The Corazon de America—the Heart of America… This is Paraguay’s nickname because of its location, which is in the middle of the South American continent. Being in the middle also means that it is a landlocked nation. The country has a land area of 406,752 square kilometers (100 million acres).
Paraguay is known for going to war for its natural resources. It was at war with Brazil, from which Paraguay lost the Iguazu Falls, which is now one of Brazil’s most famous attractions. It also went to war for Gran Chaco, which is a lowland natural region. This time, Paraguay got to keep the Chaco Plain for its 7.1 million people.
It may be a landlocked country, which means it lacks oceans and coastline, but over 99% of its electricity came from hydroelectric plants. Incidentally, the name Paraguay also means “water of the Payagua.” Payagua is a native tribe in this South American country. Para also means country, gua means from and Paya means water.
Paraguay is one of the least visited countries in South America, which is a surprise considering its great natural beauty, rich history, and culture. For those who happen to visit the country, they should drop by the following national parks:
1. Cerro Cora National Park
This is the largest protected land in Paraguay at 55 square kilometers (13,684 acres). It is situated in the Amambay Department and was the setting for the Paraguayan War in 1870. The war considered the worst in Latin American history, was between Paraguay and the alliance of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
The park is famous not just for its natural resources but also for its archeological importance. The park has some petroglyphs inscribed in large rock formations, which were used as shelters in the medieval times. According to experts, some of the inscriptions were from 5,000 years ago.
The park’s landscape is so neat and tantalizing because of the valley and hills. Among the hills in the park are Alambique, Guazo, Miron, Ponta Pora, Tacura Pyta, Taqueria y Tangaro, and the Cerro Cora, which has an elevation of 318 meters.
The hills are blanketed with a forest that is lush and is a great habitat for many animals and birds. One of the favorite spots within the park is the Wall Hill, which is a hill that resembles a wall. The rainforest in the area experienced great deforestation, which prompted authorities to establish the park in 1976.
2. Medanos del Chaco National Park
The name translates to Dunes of the Chaco. Chaco, of course, is a vast plain that borders Paraguay and Bolivia and used to be contested. Since Paraguay won the right over the area through a bloody war, it is just right that some of its parts will be protected. The park is a dry ecosystem that provides a special place for flora and fauna. Not only that, but some dunes need to be protected. The dunes are the reasons for the park’s establishment. The name speaks for itself.
Among the animals that reside in the park are Geoffrey’s cat, giant anteater, giant armadillo, jaguar, jaguarondi, puma, and tapir. There are also close to 150 species of birds documented in the park. It is considered an important route for migratory birds.
3. Nacunday National Park
This park protects the most important waterfall in Paraguay: Salto Nacunday. The fall is around 35 to 40 meters high—not too high—but it is 110 meters wide. There is also an island under the waterfall, which geologists say were formed over time. The river from the waterfall is a great habitat for various species of fish. The park also houses some other animals including a large number of birds. The park is also lined with lush forest with various species of trees and plants.
4. Ybycui National Park
Beautiful waterfalls can be found in this park, but they are hidden within the majestic rainforest. It is a great place for so many activities. One of the most favored activities is hiking around the park. It is so amazing to just walk amongst the trees and find refreshing waterfalls, every now and then. There are also amazing butterflies within the park, some of which fly along the hiking routes. The most common species in the park is the blue Morpho butterfly. They cannot be missed because of the iridescent blue wings, which perfectly contrast the green plants and trees in the area. These butterflies also need protection because the blue color is considered valuable among collectors. They have been hunted for years but of course, it would be illegal to catch these butterflies from the park.
For those who want to just tour the park, they should make time for swimming—the waterfalls and streams are just too enticing to ignore. Some of the water bodies are flanked by unique rock formations and imposing rock structures. The park is also a great birding area. Among the commonly sighted birds in the area are parakeets, tanagers, tityras, and trogons.
5. Ypoa National Park
The wetlands in the park are significant for Paraguay. It earned a spot on the list of Ramsar Wetland in 1995. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat is a treaty among international members of UNESCO to protect wetlands because they keep aquatic birds alive, rested, and bred. When it comes to this park, the goal was to protect the wetlands in Neembucu, one of the departments in Paraguay.
The park traverses the departments of Central, Neembucu, and Paraguari. Aside from the wetlands, the park also aims to protect the natural beauty ensconced within the protected area. The plants are not only lush, but they are also varied. Among them are espinillo, inga, lapacho, Palo negro, and yvyra ovi. Among the vegetation in the wetlands are camalote, caña brava, and piri. Among the park’s animal residents are crocodiles, monkeys, rabbits, snakes, among others.