On the west of the country lies the Paraguayan Chaco, a vast region with torrid and palm groves, swamps, lowland forests and dry savanna zones, populated by a varied flora and fauna. There are: the city of Fuerte Olimpo, in the region of El Pantanal (region extending to Brazil and Bolivia), and the Mennonite communities of Loma Plata, Filadelfia, Neuland and Lolita.
Asuncion, the capital of the Republic, founded in 1537 in a bay formed by the Paraguay River, is the largest urban conglomeration in the country, cultural centers, art galleries, museums, parks, casinos and everything you need to organize great trade fairs, congresses and international conventions.
Other sites of interest are: Lake Ypacarai (known as 'The Blue Lake'), favorite vacation spot for many Argentines and Paraguayans; Itaipu, the world's largest hydroelectric complex; the Jesuit Ruins, includingJesús de Tavarangué and Santísima Trinidad del Paraná (both in the department of Itapúa) declared 'World Heritage' by the UNESCO; also Ayolas, Yacyretá, Atinguy - for fishing enthusiasts, with its goldfish mines, and where it's possible to find the 'tigerfish'.
