Paraguay is one of two landlocked countries in Latin America (the other one being Bolivia). Like Bolivia, the country has no access to the sea and for four decades it was cut off from the world under the dictator Stroessner and his military force. Compared with other countries in the region, it has received far fewer migrants from Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Paraguay is the only country in Latin America where an indigenous language, Guarani, is an official language in addition to Spanish. The country has a number of assets: a young population, unspoiled nature (ecotourism) and a large agricultural area combined with sizeable herd of livestock. Since the 1990’s, the country has started to connect with the rest of Latin America. This has translated into good relations with neighbouring countries and membership of Mercosur. Historically, Paraguay was much larger in area, but two consecutive wars in and around the Chaco plains in the 19th century meant that a large portion of its territory was lost to Brazil and Argentina.
- EN
- NL