Friendship Bridge (Brazil–Paraguay)

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The Friendship Bridge, also known as Puente de la Amistad (Spanish) and Ponte da Amizade (Portuguese), is an arch bridge over the Paraná River that connects Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. The plan to build it was agreed in 1956, and the commission to design and build it was formed the same year. The bridge opened on March 27, 1965.

It is about 552.4 meters long, with a main arch span of 290 meters, which was a world record for a reinforced concrete fixed-arch bridge at the time it was built. After the bridge, Brazil’s BR-277 continues and Paraguay’s National Route 7 begins on the other side.

The Friendship Bridge is very important for the economies of both cities, supporting trade and travel between the two countries. It is also known as a busy crossing for smuggling, with Brazil tightening border security to curb illicit activity.