Rivers of Paraguay

Historically it had strategic importance for Portuguese colonists, who continuously attempted to control this communication channel providing access to the Paraguay River, which was a fast way to reach the gold mines of Cuyabá.

The whole area surrounding the river was committed to defending the sovereignty of Paraguay in the delicate dispute with Portugal for the possession of the region that produced mate herb in Igatimí.

For that reason Curuguaty was chosen by the dictator José Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia as a place of imprisonment of the Uruguayan leader General Jose Gervasio Artigas when he applied for asylum in Paraguay.

The river's opening, close to 24 degrees south latitude, was an active meeting place for traders engaged in the provision of goods for crews of boats and residents of neighboring villages.

There were piles of firewood in the canyons of the river—basic material for the operation of boilers and steam plants—and thousands of rolls of hardwood accumulated waiting to be shipped to ports below.

The Manduvirá ends in the Paraguay River, a short distance from Asunción, destiny of passengers and pedestrians who accompanied their loads of fruit, tobacco and alcohol.

These were close to the famous Saltos del Monday, that ended in the Paraná River, where cargo was transferred to larger capacity ships.