Even though Paraguay maintains a strong indigenous culture with its descendants of the Guirani people, the Spanish Empire left its mark on the region and 90 percent of the population are practicing Roman Catholics. This is evident in the traditional Catholic festivals, such as Dia de San Blas and the largest festival in Paraguay, Carnival.
Paraguay is divided by the Río Paraguay into the eastern region, called Eastern Paraguay (Paraguay Oriental) and known as the Paraná region; and the western region, officially called Western Paraguay (Paraguay Occidental) and also known as the Chaco. The country lies between latitudes 19° and 28°S, and longitudes 54° and 63°W. The terrain consists of grassy plains and wooded hills in the east. To the west, there are mostly low, marshy plains.
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest.