CONCEPCION or VILLA CONCEPCION, the principal town and a river port of northern Paraguay, on the Paraguay river, 138m. (234m. by river) N. of Asuncion, and about 345ft. above sea-level. Pop. (1926), 15,000, largely Indians and mesti zos. It is an important commercial centre, and a port of call for the river steamers trading with the Brazilian town of Corumba, Matto Grosso. It is the principal point for the exportation of Paraguay tea, or "yerba mate" (Ilex paraguayensis). The neigh bouring country is sparsely settled and produces little except forest products.