# Paraguayan Chaco > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Paraguayan_Chaco > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Paraguayan_Chaco.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_Chaco > Source revision: 1337161638 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Region in Paraguay}} thumb|Paraguayan Chaco, represented in light green. thumb|A part of the Paraguayan Chaco The '''Paraguayan Chaco,''' or '''Región Occidental''' (Western Region), is a semi-arid region in [Paraguay](/source/Paraguay) with very low population density.{{Cite web |title=Map Paraguay - Popultion density by administrative division |url=https://www.geo-ref.net/ph/pry.htm |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=www.geo-ref.net}} It is the Paraguayan part of the [Gran Chaco](/source/Gran_Chaco).{{Cite web |title=Paraguay |url=https://www.worldlandtrust.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/paraguay/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=World Land Trust |language=en}} The area is being rapidly deforested, with the highest deforestation rate in the Gran Chaco and 50% of the forest projected to be lost by 2030. Covering of 61% of Paraguay's land area, but with very little population, the Chaco is one of the most sparsely inhabited areas in South America. The surrounding [Gran Chaco](/source/Gran_Chaco) area is also a large, sparsely populated region. Many of those living in the region are indigenous. It covers the departments of [Boquerón](/source/Boquer%C3%B3n_department), [Alto Paraguay](/source/Alto_Paraguay_Department) and the [Department of Presidente Hayes](/source/Presidente_Hayes_Department), [Paraguay](/source/Paraguay).{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} The Chaco region was the scene of the longest territorial war in [South America](/source/South_America), an [armed conflict](/source/Chaco_War) between [Paraguay](/source/Paraguay) and [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia) that lasted from 1932 to 1935. It is also home to sites of historical significance that have been preserved, including Boquerón, Campo Grande, Via Campo, [Nanawa](/source/Nanawa), the site of the [battle of Cañada Strongest](/source/battle_of_Ca%C3%B1ada_Strongest), Carmen, Kilometro 7, Picuiba, and [Villamontes](/source/Villamontes), amongst others.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} ==Location== The Paraguayan Chaco is located between the [Pilcomayo](/source/Pilcomayo_River) and [Paraguay River](/source/Paraguay_River)s, which provide saline soils that attract a wide variety of plants and animals. Its boundaries are the border with [Argentina](/source/Argentina) along the [Pilcomayo River](/source/Pilcomayo_River) to the west; the border with [Brazil](/source/Brazil) over the mouth of the [Apa River](/source/Apa_River) to the south-east; the border with [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia) to the north; and the border with the Región Oriental (Eastern Region) to the south. == Indigenous peoples of the Paraguayan Chaco == [[File:Paraguay 1064.JPG|thumb|[Indigenous](/source/indigenous_peoples_of_Paraguay) mother and child in the Paraguayan Chaco]] The majority of the [Indigenous peoples in Paraguay](/source/Indigenous_peoples_in_Paraguay) live in the Chaco. These include the following groups: {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *[Ayoreo](/source/Ayoreo_people) ([Zamuco](/source/Zamuco))[http://www.native-languages.org/paraguay.htm "Native American Tribes of Paraguay."] ''Native Languages.'' (retrieved 12 July 2011) *[Chamacoco](/source/Chamacoco_people) ([Ishir](/source/Ishir_people)) **[Ebytoso](/source/Ebytoso) **[Tomáraho](/source/Tom%C3%A1raho) *[Chané](/source/Chan%C3%A9_people) *[Chiripá people](/source/Chirip%C3%A1_people)[http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Paraguay.html "Paraguay."] ''Countries and Their Cultures.'' Retrieved 3 August 2012. *[Chorote](/source/Chorote) *[Guana](/source/Guana_people) *[Guaraní](/source/Guaran%C3%AD_people) *[Lengua](/source/Lengua_people) ([Enxet](/source/Enxet)) *[Nivaclé](/source/Nivacl%C3%A9_people) ([Chulupí](/source/Chulup%C3%AD)) *[Macá](/source/Mac%C3%A1_people) *[Mbayá](/source/Mbay%C3%A1_people) *[Pai-Tavyter](/source/Pai_Tavytera_people) *[Sanapaná](/source/Sanapan%C3%A1_people) *[Toba](/source/Toba_people) {{div