Paraná River

The Paraná River is the second-longest river in South America. It flows through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina for about 4,880 kilometres (3,030 miles). Among South American rivers, only the Amazon River is longer. The Paraná River joins with the Paraguay River and later with the Uruguay River to form the Río de la Plata, which then flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The first European to travel up the Paraná River was the Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot in 1526, while he was working for Spain.

In 2021, a serious drought caused the river's water level to drop to the lowest it had been in 77 years.

Etymology

In eastern South America, many river names include words like "para-" or "parana-" from the Guarani language. These words mean "river" or "sea". People have tried to find a more exact meaning for the name of this big river, but those ideas have not been accepted.

Course

The Paraná River begins where the Paranaiba and Rio Grande rivers meet in southern Brazil. It flows southwest for about 619 kilometers before reaching the area once known for the Guaíra Falls, now flooded by the Itaipu Dam. The river then runs south, forming a border between Paraguay and Brazil, and merges with the Iguazu River.

Continuing south, the Paraná forms the border between Paraguay and Argentina. It flows for about 468 kilometers before turning west for another 820 kilometers, where it meets the Paraguay River. After joining the Paraguay River, the Paraná turns south again through Argentina, eventually merging with the Uruguay River to create the Río de la Plata, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Main article: Paraná Delta

Tributaries

The Paraná River has several important tributaries. These smaller rivers flow into the Paraná from its mouth.

^*Period: 1971–2000

Uses

The Paraná River and its tributaries form a huge area of water that covers much of south-central South America. This includes all of Paraguay, much of southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and the south-eastern part of Bolivia. If we count the Uruguay River as part of this area, it also covers most of Uruguay. The amount of water that flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Río de la Plata is about the same as what flows from the Mississippi River.

People who live near the river rely on it for food and jobs. Some fish, like the surubí and the sábalo, are important for both local use and selling to other places. The river’s delta is a wonderful place for watching birds.

Much of the Paraná River can be used for travel as part of important water routes. It connects cities deep inside Argentina and Paraguay to the ocean, giving them deepwater ports. Large dams built along the river have changed how it can be used for shipping, but they also help create a lot of electricity. The Yacyretá Dam and the Itaipu Dam have turned Paraguay into a major exporter of hydroelectric power.

Navigation rights

Argentina wanted to build a bridge across the Paraná River, either near Asunción or farther south. Paraguay did not support this until the issue of river navigation rights was settled. Argentina also wanted to develop a large hydroelectric power plant at the Apipé Rapids. Paraguay had already built the Acaray Dam, which provided enough energy for the country and extra power to export to Brazil and Argentina.

In late 1965, Paraguay shared a draft treaty with Argentina. The final agreement on navigation rights was signed in January 1973, allowing free navigation on the river and treating each other's ships as if they were their own. Construction started on the Itaipú Dam that same year.

Links across the Paraná

The Paraná River has several bridges that cross it. These bridges help people and vehicles move from one side to the other along the river's path.