The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Because of its central location within South America, Paraguay is sometimes called the Heart of America. The Paraguay River bisects the country from north to south into an eastern region (grassy plains and wooded hills) and a western region (mostly low, marshy plains). Its climate ranges from subtropical in the east to temperate and semi-arid in the west.

Places We Protect in Paraguay

The Nature Conservancy has been working closely with conservation partners in Paraguay since 1987 to protect the country's unique habitats.  Although Paraguay is a landlocked nation and only about the size of the state of California, it harbors a suprising amount of biodiversity. For instance, Paraguay supports more than 650 species of birds -- about as many as all of North America. More than 13,000 vascular plant species are also found here.

The Paraguay River bisects the nation into two contrasting ecological regions. To the west extends the relentlessly hot Chaco, an enormous landscape of dry forest, thorny scrub, wetlands, and seasonal rivers and streams. Also in the northwestern The Chaco contains 60% of Paraguay’s land but just 10% of its inhabitants. The northwestern corner of the country also includes the rich Pantanal wetlands. Paraguay’s eastern half harbors the lush but highly threatened Interior Atlantic Forest, which supports the majority of the country’s industry, agriculture, and population.

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