Cordillera Department
Paraguay's heart hosting Caacupe religious pilgrimage site while hilly terrain supports diversified agriculture serving Asuncion markets.
Cordillera occupies Paraguay's geographic heart—a hilly department east of Asuncion where weekend tourism, agricultural diversity, and historical significance create an economy distinct from commodity-focused neighbors. The department's proximity to the capital makes it a recreational destination while its varied terrain supports multiple agricultural activities.
Caacupe hosts Paraguay's most important religious site—the Basilica of the Virgin of Caacupe—that draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually for December 8th celebrations. This religious tourism creates economic activity in hospitality, retail, and transport that distinguishes Cordillera from purely agricultural departments.
The hilly terrain limits mechanized soybean cultivation while supporting cattle, fruits, and vegetables for Asuncion's markets. This creates agricultural diversity that commodity departments lack. Small-scale farming persists in zones where topography prevents consolidation.
Historical sites related to the devastating Triple Alliance War (1864-1870), during which Paraguay lost most of its male population, attract heritage tourism. The war's memory shapes Paraguayan national identity, with Cordillera hosting battlefields and memorials. By 2026, expect continued religious and heritage tourism, agricultural diversification serving capital markets, and Cordillera's role as Asuncion's rural recreational zone to strengthen.