The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked country located in the very heart of South America. It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, and is bordered by Bolivia to the northwest, Brazil to the northeast and east, and Argentina to the south and southwest. The name 'Paraguay' is derived from the Guaraní word 'pararaguay' meaning 'from a great river'. The 'great river' is the Paraná River, which produces the greatest amount of hydroelectric power in the world.

Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter', a country little known even to its neighbours. PJ O'Rourke summed it up bluntly when he wrote that "Paraguay is nowhere and famous for nothing". However, on a short visit to the country to cover elections, he promptly fell in love with the place. You might well do the same.