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Paraguay (Large river of South America)

a large river of South America, an affluent of the Paraná, rises in the Brazilian province of Matto Grosso, 9,535 feet above sea-level. Pursuing a S. W. course, and after flowing through a level country covered with thick forests, the Paraguay is joined from the W. by the Jauru, in lat. 16° 30′ S. It then continues to flow S. through the marsh of Xarayes, which, during the season when the stream rises, is an expansive waste of waters, extending from N. to S. over about 200 miles. The river still pursues a circuitous but generally S. course, forming the boundary line between Brazil and Bolivia, thence flowing S. S. W. through the territories of Paraguay to its junction with the Paraná, a few miles above the town of Corrientes. Its chief affluents are the Cuyaba, Tacoary, Mondego, and Apa on the left; and the Jauru, Pilcomayo, yo, and Vermejo on the right. The entire length of the river is estimated at 1,800 miles; it is on an average about half a mile in width, and is navigable for steamers to the mouth of the Cuyaba, 100 miles above the town of Corumba.