Paraguay is a land locked country between Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia in South America. The latitude and longitude of the country is 23°S and 58°W respectively. The Rio Paraguai River dissects the country into two halves.
The eastern portion is called Paranena region and the western portion is called the Gran Chaco region. According to the physical geography of Paraguay mainly grassy plains and wooded hills lays in the eastern Paraguay and Gran Chaco region has marshy lands.
According to the Geography of Paraguay, climate of Paraguay varies a great deal between Paranena region and in the Gran Chaco region in Paraguay. Paranena region has a subtropical climate while the Chaco has a tropical climate.
The natural resources of the country include:
- Hydropower
- Timber
- Iron ore
- Manganese
- Limestone
Interior Atlantic Forest of Paraguay covers mainly the eastern portion of the country. Two natural reserves San Rafael National Park and Mbaracayu Natural Reserve are located in Paraguay forests. These are the abode of a large variety of flora and fauna. Soft and hardwood trees, Yerba mate and several varieties of ferns are found in the forests. A number of endemic species of birds are also located here. San Rafael National Park is the paradise for birds. A huge rate of deforestation is recently being witnessed.
Paraguay Flora and Fauna
A rich diversity of Paraguay Flora and Fauna is available in Paraguay. The eastern portion of the country is dominated by Interior Atlantic Forest of Paraguay where diverse flora and fauna are found.
The Flora of Paraguay is mainly concentrated on the Parana plateau as the plateau receives heavy rainfall. The vegetation found here are the tall broad leaved trees, evergreen and deciduous trees. Palm and scrub woodland also adorn the sandy plateau areas. Between the semi deciduous forest and the Paraguay River, savanna type mixed with scattered palms vegetation is mainly formed. In the Chaco region mainly deciduous scrub woodlands are found. Towards the west the vegetation becomes more xerophytic with the decrease of rainfall. The eastern forests are mainly dominated by hardwood trees like urunday, cedron, curupay, and lapacho. Yerba mate is a plant which has great medicinal value.
Paraguay fauna is diverse and a number of species are endemic to Paraguay.
There are about 80 endemic birds located in Paraguay. Some species of animals are becoming endangered here. The endangered animals include:
- Jaguar
- Maned wolf
- Tapir
- White-lipped peccary
- Collared anteater
- The endemic species of birds include:
- Harpy eagle
- Blue-winged macaw
- Red-and-green macaw
- Black-fronted piping guan
- Bare-faced curassow
San Rafael National Park and Mbaracayu Natural Reserve are the two national parks where great initiatives are being taken to protect the flora and fauna in Paraguay.
Paraguay Forests
Paraguay is a South American land locked country. The terrain of the country is characterized by grassy plains and to the east lays the wooded hills. The eastern half of the country is mainly dominated by Paraguay forests. The most prominent among Paraguay forests is the Interior Atlantic Forest of Paraguay. Atlantic Forest in Paraguay sprawls over 3,236,000 acres.
In the Paraguay’s Interior Atlantic Forest lies the San Rafael National Park which constitutes 173,000-acres of land. The forest is has great biological diversity. San Rafeal is famous for birds. A number of endemic species of birds live in Sun Rafael. The Mbaracayu Natural Reserve in eastern Paraguay lies in eastern Paraguay near the border of Brazil and sprawls over 159,000-acres of land. The plants that are mainly found here include:
- Soft and hardwood trees
- Yerba mate used for medical purpose
- Several varieties of ferns
Paraguay Regions
The two major natural Paraguay Regions are the Chaco region which is a huge prime plain and the Paranena region which is a combination of undulating hills, plateaus and valleys. About 90 percent of the population of Paraguay inhabit in the Paranena region which is one of the Paraguay Regions.
The Paranena region, which is inclusive of the region of Paraguay, is having all the noteworthy geographical features and the type of weather is much more conventional. The Chaco region is chiefly plain area and also it has proclivity towards Rio Paraguay that is alternatively dry and flooded.
Paraguay River
The Paraguay river has greatly influenced the geographical character of the country. The rivers Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana and the tributaries of both the rivers describe the major part of the border of the country of Paraguay. The Paraguay river provides drainage for the country and also serves as the way for transport.
The Parana River is a river of South America that has the course through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The Parana River has flows to a length of about 2570 kilometers. The Parana River is considered to be the second largest river in terms of size just after the Amazon River. Most of the length of the Parana River is passable and is also used as the water way.
The third largest river of Paraguay is the river Rio Pilcomayo. This particular river flows into the Rio Paraguay near Asuncion. The character of the river remains sluggish and marshy during most of the course.
Crafts of small size can navigate. Estero Patino receives water by the Rio Pilcomayo when it overflows.