Paraguay River Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Paraguay River
Rio Paraguay, Río Paraguay
River
View of Paraguay River near Asunción
Countries	Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia

Tributaries
- left	Negro River, Miranda River, Apa River
- right	Jauru River, Pilcomayo River, Bermejo River

Mouth	Paraná River
- elevation	50 m (164 ft)
- coordinates	27°18′S 58°38′W / 27.300°S 58.633°W / -27.300; -58.633

Length	2,621 km (1,629 mi)
Basin	365,592 km² (141,156 sq mi)
Discharge
- average	2,700 m³/s (95,000 cu ft/s)

The Paraguay River is a very important river in the middle of South America. It flows through four different countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. This amazing river is about 2,621 kilometers (1,629 miles) long. It starts in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil and eventually joins the mighty Paraná River in Argentina.

The Paraguay River is super important for the people and wildlife in this part of the world. It helps with transportation, provides water, and is home to many different animals.

Where Does the Paraguay River Flow?
- Journey Through Countries
- Meeting Other Rivers
Life Along the River
- Important Cities and Ports
- The Pantanal: A Natural Wonder
  - Animals of the River and Wetlands
Why is the River Important?
Images for kids
See also

Where Does the Paraguay River Flow?

The Paraguay River begins its journey in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. It then flows south, forming natural borders between countries.

Journey Through Countries

Brazil: The river starts here, in the highlands of Mato Grosso.
Bolivia: A small part of the river forms the border with Bolivia.
Paraguay: The river flows right through the middle of Paraguay, dividing the country into two parts. It's so important that the country is named after it!
Argentina: Finally, the river reaches Argentina, where it joins the Paraná River.

Meeting Other Rivers

Many smaller rivers flow into the Paraguay River. These are called tributaries. Some of the important ones include the Pilcomayo River and the Bermejo River. These tributaries add more water to the Paraguay River as it flows south.

Life Along the River

The Paraguay River is a lifeline for many cities and towns. It also supports incredible wildlife.

Important Cities and Ports

The biggest city along the river is Asunción, which is the capital city of Paraguay. Asunción has a busy port where ships can load and unload goods. This makes the river a vital pathway for trade and travel. Other important places include Corumbá in Brazil and Puerto Busch in Bolivia. Puerto Busch is Bolivia's only direct access to the sea, even though it's far inland!

The Pantanal: A Natural Wonder

A huge part of the Paraguay River basin is covered by the Pantanal. This is one of the world's largest tropical wetlands. It's a massive area of swamps and grasslands that floods during the rainy season. The Pantanal is famous for its amazing wildlife.

Animals of the River and Wetlands

The Paraguay River and the Pantanal are home to many different animals. You can find:

Fish: Lots of different fish species live here, like the golden dorado and piranhas. Fishing is a popular activity.
Birds: Many colorful birds, including macaws, storks, and egrets, live near the river.
Mammals: You might spot jaguars, capybaras (the world's largest rodents), and giant otters.
Reptiles: Caimans (like small alligators) and anacondas are also common in the wetlands.

Why is the River Important?

The Paraguay River plays a huge role in the lives of millions of people.

Transportation and Trade

The river acts like a natural highway. Boats and barges use it to transport goods like soybeans, minerals, and cattle. This helps the economies of the countries it passes through. It's much cheaper to move heavy goods by river than by road or rail.

Water Source

The river provides fresh water for drinking, farming, and industry. Many communities rely on the river for their daily water needs.

Tourism and Nature

The beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife along the Paraguay River attract tourists from all over the world. People come to fish, watch birds, and explore the unique ecosystems of the Pantanal.

Images for kids

The Paraguay-Bolivia-Brazil tripoint map.
Deep water port on the River Paraguay in Asunción, Paraguay
The very clear waters of the Rio da Prata, part of the Paraguay River basin near Bonito, Brazil, is rich in fish, such as Brycon hilarii (yellowish) and Prochilodus lineatus (dark)
A golden dorado (foreground) and four Brycon hilarii (behind) in Rio da Prata, part of the Paraguay River basin near Bonito, Brazil
Paraguay River in the Amolar Mountains, in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
The Paraguay River around Isla del Cerrito, Argentina-Paraguay border. The Paraguay River passes through 2 Argentine provinces: Formosa and Chaco. (The image has been rotated eastwardly).
Puerto Busch, located directly along the Paraguay River, in the progressive Southeastern Bolivia, is Bolivia's only sovereign exit to the sea and has a deep water port under construction.