The Pantanal acts as a nursery in the wet season and a watering hole in the dry season, as other water sources recede. It boasts a high concentration of wildlife like jaguars, caimans, and a multitude of unique bird species.
Paraguay is also home to part of a huge underground reservoir. It is the size of Texas and California combined and contains enough water to sustain the entire world's population for 200 years! On top of that, Paraguay shares the biggest waterfall system in the world. The Iguazu Falls is found on the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Originally, Paraguay proved a good place to settle because the Paraguay river provided easy acess from the river to the rest of the country. The rivers have continued to sustain Paraguay through the creation of many fishing communites, farming in flood plains, and especially through the hydroelectric dam. The dam is able to power the entire country, as well as a large part of Brazil and Argentina, providing Paraguay with cheap electricity and economic opportunity.
The biggest challenges Paraguay faces are due to a lack of environmental conservation and worsening climate change. Paraguay has the highest deforestation rate in South America. Many forests have been destroyed for farming and cattle pastures. There is also a lot of pollution, from dumping trash in the river to burning it, worsening the air quality and overall health of the country.
