The Gran Chaco – the huge area to the west of the Rio Paraguay which dissects the country – contains 60% of Paraguay’s territory but only 1% of the population.  In a 1932-5 war with Bolivia, Paraguay annexed the northern part of the Chaco, increasing its land area significantly.

Paraguay’s borders are surely unique as no other country has 3 major rivers defining its borders.  The Rio Parana forms the boundary with Argentina in the south and SE, and the Rio Paraguay, its main tributary, forms the Western boundary and runs through the country’s centre before becoming a boundary with Brazil.  The Rio Pilcomayo splits from the Rio Paraguay at Asuncion, forming the long SW boundary.  

Despite the very long (2000km) border with Argentina, only 2 bridges – at Asuncion and Encarnacion – directly link the 2 countries.  

Paraguay – a forgotten country landlocked in the sub-tropical heart of S. America.

Paraguay has a laissez-faire economy with low taxation and low import duties, which is why hordes of Brazilians flock to the bustling street markets of Ciudad del Este.  

The only time Paraguay ever gets any publicity is when their football team does well in the World Cup.  Like other “forgotten” countries it would like to raise its lowly international profile by doing something, or creating something unique that would “put itself on the map”.  

Paraguay has hosted many European “colonias” in the past – mostly German Mennonites in the torrid and sparsely populated Chaco region, which accounts for about 60% of the country’s area but only contains about 1% of the population.  

At one time there was even a socialist Australian colony.     

One thing Paraguay is richly endowed with is large navigable rivers, notably the Parana and the Paraguay   

A river frontage OA-City would be useful for easy import and export of goods and also for recreational purposes 

The biggest hurdle to jump is to convince their politicians – both those in power and the opposition – to cede power over a minuscule portion of their territory.

OA-Cities could bring enormous long-term benefits to the country, but huge nationalistic egos will have to be overcome first