How do the Eastern Region and the Chaco Boreal differ in Paraguay?

Paraguay is divided by the Paraguay River into two distinct geographic regions: the Eastern Region and the Chaco Boreal (also known as the Región Occidental).1

Key Differences

• Topography and Relief: The Eastern Region is an extension of the Brazilian Plateau, characterized by varied elevations, hills, and mountain ranges like the Amambay and Mbaracayú mountains. In contrast, the Chaco Boreal is a flat, largely featureless tropical lowland plain composed of alluvial mud, clay, and sand.21
• Climate: The Eastern Region generally experiences a subtropical climate with frequent frost. The Chaco Boreal is primarily tropical and significantly more arid, with annual rainfall diminishing to about 30 inches (760 mm) compared to the higher precipitation levels in the east.3
• Settlement and Population: The Eastern Region is the country's primary area for human settlement and population density. The Chaco Boreal is largely uninhabited, with only a small percentage of the population residing there, primarily in Mennonite colonies.245
• Economic Activity: While the Eastern Region supports diverse agriculture and urban centers, the Chaco has historically been dominated by cattle grazing and the extraction of forest products like tannin from quebracho trees.647