quartz. The soils are sandstone and basalt in addition to mountains and meadows. The territory is made up of a succession of valleys and elevated lands that range from the north to the south. In the north, there are valleys with ample fields apt for cattle; to the east, forests and natural herbal lands predominate. The land is commonly used for agriculture. Hydrography The most important bodies of water that cross the department are the Paraguay River, the Tebicuary-mi River, and the streams Tapiracuai, Mbutuy, Hondo and Tobatiry. Other local rivers include the Paraná River and the Acaray, Monday-mi, Yguazú, Capiibary and Guyraungua. Natural Environment and Vegetation The Caaguazú department includes the Central Forest region, in the middle of the department, the Alto Paraná, in the east, and the Central Littoral, in the west. The principal activity of the region is the harvesting of trees, which provides the raw material for the wood industry. Caaguzú is one of the areas that is most affected by deforestation in Paraguay. Some plant species in danger of extinction are the yvyra paje, nandyta, cedar and tumera aureli. Endangered animal species include the tirica, jaguareté, and arira’y. Economy The department of Caaguazú is the number one national producer of manioc in the country and the second in cotton and sugar cane production. The population also practices cattle rearing and the farming of other fruits vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, and citrus fruits. Caaguazú is the fourth greatest producer of maize. The most important industries are cotton, oil, wood industry, and the manufacturing of furniture. The central location of Caaguazú and the siting of Coronel Oviedo and the city of Caaguazú at crossroads makes the area an important commercial center. Communication and Services National routes that serve Caaguazú are “Mcal. Estigarribia” (number 2) and “Dr. Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia” (number 7). They cross the entire department, connecting Asunción in the west with Ciudad del Este in the east. The route “Gral. Aquino” (number 3) meets route “Bernardino Caballero” (number 5) in Coronel Oviedo, providing a connection to Concepción and Pedro Juan Caballero in the north of the country. The route “Dr. Blas Garay” (number 8) joins with route number 2 in Cnel. Oviedo and communicates with Villarrica and Caazapá. There are a few runways for small airplanes in the department. The department has phone service for more than 10,300 lines. AM radio stations