The majority of the population of Paraguay lives in the highlands in the eastern part of the country. The Gran Chaco region is too swampy and almost uninhabitable. About 50% of Paraguayans live in cities like the capital Asunción on the Paraguay River. Most of the population is mestizo; and people speak both Spanish and Guarani, the local Indian language.

Agriculture including cotton, grains, and livestock, is the heart of the economy in Paraguay. In cooperation with Brazil, Paraguay built the Itaipu Dam on the Paraná River. It is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects and has been generating electricity for Paraguayans since 1984. Generating its own electricity has helped the country make up for its lack of minerals and other natural resources. Click on each image below to learn more about Paraguay.

It wasn’t until the early 1990s that Paraguay held democratic elections. Before that, they were ruled by a military dictator who reduced political freedom. He was eventually replaced by military officers unhappy with his politics. By 2000, though, peaceful elections occurred in Paraguay allowing a new party to come into power that had not held office for decades.