One of the seven Modern Wonders of the World, the Itaipú Dam is the largest dam in the world. Its massive turbines provide 26% of all of Brazil’s power needs, and 78% of Paraguay. Paraguay is thus the worlds largest exporter of electricity.
To get there is a 10km taxi ride northwest of Cuidad del Este. The tour is free and consists of a 30-minute on the construction and operation of the dam, and a 30-minute bus drive around and under the dam. The tubes shown here are 10 meters in diameter and funnel water down to the turbines.
The lake created by the flooding caused a huge environmental disaster which both governments inadequately tried to prevent. Now, wildlife reserves exist up the coasts of both sides of the lake.
No comments:
Post a Comment