Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the world's largest hydroelectric dam. The
hydroelectric plant has 18 turbo generators
that supply 75 million kilowatts of electricity
an hour. Amazingly, just one-third of one gen-
erator would fulfill all of Paraguay's electric
needs! The dam's 390-meter-wide (1,280 feet)
spillway can discharge over 62,000 cubic
meters or eight trillion gallons of water per sec-
ond. The reservoir created by the dam holds
over 29 trillion liters of water.
Construction of Itaipú was a joint undertaking
by Brazil and Paraguay as the result of a treaty
signed by the two nations in 1973. Brazil
financed most of the $25 billion required for its
construction, and as many as 40,000 workers
were employed during peak periods. A company
town was established nearby which could
accommodate 9,000 residents.
There is a visitor's center at the dam. Four
tours are given daily, Monday through Satur-
day, each preceded by a short film. Inquire at
your hotel regarding transportation to Itaipú.
You may want to consider hiring a driver and
requesting that he also take you to the
Tres
Fronteras
, the point at which the Iguazú and
Paraná rivers converge. You can see Argentina,
Brazil and Paraguay from here. Each country is
marked by a monument in the colors of its flag
on its riverbank: blue and white for Argentina;
red, white and blue for Paraguay; and green
and yellow for Brazil. The Iguazú runs between
Brazil and Argentina, while the Paraná sepa-
rates Brazil and Paraguay. This is also a good
