Names of major rivers in South America. Rivers and lakes of mainland South America
The features of the relief and climate of South America predetermined its exceptional wealth of surface and groundwater, the huge amount of runoff, the presence of the most full-flowing river the globe- Amazons. Occupying 12% of the land area of the Earth, South America receives about 2 times more (1643 mm) of the average amount of precipitation per unit of the entire area. The total river runoff is 27% of the total runoff of the Earth, the average runoff layer (58 cm) is also almost 2 times more medium size for all sushi. But the amount of runoff fluctuates sharply across the mainland - from a few mm to hundreds of cm. The rivers between the ocean basins are also extremely unevenly distributed: the Pacific Ocean basin is 12 times smaller than the Atlantic basin (the watershed between them runs mainly along the Andes ridges); in addition, about 10% of the territory of South Africa belongs to the area of internal drainage, which crosses the mainland from the Gulf of Guayaquil through the Central Andean Highlands to the southern Pampas. Rain-fed rivers predominate, in the extreme south - also snow-glacial.
The layer of average annual runoff of 150-400 cm (up to 90% of precipitation) reaches its greatest value in southern Chile, which is explained not only by the abundance of precipitation, but also by the steepness of the slopes, low evaporation and ice reserves in the upper reaches of the rivers, which cause summer floods, including and at the "transit" rivers of Patagonia; the share of underground feeding of the rivers of the South Andes is no more than 20-25%. The runoff is just as great (for some rivers even up to 800 cm) in western Colombia, but rainfall and summer-autumn flash floods predominate there; underground runoff increases up to 40%. The characteristics of runoff and Amazonia are similar, decreasing in its central and southern parts up to 40-60 cm. The regime of large rivers, like the Amazon itself, depends on the rainy season in the upper and middle reaches of its tributaries. On the well and more or less evenly moistened outskirts of the Brazilian and Guiana plateaus, the average annual runoff is also 40-60 cm (in places up to 150 cm) with a share of underground runoff up to 50%. In the interior regions of the Brazilian Plateau, the runoff decreases (up to 5 cm in the northeast) and becomes extremely uneven: violent summer floods are replaced by a sharp decrease in water discharge in winter, up to the drying up of small streams. The flow regime is similar in the flat areas of the subequatorial and tropical belts with rain-fed rivers (Llanos-Orinoco, Beni Mamore, Gran Chaco plains). A pronounced seasonality in precipitation leads to variability in runoff (the average runoff decreases from 50–80 to 15–20 cm) and river regimes: in the winter of the corresponding hemisphere, runoff stops in places and even large watercourses (Rio Bermejo, Rio Salado, etc.) they break up into separate stretches with saline waters, while in summer floods flood vast areas; The flow regulators of the rivers of Paraguay and Parana are the swamp-lake lowlands of the Pantanal and the Laplat lowland. The smallest flow (3-5 mm) is confined to the desert tropical west of South Africa, where even melted snow water from the highlands accumulates in foothill plumes and tectonic depressions, increasing the share of underground feeding of episodic rivers to 50% (only the Loa River has a constant flow in ocean).
A large amount of precipitation brought from the Atlantic, vast plateaus that gently slope to the huge lowlands and plains that collect runoff from the adjacent slopes of the Andes, contributed to the formation of large river systems in the extra-Andean East of South Africa: the Amazon, Orinoco, Parana, and Paraguay. Uruguay; in the Andes, the largest is the river system. Magdalena, flowing in the longitudinal depression of the humid Northern Andes. Only lowland rivers are suitable for navigation. The mountain rivers of the Andes and plateaus, replete with rapids and waterfalls (Angel, 1054 m, Kaieteur, 226 m, Iguazu, 72 m, etc.), as well as full-flowing watercourses of constantly wet plains, have a huge hydropower potential (over 300 million kW).
