú Falls are a major tourist attraction. Ciudad del Este, 326km (204 miles) east of the capital, is the fastest-growing town in the country and has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Situated close to the border with Brazil, the town is also a good starting point for a visit to the majestic Monday Falls and Iguazú Falls, which are a 15-30 minute drive from the city. Also nearby is the Italpú Dam, the largest hydroelectric complex in the world. Stretching over 180km (112 miles), the water reservoir provides a unique ecosystem for wildlife and birds as well as providing tourists with a number of activities, including fishing, watersports, sailing, camping and walking tours.
Well to the south, Encarnación has many colonial buildings and a sleepy waterfront area with gauchos and sandy streets. Nearby is the Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge linking Paraguay with Posadas in Argentina across the river Paraná.
The Chaco
This vast, scarcely populated area, consisting mainly of empty plains and forests, covers 61 per cent of the country's total surface, but is inhabited by only three per cent of Paraguay's population. The drive from Asunción leads through the Low Chaco, a land of palm forests and marshes, and reaches the Middle Chaco with its capital Filadelfia. Here Mennonites of German descent have set up farms and other agricultural outlets as well as their own schools and are considered to be the only organised community in the whole of the Chaco region. The Chaco is home to Paraguay's major national parks including the Defensores del Chaco, Tifunque, Enciso and Cerro Cora. Wildlife and nature enthusiasts can also visit the area's beautiful biological reserves (in Limoy, Itabo, Tati Yupi) or the protected forests in Nacunday and Mbaracayu, where over 600 species of birds, 200 species of mammals and numerous kinds of reptiles and amphibians live in a natural habitat. The Chaco is, after the Amazon rain forest, the world's second biggest forest area and is a popular location for pursuers of ecotourism.
Jesuit missions
In the 16th century, the Company of Jesus started the process of converting the Guaraní people to Christianity. As a result, the native Indians eventually agreed to live in reducciones, large villages with a fairly rigid socioeconomic structure based on Jesuit principles and values. Skilled in construction and artistic techniques, the Guaraníes left behind a heritage of churches, religious sculptures and paintings scattered throughout Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. Seven of the largest Jesuit missions remain in Paraguay, and those in Jesus de Taravangue and Triniad del Paraná have been declared World Heritage site by UNESCO. They can be reached either by plane, car/bus or via light river transport. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process |
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