Paraná

Paraná is a state in southern Brazil. It's an incredibly culturally rich and diverse state, blending characteristics of the Portuguese, indigenous and African cultures present in most of Brazil, with those of varied immigrant groups such as German, Polish, Syrian-Lebanese and Japanese. However, for very comprehensible reasons, the most visited attraction of the state — as well as of the whole country — are the awe-inspiring Iguaçu Falls.

Cities

 * – the capital, known worldwide for its innovative urban planning and famous Botanic Gardens
 * — this center of the ceramics industry has many historic monuments
 * — it hosts the Cascavel de Ouro racing event, the Coopavel Rural Show, the Livestock Show, and motorsport events
 * – main gateway to the Iguaçu Falls and cultural mix with Argentina and Paraguay
 * — a wealthy center of a coffee-producing region
 * – modern but charming city with a rich Japanese and Syrian–Lebanese heritage
 * — home to Vila Velha State Park and the National Dark Draft Beer Party
 * — the center of Brazil's Ukrainian community

Other destinations

 * — the world-famous waterfall, and, which has many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, among them the giant otter and the giant anteater. The clouds of spray produced by the waterfall are conducive to the growth of lush vegetation
 * — this island's attractions are its beaches, diving, the fortress and the lighthouse
 * — near Guaraqueçaba
 * — this park near Ponta Grossa features many massive sandstone formations which resemble castles, towers, animals, and other objects.

Understand
Paraná has what is left of the araucaria forest, one of the most important subtropical forests in the world. At the border with Argentina is the National Park of Iguaçu, considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 40 km from there, at the border with Paraguay, the largest dam in the world was built, the Hidroelétrica de Itaipu (Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam).

Before the arrival of European settlers, indigenous populations inhabited the region for thousands of years. They included the Carijó in the lands closer to the sea, from the Tupi group, and the Caingangues in the interior, who belonged to the Jê group. In the 1940s, the northern part of the state was settled as a result of the expansion of the São Paulo coffee industry.

The main economic activities are agriculture, industry (agribusiness, automotive, and paper) and plant extraction (wood and yerba mate). In agriculture, the state stands out in the production of soybeans, maize, wheat, sugarcane, cassava, beans, tomato, orange and yerba mate.

Get in

 * Afonso Pena International Airport in Curitiba
 * Foz do Iguaçu International Airport in in Foz do Iguaçu

See

 * The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves — a UNESCO World Heritage site