Large lakes, mainly of glacial origin (end basins), are concentrated mainly in the Patagonian Andes (Lago Argentino, Buenos Aires, and others) and in southern Central Chile (Lianquihue and others). In the Central Andes lies the highest of the large lakes of the Earth - Titpkaka, there are also many residual lakes (Poopo and others) and large solonchaks; the latter are also typical of the depressions between the Pampina sierras (Salinas Grandes and others). Large lagoon lakes are located in the north (Maracaibo) and in the southeast of South Asia (Patus and Lagoa Mirin).
The largest rivers in South America
Name |
Length in km |
Basin area in thousand km |
Amazon (with Ucayali) |
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Amazon (with Marañon) |
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Paraná (with Rio Grande and La Plata Estuary) |
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Madeira (with Mamore) |
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San Francisco |
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Japura (with Kaketa) |
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Tocantins |
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Paraguay, river |
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Rio Negro |
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Uruguay, river |
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Magdalena |
Amazon river
The largest river in South America is the Amazon. Most of its basin is south of the equator. The area of this most extensive river basin in the world is over 7 million km 2, the length of the river from the main source (the Marañon River) is 6400 km. If, however, Ucayali and Apurimac are taken as the source of the Amazon, then its length reaches 7194 km, which exceeds the length of the Nile. The flow of water in the Amazon is several times higher than the flow of all the largest rivers in the world. It is equal to an average of 220 thousand m 3 / s (the maximum flow rate can exceed 300 thousand m 3 / s). The average annual flow of the Amazon in the lower reaches (7000 km 3) makes up most of the flow of all of South America and 15% of the flow of all the rivers of the Earth!
The main source of the Amazon - the Marañon River - begins in the Andes at an altitude of 4840 m. Only after confluence with the first major tributary - Ucayali - within the plain, the river receives the name Amazon.
The Amazon collects its numerous tributaries (more than 500) from the slopes of the Andes, the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. Many of them are over 1500 km long. The most numerous and largest tributaries of the Amazon are the rivers of the southern hemisphere. The largest left tributary is the Rio Negro (2300 km), the largest right and largest tributary of the Amazon is Madeira (3200 km).
Part of the tributaries, eroding clayey rocks, carry very muddy water (“white” rivers), others, with clear water, are dark from dissolved organic substances (“black” rivers). After falling into the Amazon Rio Negro (Black River), light and dark waters flow in parallel, without mixing, for about 20-30 km, which is clearly visible on satellite images.
The width of the Amazon channel after the confluence of Maranyon and Ucayali is 1-2 km, but downstream it increases rapidly. At Manaus (1690 km from the mouth) it already reaches 5 km, in the lower reaches it expands to 20 km, and at the mouth the width of the main channel of the Amazon, together with numerous islands, reaches 80 km during the flood. In the western part of the lowland, the Amazon flows almost at the level of the banks, in fact, without a formed valley. To the east, the river forms a deeply incised valley which contrasts sharply with the watershed.
Approximately 350 km from Atlantic Ocean the Amazon Delta begins. Despite its ancient age, it did not move into the ocean beyond the boundaries of the native shores. Although the river carries out huge masses of solid material (an average of 1 billion tons per year), the process of delta growth is hindered by the activity of the tides, the influence of currents, and the lowering of the coast.
In the lower reaches of the Amazon, tides have a great influence on its regime and the formation of its coasts. The tidal wave penetrates more than 1000 km upstream, in the lower reaches its wall reaches a height of 1.5-5 m. The wave rushes against the current at great speed, causing strong excitement on sandbars and banks, destroying the coast. Among the local population, this phenomenon is known under the name of "pororoka" and "amazunu".
The Amazon is full of water throughout the year. Twice a year the water level in the river rises to a considerable height. These maxima are associated with rainy periods in the northern and southern hemispheres. The greatest flow in the Amazon occurs after the rainy season in the southern hemisphere (in May), when the bulk of the water is carried by its right tributaries. The river overflows its banks and in the middle reaches fills a huge territory, creating a kind of giant inland lake. The water level rises by 12-15m, and in the Manaus region, the width of the river can reach 35 km. Then comes a period of gradual decrease in water flow, the river enters the banks. The lowest water level in the river is in August and September, then there is a second maximum associated with the summer rains of the northern hemisphere. On the Amazon, it appears with some delay, around November. The November maximum is significantly inferior to the May one. In the lower reaches of the river, two maxima gradually merge into one.
