Itaipu Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil and Hernandarias, Paraguay.
The dam stretches 7,700 meters (25,262 feet) across the Paraná River and houses 20 generating units producing electricity for Brazil and Paraguay. The structure combines gravity, buttress, and embankment dam designs across different sections of the overall barrier.
Construction started in 1970 through a partnership between Brazil and Paraguay, employing 40,000 workers before its official inauguration in May 1984. The Treaty of Itaipu was signed by both nations in 1973, establishing joint development and operation of the facility.
The name comes from Guaraní words meaning „the singing stone,
The facility generates electricity at different frequencies: 50 Hertz for Paraguay's power grid and 60 Hertz for Brazil's distribution system. Guided tours are available and include access to viewpoints overlooking the reservoir and turbine halls.
The power plant has generated over 2.9 billion Megawatt-hours of electricity, making it the single facility with the highest energy generation in history. The concrete used during construction would have been sufficient to build 210 stadiums the size of Maracanã.
Location: Hernandarias District
Location: Foz do Iguaçu
Inception: 1970s
Architects: Brasil-Paraguay Mixed Technical Commission
Official opening: November 7, 1982
Length: 7,700 m
Part of: Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Website: https://itaipu.gov.br
GPS coordinates: -25.40778,-54.59000
Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:51
Photo license: CC BY 3.0
Navigation locks are engineering structures that enable ships to pass through significant elevation changes between seas, lakes, and rivers. From the Panama Canal, where vessels rise 86 feet (26 meters) to cross the Isthmus, to the Three Gorges Dam in China, featuring five-stage locks managing a...
Paraguay features a combination of natural sites, historical structures, and cultural institutions. In the capital Asunción, central buildings include the López Palace, the National Museum, and the National Pantheon of Heroes. The waterfront promenade runs along the river. The city contains several...
Iguaçu Falls
35.4 km
Devil's Throat
35.6 km
Friendship Bridge
11.4 km
Iguaçu National Park
34.5 km
Saltos del Monday
17.8 km
Feirinha Puerto Iguazú
20.8 km
Tancredo Neves Bridge
20.4 km
Itaipu Reservoir
43.3 km
Estádio Olímpico Regional Arnaldo Busatto
119.7 km
Reserva natural estricta San Antonio
104.8 km
Buddhist Temple of Foz do Iguaçu
7.5 km
Parque das Aves
25.4 km
Rainforest Ecological Train
33.9 km
Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque
12.6 km
Isla de San Martín
34.5 km
Sierra de la Victoria
89.7 km
Geoparque Horacio Foerster
85.5 km
Trinational Biodiversity Corridor
20.5 km
Teatro Municipal de Toledo
114.8 km
Christ the King Cathedral, Toledo
114.1 km
Estadio Juan Eudes Pereira
16.7 km
Estadio Km 12 Monday
17.3 km
Cathedral of San Juan Bautista
15.5 km
Iguazu National Park
40.6 km
Museo Municipal Adolfo Julio Schwelm
112 km
Cine Cataratas
15.5 km
Gramadão da Vila A
9.9 km
Hospital De Puerto Iguazú Marta Teodora Schwarz
21.6 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes