The Hydroelectric Central of Itaipu is result of a team work between two nations: Brazil and Paraguay, aiming to enjoy the hydraulic potential of the waters of the Paraná river, which belongs to both countries. Its reservoir reaches 15 mcities of the West from Paraná State and one from Mato Grosso do Sul State. Itaipu received this name as a hommage to a small island in the Paraná river, over which the Dam is.

This island was called “Itaipu” by the indians, which means “singing stone“ in Tupi-Guarani language, due to the noise made by the water when hitting the rocks. Due to its dimensions, the hydroeletctric is considered “The Work of Century” and one of the Seven Wonders of The Modern World, according to research made by the American Society of Civil Engineering with engineers from all the countries, overcoming the Eurotunnel (built under the English Channel) in the amount of material and workforce that were used.

The hydroelectric started being built in October 17th, 1974 and its 208 th generator unit was put in operation in 2003 and it will enlarge its maximum power installed to 14.000 M.

Nowadays, Itaipu is responsible for supplying 25% of all the enlectricity consumed in the South, Southeast and West Central regions of Brazil, as well as almost 90% of Paraguay. For being such a gigantic enginnering workand for its beauty, the Dam attracts over 500 tourists a year. Since 1977, when it was open to visiting, more than 10 million people from 165 countries have visited it. Na margem brasileira, o maior número de visitantes de Itaipu, até hoje, depois de brasileiros e argentinos, tem como origem à Alemanha, Espanha, Estados Unidos, França, Itália, Japão e o Uruguai.