From the mouth to the city of Manaus, the Amazon is accessible to large ships. Vessels with a fairly deep draft can penetrate even as far as Iquitos (Peru). But in the lower reaches, due to the tides, the abundance of sediment and islands, navigation is difficult. Deeper and accessible to ocean vessels is the southern branch - Para, which has a common mouth with the Tocantins River. On it stands a large ocean port of Brazil - Belen. But this branch of the Amazon is now connected with the main channel only by small channels. The Amazon with tributaries is a system waterways communications with a total length of up to 25 thousand km. The transport value of the river is great. For a long time, it was the only way connecting the interior of the Amazonian lowland with the Atlantic coast.
The rivers of the Amazon basin have large reserves of water energy. Many tributaries of the Amazon, when entering the lowlands, cross the steep edges of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands, forming large waterfalls. But these water resources are still very poorly used.
Parana and Uruguay rivers
The second largest river system in South America includes the Parana River with Paraguay and Uruguay, which have a common mouth. The system got its name (La Platskaya) from the eponymous giant estuary of Parana and Uruguay, reaching 320 km in length and 220 km in width at the mouth. The basin area of the entire system is more than 4 million km 2, and the length of the Parana, according to various sources, ranges from 3300 to 4700 km. The sources of Parana - Rio Grande and Paranaiba - are located in the Brazilian Highlands. Many other rivers of the system also begin there. All of them in the upper reaches are full of rapids and form several large waterfalls. The largest waterfalls are Guaira 40 m high and 4800 m wide on the Paran and Iguazu 72 m high on its tributary of the same name. They have a network of hydroelectric stations.
In the lower reaches of the Parana - a typical lowland river. The main discharge maximum occurs in May due to summer rains in the Brazilian Highlands. The navigable value of the rivers of the La Plata system and La Plata itself is very high.
Orinoco river
The third largest river in South America is the Orinoco. Its length is 2730 km, the basin area is over 1 million km2. The Orinoco originates in the Guiana Highlands. Its source was discovered and investigated by a French expedition only in 1954. The Casiquiare Orinoco River connects with the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon, where part of the water of the upper Orinoco flows. This is one of the most significant examples of river bifurcation on Earth. When it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the river forms a large delta, the length of which reaches 200 km.
The water level in the Orinoco depends entirely on the rainfall that falls in the northern part of its basin in the summer (from May to September). The maximum for Orinoco, falling on September-October, is expressed very sharply. The difference between summer and winter water levels reaches 15 m.
lakes
There are few lakes in South America. The main genetic groups of lakes on the mainland are tectonic, glacial, volcanic, lagoonal. There are small glacial and volcanic lakes in different parts Andes. The largest glacial and glacial-tectonic lakes are concentrated in the west of the Southern Andes.
The largest lake on the mainland - Titicaca - is located on the Andean plateau at an altitude of more than 3800 m, on the border between Peru and Bolivia. Its area is 8300 km 2, and the maximum depth is 281 m. Terraces are pronounced on the shores of the lake, indicating a repeated decrease in its level. The lake has a drain into another, shallower tectonic lake - Poopo. The water in Lake Titicaca is fresh, while in Poopó it is highly saline.
On the internal plateaus of the Andes and on the plain of the Gran Chaco, there are many lakes of tectonic origin, shallow, endorheic and saline. In addition, saline marshes and salt marshes (“salares”) are common.
Along the low-lying shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea there are large lagoon lakes. The largest of these lagoons is located in the north, in a vast depression between the Andes ranges. It is called Maracaibo and is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela. The area of this lagoon is 16.3 thousand km 2, the length is 220 km. The water in the lagoon is almost fresh, but during high tides, its salinity increases markedly.
The lagoons, which have almost lost contact with the Atlantic Ocean, are located in the southeast of the mainland. The largest of them are Patus and Lagoa Mirin.
