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Paraguay The Geography
The Paraguay River divides the country into sharply contrasting regions: Paraguay proper (or Paraguay Oriental) east of the river, and the Gran Chaco (or Paraguay Occidental) west of the river. The Paraguay River is the country’s principal waterway. The Gran Chaco is part of an alluvial plain that extends from Paraguay into Bolivia on the west, Argentina on the south, and Brazil on the east. Grassy plains, swamps, and scrub forests cover the area.
Paraguay proper consists mainly of a low plain, rolling hills, and a plateau at an elevation of 300 to 600 m (1,000 to 2,000 ft) above sea level. The plateau is part of the Paraná plateau, which extends into Brazil. It descends sharply on its western edge to a region of fertile grassy foothills and valleys. Numerous streams water this area and drain into the Paraguay. The low plain near the river floods periodically. The plateau and the fertile hills and lowlands near the river contain most of the country’s population and economic activity. Asunción and Concepción are the principal cities on the Paraguay River.
The Paraná River flows southward across the plateau. It plunges over the edge of the plateau in a series of spectacular waterfalls known as Guaíra Falls. The river then enters a narrow canyon. After flowing across the country the Paraguay River enters the Paraná near the southwestern tip of Paraguay. Lake Ypoá is the only large inland body of water.
The Gran Chaco is a low, flat alluvial plain that extends into several South American countries—Bolivia on the west, Argentina on the south, and Brazil on the east. Grassy plains, swamps, and scrub forests cover the area. The Pilcomayo River and other streams cross the Gran Chaco. Flowing only during the rainy season, these streams shift their courses frequently. The Pilcomayo joins the Paraguay River at Asunción.
Climate
The climate of Paraguay is subtropical. In the summer warm winds blow from the northeast. During the mild winters cold winds sometimes blow from the south. The Chaco is hotter than the rest of the country. It has heavy rainfall in the summer and almost no rain in the winter. Rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year in the rest of the country.
At Asunción average temperatures range from about 17°C (about 63°F) in July, which is winter south of the equator, to about 27°C (about 80°F) in January. In the Chaco and other points to the north temperatures often reach 38°C (100°F). Annual rainfall averages some 1,120 mm (44 in) in the Asunción area, some 815 mm (32 in) in the Gran Chaco, and some 1,525 mm (60 in) in the eastern forest regions.
Natural Resources
The primary resources of Paraguay are its fertile soil and its forests. It has few mineral resources; limestone, copper, clay, and petroleum are the most important. Paraguay’s rivers, well suited for hydroelectric projects, are another important resource. Paraguay imports all of its petroleum.
Plants and Animals
The plants and animals of Paraguay are substantially the same as those of neighboring South American countries. Paraguay proper, where rainfall is heavy, is covered by dense evergreen forests interspersed with a wide variety of tropical grasses, ferns, palms, and exotic flowers. In the Gran Chaco, vegetation is comparatively sparse but includes the red quebracho tree, a rich source of tannin extract. The plains are covered by coarse tropical reeds, grasses, and stunted trees.
The animals of Paraguay include armadillos, capybaras (a type of large rodent), tapirs, jaguars, anteaters, wild boar, deer, caiman, and various species of snake. Among the local birds are toucans, ibis, herons, parrots, black ducks, partridges, rhea, and parakeets. Many of these birds exhibit strikingly beautiful plumage. |
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