Paraguay is a little-known landlocked country, which has found itself somewhat isolated from even its neighbours in the past by geography and politics. Since 1811, when it became independent, Paraguay has been governed mainly by dictatorships and has endured a number of costly wars against neighbouring countries.
However, Paraguay has taken a number of steps to overcome its political, economic and geographic situation and is building a more welcoming image. The country can boast many attractions: grassy plains and an untamed wilderness of marshes, lagoons, dense forests, jungles, national parks, Jesuit missions and the Chaco, one of South America's great wilderness areas.