A significant part of the continent, especially the Out-Andean East, has large reserves of groundwater. In the sandy strata, syneclises are not only in the Amazon, but also in the Guiana lowland, Llanos-Orinoco, Gran Chaco, Pampa, and also in other areas, up to 40-50% of the runoff falls on groundwater.
waterfalls
Angel Falls (Angel) or Salto Angel (Salto Angel) - the world's highest free-falling waterfall with a height of 978 meters.
Angel Falls is located in the highlands of Guyana, one of the five topographic regions of Venezuela, in South America. It is located on the Carrao River. The Carrao River is a tributary of the Caroni River which eventually flows into the Orinoco. It is not easy to get to the waterfall, as it is located in a dense tropical forest. There are no roads leading to the falls.
Angel Falls falls from the top of a flat mountain, called "tepui" by the natives. A flat mountain called Auyan Tepuy (Devil's Mountain) is one of more than a hundred like it, scattered in the Guiana Highlands in southeastern Venezuela. These dormant giants are characterized by their massive heights soaring into the sky, with flat tops and completely vertical slopes. Tepui, also called "table mountains" (which accurately describes their shape), formed from sandstone billions of years ago. Their vertical slopes are continuously destroyed under the influence of heavy rains falling on the Guiana Highlands.
The natives of Venezuela have known about "Salto Angel" since time immemorial. The waterfall was originally discovered in 1910 by a Spanish explorer named Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz. However, it was not known to the world until the official discovery by the American pilot and gold digger James Crawford Angel, after whom he was named. Angel was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1899.
This enterprising experienced pilot flew over the area in 1935 and landed on the top of a lonely mountain in search of gold. His monoplane "Flamingo" got stuck in the swampy jungle at the top, and he noticed a rather impressive waterfall extending thousands of feet down. He didn't have much luck with the 11-mile hike back to civilization, and his plane was left chained to the mountain, a rusting monument to his discovery. Soon the whole world learned about the waterfall, which became known as Angel Falls, in honor of the pilot who discovered it.
Jimmy Angel's plane remained in the jungle for 33 years before being picked up by helicopter. It is currently housed in the Aviation Museum in Maracay. The one you can now see on top of the tepui is a replica of it.
The official height of the waterfall was determined by the expedition of the National Geographic Society in 1949. The waterfall is the main attraction of Venezuela.
Iguazu Falls is a wonder of the world, consisting of 275 different cascades of water, the total area of which is 2700 square meters, and the fall height reaches 82 meters! The width of the waterfall is about 3 km. The largest waterfall is Devil's Throat, a U-shaped cliff 150 meters wide and 700 meters long, marking the border between the countries of Argentina and Brazil. The name "Iguazu" comes from the Guarani words for "water" and "big".
Many islands separate the waterfalls from each other. Approximately 900 meters out of a total width of 3 km. not covered with water. About 2 km. bridges connecting the islands help to better see all the streams. Most of the waterfalls are located within the territory of Argentina, but from Brazil there is a good view of the "Devil's Throat".
Iguazu Falls are considered the largest in the world in terms of the number of falls. During the rainy season in November - March, the flow rate of water can reach 750 cubic meters per second. The roar from falling water creates an impressive roar that can be heard even several kilometers away.
Smaller waterfalls are formed by ledges of solid rock, turning the water falling on them into clouds of mist and spray. sunlight adds the finishing touch by creating iridescent rainbows. Below, in the midst of the water, miraculously rose an island covered with trees. On one side of the island, where the water flows calmly, there is a beach with yellowish sand.
South America is the wettest continent on the planet, as this is facilitated by the abundance of precipitation and rich water resources. On the mainland there are more than 20 major rivers, among which the palm, of course, is occupied by the majestic Amazon - one of the largest rivers in the world. The rivers of South America stretch across all countries of the continent, saturating them with valuable moisture.
Amazon
The Amazon belongs to the three largest rivers of the Earth, including the Nile and the Yangtze. With all its numerous tributaries, the Amazon carries about ¼ of the world's river water reserves.
The dimensions of the largest river in South America are impressive:
- the length reaches almost 7 thousand km;
- width - up to 50 km;
- depth - up to 100 m.
