Paraguay

Paraguay river originates in Paraguay, then runs through Brazil and Argentina before draining into the Parana River in Argentina. The river travels for 1,621 miles till it reaches the Parana River, where it joins it. Unlike other major rivers, the Paraguay River has no single dam, making it navigable for long distances and having the continent's second longest navigable length behind the Amazon. The river's principal uses are fishing and agriculture. Seasonal flooding forces thousands of residents to seek temporary shelter until the floodwaters recede. There are around 350 fish species in the fauna, with 80 of them being indigenous.

The river also serves as a source of commerce through fishing and irrigation for crops along its path. As a result, it sustains a lot of poor fisherman who live along its banks and earn the majority of their money selling fish in local markets, as well as providing a substantial source of food for their families. This has caused problems in large cities like Asunción, where impoverished farmers from the interior of the country have flocked to the river's banks in pursuit of a better life. Seasonal flooding of the river's banks can compel tens of thousands of displaced residents to seek temporary shelter until the floodwaters recede. The Paraguayan military has been compelled to set aside space on one of its reserves in the city for temporary accommodation for the displaced inhabitants. Because of its beauty, the river is a popular tourist destination.

Length: 1,629 miles (shared with Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay)