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Paraná (state)

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Paraná is a large state in the south of Brazil.

Curitiba 5666
Curitiba 5666

It sits near the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern side. To the north, it borders the state of São Paulo. To the south, it meets Santa Catarina and Argentina. The western edge is formed by the Paraná River. This river also acts as a border with Paraguay.

Cataratas do Iguaçu - panoramio (4)
Cataratas do Iguaçu - panoramio (4)

The land has many different shapes and levels. There is a coastal zone and the Serra do Mar mountains. Beyond the mountains, there are three flat areas called plateaus. Each plateau is lower than the one before it.

The weather in Paraná changes depending on where you go.

Paraná Köppen
Paraná Köppen

The north and west parts have hot summers. The east coast also stays quite warm. In higher areas, the summers are more mild. The average temperature for the whole state stays between 15 and 24 degrees. The city of Palmas is known as the coldest place there. Rainfall is also different across the state. It is lower in the north but higher in the southwest.

Teixeira Soares - State of Paraná, Brazil - panoramio - LUIS BELO
Teixeira Soares - State of Paraná, Brazil - panoramio - LUIS BELO

Some special araucaria forests still grow here too.

Many different groups of people have lived in Paraná.

Memorial Ucraniano - Curitiba
Memorial Ucraniano - Curitiba

Long ago, indigenous groups like the Carijó and Caingangues lived there. European explorers arrived in the 16th century. Later, Spanish settlers and Jesuit priests came to the west. In the 1800s, many people moved from other countries. Many came from Italy, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.

Castrolanda - De Immigrant
Castrolanda - De Immigrant

These families helped build the many towns we see today. Today, the state is home to over 11 million people. Most people in the state follow the Roman Catholic religion.

Paraná is a very important place for the economy of Brazil.

Agro PR Soja em Guarapuava
Agro PR Soja em Guarapuava

It is the fourth largest state for wealth in the country. Farming is a huge part of how the state works. Farmers grow a lot of soybeans, corn, and wheat. Paraná is the top producer of beans in all of Brazil.

Agro PR Milharal em Medianeira
Agro PR Milharal em Medianeira

The state also grows sugar, citrus fruits, and barley. Some of the biggest exports are soybean meal and poultry meat. This work helps provide food for many people around the world.

There are many amazing things to see and do in Paraná.

Vista Aerea Itaipu
Vista Aerea Itaipu

You can visit the National Park of Iguaçu to see huge waterfalls. This park is a special World Heritage Site. Near the border with Paraguay, you can find the Itaipu Dam. This is the largest dam in the entire world.

Arquitetura Prédio Histórico da Universidade Federal do Paraná
Arquitetura Prédio Histórico da Universidade Federal do Paraná

Many people also visit the capital city, Curitiba. It is a major center for learning and business. The state has many big universities for students to attend. Paraná is a place where nature and big cities meet.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:Cataratas do Iguaçu - panoramio (4).jpg
Cataratas do Iguaçu - panoramio (4).jpg
File:Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Paraná, 2001-2024.png
Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year...
File:Paraná Köppen.svg
Paraná Köppen.svg
File:Teixeira Soares - State of Paraná, Brazil - panoramio - LUIS BELO.jpg
Teixeira Soares - State of Paraná, Brazil...
File:Memorial Ucraniano - Curitiba.jpg
Memorial Ucraniano - Curitiba.jpg
File:Castrolanda - De Immigrant.jpg
Castrolanda - De Immigrant.jpg
File:Arquitetura Prédio Histórico da Universidade Federal do Paraná.jpg
Arquitetura Prédio Histórico da...
File:Bibliotecaup.jpg
Bibliotecaup.jpg
File:Agro PR Soja em Guarapuava.jpg
Agro PR Soja em Guarapuava.jpg
File:Cana - Usina Tapejara, Paraná - panoramio.jpg
Cana - Usina Tapejara, Paraná - panoramio.jpg
File:Agro PR Milharal em Medianeira.jpg
Agro PR Milharal em Medianeira.jpg
File:Plantação de cenoura - Marilandia do sul - BR 376 - panoramio.jpg
Plantação de cenoura - Marilandia do sul...

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