During the rainy season, which begins in March and ends in May, the Amazon overflows its banks. During this period, the water level in the river rises to 20 m or more. As a result large areas lands are flooded. And so it goes on year after year.
Rice. 1. Amazon Delta
The longest river of the continent crosses the territories of nine countries, and plays a big role in transport communication. This is due to the fact that one of the most developed sectors of the economy throughout South America is river navigation.
The Amazon rightfully ranks first in the diversity of flora and fauna - there is no such rich nature in the whole world as in the Amazon Delta. That is why the river annually attracts scientists, researchers and ordinary tourists from all over the world who want to admire its natural beauties.
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Rice. 2. Fauna and flora of the Amazon
Paraná
In second place in the list of the largest rivers in South America is the Parana. It flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. This is a very picturesque river with numerous tributaries and waterfalls. Their formation is associated with the structural features of the river bottom, as well as its full flow.
The real pride of the entire continent is the complex of Iguazu Falls, located in the national parks of Brazil and Argentina. The complex has the shape of a crescent and consists of many large and small waterfalls, the number of which can reach 275, depending on the pressure of the water and the season.
Rice. 3. Iguazu Falls
On the map of rivers and lakes of South America special place occupy such large rivers as Orinoco, Paraguay, Madeira, Tocantis, Araguaia, Uruguay. Each of them has unique characteristics and features, but they all have in common great importance in the economic sphere of the entire continent. In addition, the rivers of South America are home to a large number of fish, amphibians, aquatic animals and birds, and plants. They take an active part in the water cycle on the mainland, providing it with a sufficient level of moisture.
South America is the richest continent in water resources. The river flow of the mainland is twice the average of the globe. The main source of food for rivers is rainfall. Glacially fed rivers are only in the south of the Andes. The role of snow supply is small. The mainland is characterized by large river systems. Their formation is facilitated by the eastern part and high mountain ranges of the mainland, large contrasts in heights, and a humid climate.
Rivers of South America
The Andes Mountains are the main watershed of the mainland. To the east of the Andes flow large and full-flowing rivers belonging to the Atlantic Ocean basin. They provide 90% of the river runoff. Among them are the Amazon, Orinoco, Parana. On the western slopes of the Andes, short rivers originate, which belong to the basin. (Identify the river basins on the map.) The area is insignificant (about 6%).
The longest and most full-flowing river on Earth originates in the Andes mountains - Amazon and many of its major tributaries. The Amazon Basin is located in an abundantly and evenly moistened area, where 1500-3000 mm of precipitation falls. The Amazon River has a length of 7100 km (with the source of the Apacheta). The river collects numerous tributaries from the slopes of the Andes, the Brazilian and Guiana plateaus. The Amazon river basin is the largest in the world (about 7 million km2). It is almost the size of Australia in area. The waters of the Amazon make up 1/5 of all the waters carried into the World Ocean by the rivers of our planet. The desalination effect of the Amazon waters on the ocean is manifested over a distance of 400 km from the mouth of the river. After the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers, the Amazon is 1-2 km wide. Downstream, the width increases to 5 km, and in the lower reaches to 20 km. At the mouth, the width of the main channel with numerous islands reaches 80 km.
The Amazon is full of water all year round, as it is fed by thousands of tributaries. The largest tributaries: right - Madeira and left - Rio Negro. The highest water level occurs after the rainy season in the Southern Hemisphere (in May), when the bulk is carried by its right tributaries. The water level in the Manaus area rises by 12-15 meters. The lowest water level is in August and September.
Together with its tributaries, the Amazon forms the world's largest system of inland waterways, stretching over 25,000 km.
From the mouth to the city of Manaus, which is 4300 km, the Amazon is accessible to large ships. The river has huge hydropower resources. 1/3 of the species of freshwater fish of our planet lives in the waters of the Amazon. This is 6 times more than in the waters of all of Europe. The Amazon is recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Paraná (« silver river"") - the second largest river in South America (4380 km). Like the Amazon, it has two sources (Rio Grande and Paranaiba) on the Brazilian Plateau. Parana, unlike the Amazon, crosses several. This is why the amount of rainfall that arrives in different parts of the river basin is not the same. In the upper reaches, most of the rain falls in summer, in the lower reaches - in winter.
