REGIONAL CONTEXT

Regional Context of Ciudad del Este

Ciudad del Este is Paraguay’s second largest city, with a 2020 population of 304,282 and an area of just over 150 square kilometers (58 square miles). Located approximately 330 miles east of the nation’s capital, Asunción, Ciudad del Este is the capital of the Departamento Alto Paraná, one of the districts within Paraguay. Surrounding the city are smaller cities and towns, including Hernandarias to the north, Minga Guazú to the west, and Presidente Franco to the south. Across the Paraná River is Foz do Iguaçu, a Brazilian city of approximately the same size as Ciudad del Este. The two cities are currently only connected by the Puente de la Amistad, built in 1965, although a new bridge between Presidente Franco and Foz do Iguaçu is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2023. Just to the south and slightly east of the two cities is Puerto Iguazú, a smaller Argentine town built to support the region’s biggest tourist attraction, Iguazú Falls. A ferry is currently the only direct connection between Paraguay and Argentina, departing from Presidente Franco on the Paraguayan side.

Foz do Iguaçu

Located just across the Puente de la Amistad from Ciudad del Este, Foz do Iguaçu was founded in 1910. It is known for its tourism and cultural diversity, mostly revolving around Iguazú Falls. The city’s economy is closely intertwined with Ciudad del Este as cross border trade and businesses are frequent and common for the region. Many residents of Foz go shopping or commute to work in Ciudad del Este, crossing the border on daily basis. As of 2020, Foz was home to approximately 258,248 residents.

Puerto Iguazú

The city of Puerto Igauzú was formally established by Argentina in 1902. The city is built just 18 kilometers (11 miles) away from Iguazu Falls, waterfalls that lie on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Together, they make up the largest waterfall in the world. The city’s economy and infrastructure developed around tourism related to the falls, which continues to drive the city’s economy today.

The city is quite a bit smaller than its neighbors, with a population of 82,227 in 2010. Puerto Iguazú is connected to Brazil via the Tancredo Neves Bridge (Fraternity Bridge), which was constructed in 1985. While there is no bridge between Paraguay and Argentina, ferries from Presidente Franco in Paraguay to Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, as well as buses that travel through Brazil, enable people to travel between the two countries.

Minga Guazú

Known as the Industrial Capital of Alto Parana, Minga Guazú was established in 1958 as an agricultural cooperative. It has grown into a city with extensive agroindustrial complex, producing numerous agricultural products –including soybeans, maize, and cotton– and is also home to the biggest oil company in Paraguay, the multinational Cargill. Ciudad del Este’s regional airport, Guaraní International Airport, is also located in Minga Guazú. It is currently home to approximately 91,531 residents (2020).

Hernadarias

Hernandarias is the oldest city in the Departamento Alto Paraná, settled originally by Jesuits in 1619. Today, it is best known as the home of the Itaipu Dam. However, the city also has a number of industrial parks due to the development of both the agricultural sector and the industrial sector in the area. As of 2020, 80,319 people resided in Hernandarias, many of whom work in neighboring Ciudad del Este. Hernandarias and Ciudad del Este are connected via Ruta 7.

Presidente Franco

Located to the south of Ciudad del Este, Presidente Franco has grown extensively where the border between Ciudad del Este and Presidente Franco is indistinguishable. Presidente Franco has a population of 104,677 (as of 2020), making it the third largest city in the region.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Opportunities Issues