The Rio Paranaíba is one of Brazil's most significant river systems, originating high in the Serra da Mata da Corda mountains in the municipality of Rio Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, at an elevation of 1,148 meters (3,766 feet). From its headwaters, the river flows west-southwestward for approximately 1,000 kilometers before joining the Grande River to form the mighty Paraná River — the world's seventh largest river — at the tristate border of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul. Along its course, the Paranaíba collects eight sizable tributaries and forms the natural boundary between Minas Gerais and Goiás states. The river has been significantly shaped by hydroelectric development, most notably the São Simão Dam, which created a large reservoir along the Paranaíba and has become a notable fishing destination in its own right.