Paraguayan Chaco

The Paraguayan Chaco, or Región Occidental (Western Region), is a semi-arid region in Paraguay with low population density. It is the Paraguayan part of the Gran Chaco. The area is being rapidly deforested, with the highest deforestation rate in the Gran Chaco and 50% of the forest projected to be lost by 2030. Covering of 61% of Paraguay's land area, but with little population, the Chaco is one of the most sparsely inhabited areas in South America. The surrounding Gran Chaco area is also a large, sparsely populated region. Many of those living in the region are indigenous. It covers the departments of Boquerón, Alto Paraguay and the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay. The Paraguayan Chaco region, officially bordered since May 14, 1879, was the scene of the longest territorial war in South America, an armed conflict between Paraguay and Bolivia that lasted from 1932 to 1935. It is also home to sites of historical significance that have been preserved, including Boquerón, Campo Grande, Via Campo, Nanawa, the site of the battle of Cañada Strongest, Carmen, Kilometro 7, Picuiba, and Villamontes, amongst others.