Immigration to Paraguay to the 2002 census, 84,2% of immigrants in Paraguay come from Brazil and Argentina. The first Europeans to arrive in what is now Paraguayan territory were Spaniards who left a palpable cultural heritage even today. The government of Carlos Antonio López was marked by a period of international openness including immigration and attracting settlers to populate the country. Geographically, Paraguay can be divided into two parts: The Chaco or Western Region, and the Eastern Region, where Asunción is located, as well as the other main cities of the country. The Chaco is the largest region by area with about 60%
History of Paraguay History of Paraguay The history of Paraguay is a result of development and interaction of varying cultures of indigenous peoples in Paraguay and overseas immigrants who together have created the modern-day Paraguay. Paraguay celebrates Independence Day on May 15, from 1811 to now. William E. Barrett wrote: "Paraguay is the country of prophecy. One of the two smallest nations [as of 1952] on the American continent, it was the first American communistic state, the first American nation to be governed by an absolute dictator (in the modern sense of the term)." The first Spaniards reached this territory in early 16th