PARAGUAU RIVER

Portuguese Rio Paraguau, river, in central and eastern Bahia estado (state), eastern Brazil. It rises in the Diamantina Upland and flows northward and then eastward for approximately 300 miles (500 km). The river empties into Todos os Santos Bay, just below Maragogipe. It is navigable from its mouth for only about 25 miles (40 km) as far as Cachoeira. The region around its upper course yields black industrial diamonds. Principal river towns, apart from Cachoeira, are Andara and Itaet. In the late 20th century the Brazilian government began projects for irrigation, cattle raising, fruit cultivation, and electrification of sites in the Paraguau River valley.