col end}} The language groups and their locations are as follows: * Toba Maskoy: on the [Paraguay River](/source/Paraguay_River) in the central-east. * Nivaclé: near the [Pilcomayo River](/source/Pilcomayo_River) in the south-east. * Zamuco, [Chamacoco](/source/Chamacoco): on the Paraguay River in the north-east. * Enxet-Enenhlet: central and lower Chaco. ==Animals== The Chaco has an abundance of wildlife. Larger animals present in the region include [jaguar](/source/jaguar), [ocelot](/source/ocelot), [puma](/source/puma_(genus)), [tapir](/source/tapir), [giant armadillo](/source/giant_armadillo), [giant anteater](/source/giant_anteater), many species of foxes, numerous small wildcats, the [agouti](/source/agouti) (a large rodent), the [capybara](/source/capybara) (water hog), the [maned wolf](/source/maned_wolf), the palustrian deer, [peccaries](/source/peccaries), including the endemic [Chacoan peccary](/source/Chacoan_peccary), and the [guanaco](/source/guanaco) (the wild relative of the [llama](/source/llama)). The region has an abundant and varied bird population and one of the largest populations of the [greater rhea](/source/rhea_(bird)) (or nandu), a large flightless South American bird. The streams host more than 400 fish species, among which are the salmon-like [dorado](/source/Salminus) and the flesh-eating [piranha](/source/piranha). The region is home to many insect species, some of which can cause discomfort for travellers. Reptiles are also abundant, with numerous lizards and at least 60 known snake species, including many pit vipers and constrictors. The region is also home to many unique amphibians, including the iconic [waxy monkey tree frog](/source/waxy_monkey_tree_frog) [Phyllomedusa sauvagii](/source/Phyllomedusa_sauvagii) that produces a waxy secretion to prevent drying out and coraline frog [Leptodactylus laticeps](/source/Leptodactylus_laticeps) that spends the dry season deep in a burrow, emerging with the rains to feed on other frogs. ==Flora== [[Image:Chaco Boreal Paraguay.jpg|thumb|Chaco Boreal, [Paraguay](/source/Paraguay)]] The vegetation of the Chaco varies from the east to the west, reflecting the changing nature of the soil. Eastern Chaco is noted for its park-like landscape of clustered trees and shrubs interspersed with tall, [herbaceous](/source/herbaceous) [savannah](/source/savannah)s. To the west, a wide transition zone grades into the [espinal](/source/Argentine_Espinal), a [dry forest](/source/dry_forest) of spiny, thorny shrubs and low trees. Chaco's vegetation has adapted to grow in [arid](/source/arid) conditions, and is highly varied and exceedingly complex. One of the most impressive vegetation formations is called the ''quebrachales'', which consists of vast, low hardwood forests where various species of [quebracho tree](/source/quebracho_tree)s are dominant. The quebracho tree is economically important as a source of [tannin](/source/tannin) and [lumber](/source/lumber). These forests cover extensive areas away from the rivers; nearer the rivers they occupy the higher, better-drained sites, giving rise to a landscape in which the forests appear as islands amid a sea of savannah grasses growing as high as a person on horseback. In the more arid western Chaco, [thorn forest](/source/thorn_forest)s, the continuity of which is occasionally broken by [palm grove](/source/palm_grove)s, [saline steppe](/source/saline_steppe)s, and savannas, created by fire or [deforestation](/source/deforestation), are dominated by another quebracho tree that has a lower tannin content and is used most often for lumber. thumb|Lagoon in the Paraguayan Chaco. There is also a marked increase in the number and density of thorny species, among which the notorious vinal ([Prosopis ruscifolia](/source/Prosopis_ruscifolia)) was declared a national plague in Argentina because of how its thorns, up to a foot in length, posed a livestock hazard in the agricultural lands it invaded. ==Main features== {{Main|Gran