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Paso Yobai is the largest and easternmost district of the Guairá Department, Paraguay. It was founded in 1923 by the Swiss (Geneva) colonist George Naville (1877-1943). Paso Yobai was governed as part of the district of Independencia until 1993, when it was granted independence by the central government. The largest town in the district is also named Paso Yobai, and contains around 2,500 people. Paso Yobai is historically known for the high quality of its production of yerba mate (''ilex paraguariensis''). Is also known for the production of sugar-cane, cotton and soy. It is a fertile and green place with beautiful rolling hills. The Canadian company "Latin American Minerals, Inc." bought "Paraguayan Mines" in 2007 and negotiated an agreement with the Paraguayan government to begin mining in the district. The company believes that Paso Yobai may contain one of the largest gold veins of the world. Although mining has brought increased prosperity to Paso Yobai, it has also brought environmental problems, the most serious being mercury contamination in the streams. The famous harpist, Enrique Samaniego was born in Paso Yobai. == Economy == Until recently the production and processing of yerba mate was the dominant economic activity in the district of Paso Yobai. At one time yerba mate cultivation covered 10,000 hectares of territory. Presently there are 8,000 hectares under cultivation, and gold mining has replaced yerba mate as the most lucrative economic activity. Still, yerba mate is extremely important to the local economy. Several factories in the district process yerba mate and produce brands such as Sudetia and Labrador. While the cultivation of yerba mate, sugar cane, soybeans and other crops is still of great importance to the district, the discovery of gold encouraged many people to abandon agriculture in order to devote themselves to small scale mining. The recent presence of the Canadian company is a source of both fear and expectation. Many think that it will create good paying work and but others worry about whether they will be able to continue their small scale mining activities as the company expands its presence in the zone. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Paso Yobai」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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