'Parana 'state includes two geographic regions, a narrow coastal zone, where lies the 'Serra do Mar coastal forests', a high plateau (2500 to 3000 ft.) which is more popular as the 'Serra do Mar or Serra do Cubatao. Araucaria' moist forests lies on the southern and central portion of Parana, and has large tract of 'Yerba Mate' which is known in 'Brazil' as erva mate, and are used to make a kind of tea called 'Chimarrao'.
'Curitiba' is the largest river of the state, which comprises the 'Paranapanema' and its tributaries, popular as the 'Tibaji' and 'Cinza, the Piquiri, Ivai, Jejuy-guassu', and the 'Iguacu' with its principal tributary the 'Rio Negro'.
The 'main cities of the Parana state' as per their sizes of the area are:
- 'Curitiba' is the capital city and the largest city of 'Parana'.
- 'Londrina'
- 'Maringa'
- 'Foz do Iguacu'
- 'Ponta Grossa'
- 'Cascavel'
- 'Guarapuava'
- 'Paranagua'
Whites comprise 76% of the total population of 'Parana'. European immigrants came to the place in the 19th century, from Poland, Portugal, Germany and Ukraine. During the early 20th century immigrants arrived also from places like Lebanon, Japan and Syria. 'Parana' ranks first with the number of inhabitants from Eastern Europe and ranks second to 'Sao Paulo' with the largest number of inhabitants from Japan.
'Parana' is considered to have the highest standards of living in Brazil, is known for low crime levels. The 'Parana' state takes special care of education and health.
