Paraguay is an introvert country that borders on Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. During a large part of this century it was one of the most notorious and durable police states, but it now is gradually getting used to being a democratic republic. The Paraguay River divides the country into two contrasting regions, in the west, the Gran Chaco, or Paraguay Occidental, and in the east, Paraguay proper, or Paraguay Oriental. The country has a relaxed capital, Asunción on the east side of the river and which is about the only real city in the country. It’s the both political and economic center of the land. Most of its architecture dates back to the nineteenth century, when some charismatic dictators established the Paraguayan identity. Other cities that have their roots in history are: Concepción, General Eugenio A Garay, Perdo Juan Caballero and Coronel Oviedo. The fifty years young city of Ciudad del este grew much during the construction of a huge nearby hydroelectric project, and now survives by being Argentina´s and Brazil´s shopping center for all sorts of illegaly imported goods. The country’s main sights are the countless waterfalls that are really worth a visit, but also some impressive Jesuit missions, several national parks and of course the plains, swamps and forests of the Gran Chaco. Here you can also experience the real country life of the Paraguayan cowboys that breed one of the lands mayor sources of income.