Part of the world's second largest forest area, the Chaco is vast, incredibly flat and sparsely populated - by people, that is. Its plains, thorn thickets, palm forests, and marshes are home to a Noah's Ark of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including threatened species such as pumas and jaguars.
Rare moments of civilisation include the Mennonite colonies - where German, blonde hair and bratwurst are as an intrinsic a part of life as the searing temperatures.
A landlocked country in the heart of South America, Paraguay is little-known and little-travelled. That could all be changing, however - after nearly two centuries of political instability and isolation, the country is finally in a position to welcome visitors.
Those who venture here - either as part of a South American expedition or as an exclusive trip - will be pleasantly surprised by the country's relaxed way of life, friendly people and natural beauty.
Most of the attractions are to be found in the fertile eastern zone, which is separated from the dry Chaco in the west by the River Paraguay. The capital, Asunción, laid out on hills above the river's east bank, has colonial architecture, museums and peaceful parks, all a quick stroll from each other.
Not far off is the weavers' town of Itaguá, where the speciality is beautiful, rainbow-hued ñandutí (spider web lace), and Luque, home of the famous Paraguayan harps and guitars.
Head east to the border with Brazil, where the vast, thundering waters of the Iguazú Falls are a spectacular sight. The ruins of the eight Jesuit reducciones (missions) in the south hold some excellent examples of 17th and 18th-century South American art, and also offer an insight into a fascinating chapter in Paraguayan history.
Jesus de Tavarangué and Santissima Trinidad de Paranà - are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and are especially worthy of a visit.
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