Paraná-Rio de la Plata

Paraná-Rio de la Plata, South America's second-longest river system (4,880 km), flows from Brazil's highlands through Argentina and Paraguay to the Atlantic. A cornerstone of the continent's economy, it fuels the massive Itaipu Dam and supports bustling ports like Buenos Aires. Its basin—home to the Pantanal wetlands and endangered species like giant otters—faces threats from deforestation and dams. From the thunderous Iguazú Falls to the silvery "River of Silver" estuary, this waterway blends ecological splendor with industrial might.