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=Río Paraguay = The Río Paraguay is a major river in South America that runs through Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. From its start in Mato Grosso, Brazil to its confluence with the Río de Paraná, it runs a total of 2,549 kilometers (1,584 miles). After its beginning point in Mato Grosso, Brazil it runs to the southwest through the city of Cáceres, Brazil. It then begins flowing to the south going through the Pantanal wetlands, the city of Corumbá, and then runs very close to the Brazil-Bolivia border for a short distance, staying within the Brazilian side. It flows farther south to form the border between Paraguay and Brazil and then flows southwest into Paraguay, splitting the country into two regions: the Gran Chaco region to the west and the eastern region. After the river continues through Paraguay, passing the capital city, Asunción, it forms the border between Argentina and Paraguay. It then flows to the south west until it reaches its confluence with the Río de Paraná (Wilkie)

The Río Paraguay has many uses for the countries it runs through. It has never been dammed for hydroelectric power generation and because of this, it is navigable for a considerable length. It is second, on the continent, only to the Amazon in navigable length. Because of this, the river is very important for shipping and trade for the countries around it. The landlocked countries in South America, Bolivia and Paraguay, benefit greatly from the river because it is their link to the Atlantic Ocean. It also is very important to the poor fisherman who live along its banks because they make a majority of their income by catching fish from the river and selling it at local markets, while also providing food for their families (Wilkie).

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