town, extreme eastern Bolivia. It is situated on the marshy shores of Lake Cáceres, just west of Corumbá, Brazil, and is connected to the Paraguay River by the Tamengo Canal. Puerto Suárez was once an isolated port and trading centre for rubber, coffee, and other local products, but the town has grown rapidly since the late 20th century, when a natural gas pipeline was built between Santa Cruz and the Brazilian border. The town lies on the Corumbá–Santa Cruz railway and is accessible by air from Santa Cruz, 350 miles (565 km) to the west. Petrochemical and power plants are major sources of employment. Reserves of iron ore and manganese are located nearby. Pop. (2001) 11,594.