Chaco}} [Ecotourism](/source/Ecotourism) remains a potential industry for the region because of its rich biodiversity, allowing for a type of ecotourism similar to that seen in the [Amazon](/source/Amazon_rainforest). The region remains of interest to hunting enthusiasts. It also hosts the annual [Trans Chaco Rally](/source/Chaco_Rally), a prominent automobile race, which is considered one of the most difficult the continent,{{By whom|date=November 2011}} mainly because of the dusty, dry roads which make up its routes, and the extreme heat. Chaco is known for its cultural, religious and economic diversity. The [Indigenous peoples of the Gran Chaco](/source/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Gran_Chaco) maintain their cultures, particularly in the northern Chaco. The Northern Chaco is also known as an ideal place to purchase [indigenous fine crafts](/source/Paraguayan_Indian_art). In the forest reserves, the [Sanapaná](/source/Sanapan%C3%A1_people) and [Nivaclé people](/source/Nivacl%C3%A9_people)s speak the [Sanapaná](/source/Sanapan%C3%A1_language) and [Nivaclé language](/source/Nivacl%C3%A9_language)s, respectively. [Karanda'y](/source/Copernicia_alba) is the material used to make handbags, wallets, vases, porta tereré (bags to hold thermos flasks for [tereré](/source/terer%C3%A9), the typical summer drink), carrying baskets, and mats. The natives are experts in natural medicine. The thorny varieties of plants are replacing deciduous trees in these areas. Chaco also offers an excellent option for [rural tourism](/source/Rural_tourism_of_Paraguay). One place offering rural tourism opportunities is the area Estancia La Patria, [Department of Boquerón](/source/Boquer%C3%B3n_Department), [Colony Neuland](/source/Neuland_Colony), which was created by the national government with the aim of boosting the development of this area of the country. It is located 110 kilometers (70 miles) from Infante Rivarola, a military post on the border with [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia). The Chaco area is famous for the large number of hunters who visit, despite a ban on hunting of endangered animals. It is a high floodplain with a gentle slope to the east, and experiences relatively little rainfall (400 mm; 16" per year). Some areas are flooded occasionally, during which species adapted to such an environment appear. The soils in the region are salty, and their use is limited because of their aridity. The Chaco is irrigated by the rivers Pilcomayo and Paraguay, both of which sprout many tributaries. ==National parks== {{Main|National Parks in the Paraguayan Chaco}} * National Park Defensores del Chaco - 7800 km² (3000 sq. mi.) * National Park Tinfunqué - 2800 km² (1000 sq. mi.) * National Park Teniente Enciso - 400 km² (150 sq. mi.) ==Main cities== * [Villa Hayes](/source/Villa_Hayes) * [Benjamin Aceval](/source/Benjam%C3%ADn_Aceval%2C_Paraguay) * [Mariscal Estigarribia](/source/Marechal_Estigarribia) * [Filadelfia](/source/Filadelfia) [Filadelfia](/source/Filadelfia) is of great importance to the region's economy, mainly because of its lucrative dairy. ==Notes== {{Reflist}} == See also == *[Deforestation in Paraguay](/source/Deforestation_in_Paraguay) *[Chaco (disambiguation)](/source/Chaco_(disambiguation)) *[Departments of Bolivia](/source/Departments_of_Bolivia) *[Departments of Paraguay](/source/Departments_of_Paraguay) == References == * ''La magia de mi Tierra''. Fundación en Alianza. 2007 {{in lang|es}} PARAGUAYAN CHACO FAUNA PARAGUAY. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2016, from http://www.faunaparaguay.com/chaco.html ==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Gran Chaco (Paraguay)}} *[http://www.uninet.com.py/paraguay/chaco.html Chaco Paraguayo] {{Authority control}} {{Coord|22|06|21.1|S| 59|15|23.9|W|display=title}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Chaco (Paraguay)}} Category:Subdivisions of Paraguay Category:Boquerón Department --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Paraguayan Chaco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_Chaco) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_Chaco?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.