Chaco Department

Chaco was a department of Paraguay that was merged with Alto Paraguay.

In Bolivia some people support the idea to create a department with that name (Departamento del Chaco). It would include most of Bolivia's natural gas reserves. [cite web|url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/democracy_power/politics_protest/bolivia_three_cities|title=Bolivia: a tale of two (or rather three) cities|author=John Crabtree|date=September 18 2007|accessdate=2007-09-19|work=Open Democracy]

The" 'Paraguayan Chaco"' or territory of Western Paraguay is a vast region, semi-arid and with very low population density.

The fascinating Chaco in general, is a large area but not very populated the indigenous culture of native peoples and remains part of the most salient feature of the area. It covers the departments of Boquerón, Upper Paraguay and Department of Presidente Hayes , Paraguay.

Chaco was the scene of the last war territories that took place in South America (1932 - 1935), an armed conflict between Paraguay and Bolivia, and that era are preserved some sites of historical significance: Boquerón, Campo Grande, Via Campo, Nanawa, Cañada Strongest, Carmen ,Kilometro 7, Picuiba, Villamontes, among others.

Location

Chaco is located between the Pilcomayo and Paraguay rivers, and saline soils are a rich variety of plants and animals.

Its boundaries are:

To the west with Argentina by the Pilcomayo River.

To the south-east with the Brazil over the mouth of Apa river.

At the north is the border with Bolivia.

The fascinating Chaco is a vast plain, the indigenous culture of native peoples remains intact and this is part of the most salient feature of the area.

Animals

The fauna has deer, monkeys and reptiles large as lies or alligator,curiyú or anaconda (kind of snakes and capybara, rodent very dear to his flesh and skin.

The area has large quantities of jabirú, heron s, mbiguá so cormorants duck s wild, macaw blue, toucans and parrots of different species, the surubí, pacú, gold (kind of fish)are characteristic of the rivers.

In the Chaco there are 53 species of mammals, unfortunately, the greatest threat is the number of hunters with lack environmental awareness, a situation which endangers wildlife in the area in particular.

Flora

Forests have the largest ecological wealth, can get very tough and resistant woods, among which include the palo santo, quebracho, clover and guatambú.

Main features

The main feature is that it is optimal for establishments and stays, taking into account the extensive land prepared for it.

The ecotourism, is its potential, bearing in mind that is unlimited for distraction, at the low growth of weeds, which makes excellent for its rich biodiversity, allowing enjoy the same experiences of Amazon with a climatic diversity, geographic and ethnic mainly in their environment.

Actual site is of interest to tourism, hunting of wild species and also by the annual Trans Chaco Rally, automotive event of great importance, since it is considered one of the most difficult the continent, mainly because their roads dry, dusty and extreme heat that hamper the entire journey.

Its cultural diversity, religious and economic, it is a paradise living in Chaco. Anyone who wishes to enjoy and adventure tourism is in the right place.

The originality of the most wonderful Chaco can be seen at night because the animals they hold during the day and prefer to leave during night hours, that makes it possible to appreciate the variety of fauna heritage Chaco.

Indigenous people still stay with their customs, specifically northward of Chaco, there can know their culture and acquire the fine crafts they produce. In the forest reserves are the language, Sanapaná and Nivakle.

The karanda'y, is the material used for the manufacture of handbags, wallets, vases, porta tereré (bags to hold thermos for tereré, the typical summer drink) carrying baskets and mate. It is important to mention that native are experts in natural medicine, know the different diseases with their healing herbs that achieve amazing results for health. The thorny varieties are replacing the trees with deciduous leaves.

Chaco also offers an excellent option rural tourism. As an example we can mention the Estancia La Patria, Km. 652 - Route Trans-Chaco - Department of Boquerón; Colony Neuland, was created by the national government with the aim of boosting the development of this area of the country, located 110 kilometers from Infante Rivarola, military post located right on the border with Bolivia.

* Chaco has the Paraguay River and its tributaries - ports and jetties.
* Airport Mariscal Estigarribia - stays at airports throughout the Chaco.
Asunción - Pozo Colorado - Filadelfia capital of the Mennonite Colony Fernheim - visiting 22 major colonies (agro-industrial production)
* Indigenous settlements
* Visit to Mariscal Estigarribia

Chaco area is very famous for the large number of hunters who visit despite a ban on hunting of endangered animals.

It is a high floodplain with a gentle slope to the east. It is the area of lower rainfall 400 mm / year basis sandy to sandy franc.

These soils have been used in limited scale because of its remoteness from traditional consumer markets, hence their almost complete ecological purity.

Some areas are flooded temporarily, allowing enrichment of species adapted to that environment. Its soils are salty, its use is limited, given their low humidity.

The Chaco is watered by great rivers Pilcomayo and Paraguay, with its many tributaries and a singularity, with the ecological paradise "Estero Patiño" drainage Pilcomayo half.

=National parks=

* National Park Defensores del Chaco - 7800 km²
* National Park Tinfunqué - 2800 km²
* National Park Teniente Enciso - 400 km²

Main cities

* Villa Hayes
* Mariscal Estigarribia
* Filadelfia

The latter of great importance to the region's economy, mainly by their dairies.

Tribes and their locations

The language families and their locations:

*On the Paraguay River in central-east is the language family-Maskoy Language Toba
*The Pilcomayo River in the south-east is the language family Mataco Nivaclé - Maka
*On the Paraguay River in north-east is the language family Zamuco, Chamacoco (Moro), Ayoreo (Moro)
*In the Lower Chaco, compared to Asuncion is the language family guaicurúes emake
*Al nor-oeste, límite con Bolivia, se encuentra la familia lingüística Guaraní (neolítica) Chiriguanos (Guarayos) Tapieté.

Notes

References

* La magia de mi Tierra. Fundación en Alianza. 2007
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal ]

External links

* [http://www.uninet.com.py/paraguay/chaco.html Chaco Paraguayo]

ee also

*Chaco
*Departments of Bolivia
*Departments of Paraguay