The Paraguayan Chaco is a semi-arid, sparsely populated area in Northern Paraguay, and is a rich ecosystem. It covers around 60% of Paraguay, with vast areas of dry forest, thorn scrub, savannah and seasonal wetlands.
The local fauna includes jaguars, pumas, giant anteaters, armadillos, Chacoan peccaries (tagua) and an extraordinary variety of birds. The larger mammals are elusive, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Much of it is sparsely populated, although there are also some cattle ranches, Mennonite settlements and Indigenous communities.
Among them is Filadelfia, founded in the early 20th Century and whose inhabitants still live their lives according to their beliefs, and are run by large cooperatives.
Chaco makes for a fascinating visit.
