Paraná is not only the head of the provincial government, but also an important river port for the transshipment of cereals, cattle, fish, and lumber from the surrounding region. The principal industries installed are the manufacture of cement, furniture, and ceramics.
The centre of the city gathers colonial churches, European styles such as that of the 3 de Febrero Theatre or the Government House, the mixed styles of the city's Cathedral, and modern towers like those near the Parque Urquiza park.
The city is connected to the city of Santa Fe on the other side of the Entre Ríos by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel finished in 1969. The General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (IATA PRA) at coordinates 31°47′07″S, 60°28′09″W is 7.5 kilometres from the city, and services regular flights to Buenos Aires.
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