The river cuts its course through the solid foundations of the platform and is therefore characterized by rapids and waterfalls. The largest of them is J. This is not just a waterfall, but a whole system of waterfalls stretching for almost three kilometers.
Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, Iguazu Falls is one of the world's most majestic natural wonders. The waterfall falls into the gorge from two steep basalt steps in 275 jets and streams separated by rocky islands. The total height of the fall is 72 m, the width is 2700 m. The roar of water is heard for 20-25 kilometers.
Third largest river in South America Orinoc o (2730 km) originates on the Guiana Plateau. Orinoco floods in the summer thanks to the rains. Its tributaries are turbulent, they have many rapids and waterfalls, so they are not suitable for navigation. The Orinoco River is the most important trade route.
The basins of the Parana and Orinoco rivers are located mainly in the subequatorial belts, therefore they have a pronounced seasonality of runoff - rapid floods in summer and a sharp decline in water in winter.
On one of the tributaries of the Orinoco is the highest waterfall in the world - (1054 m).
A huge column of water, foam and steam falls with a mighty roar, as if from clouds. The waterfall is included in the List of objects world heritage UNESCO.
Lakes of South America
South America is not very rich in lakes. By origin, they are divided into tectonic, glacial, volcanic, lagoonal, oxbow. The largest glacial lakes are concentrated in the west in the southern part of the Andes. On the inner plateaus of the Andes, on the plain of Gran Chaco, lakes are tectonic, endorheic, saline. Along the low-lying shores of the Atlantic Ocean there are large lagoon lakes - shallow parts of the ocean, separated from it by land and connected to it by a channel.
The largest alpine lake Titicaca is located in the Andes on the border and. Its area is 8300 km2. The lake is located at an altitude of 3812 m, occupying a deep tectonic. The depth of the lake is 304 m. This is the largest mountain lake in the world in terms of reserves. fresh water.
It is believed that the lake is a remnant of the sea bay. Balsa trees grow around the lake, from which the Indians make rafts-boats.
In the north of the mainland, in, there is the largest lagoon lake Maracaibo with an area of more than 16,000 km2. It is connected by a narrow channel with the bay of the Caribbean Sea. The lake is playing important role in the fishing industry. The most valuable product of his trades is shrimp.
There are approximately 2,000 reservoirs in South America. The Parana River is a cascade of reservoirs.
Artesian waters are widely used in the water supply of the arid territories of South America (the Gran Chaco plain, intermountain basins). The most powerful glaciers in South America are found in the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. There they descend to the sea and form vast ice fields.
Glaciation developed in the Andes. The largest glacier is Perito Moreno. The territory is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its area is 250 km2, its width is about 5 km.
South America is the continent richest in water resources and has a dense river network. Most of the flow falls on. Here flows the longest and most full-flowing river in the world - the Amazon, there are two largest lakes- Titicaca and Maracaibo. The main source of food for rivers is precipitation. Rivers are used as sources of fresh water, they have large reserves of energy resources and are important transport routes.
10.08.2019 at 16:37 · VeraSchegoleva · 790
Top 10 longest rivers in South America
South America located in the south of the Western Hemisphere, the length is 7350 km from north to south. it the wettest continent on our planet.
The slopes of the Andes are the most humid. Most of the lakes are also located here, some of which are the oldest on the planet. The mainland is famous for its: the highest in the world is Angel, and the most powerful is Iguazu. It has an extensive river system.
Most long rivers South America are known to the whole world and stretch for thousands of kilometers.
10. Pilcomayo, 2,500 km
It flows in the central part of South America, a tributary of the Paraguay. The name of the river was taken from the language of the Indians - Quechua. In their language "Pishqu" means "bird", and the word "mayu" translates as "river".
But the Guarani Indians call her Araguay: "ara"- this is " parrot", a "guay" – “water". Pilcomayo originates in, and at the end joins the Paraguay River. This is a natural natural border separating Paraguay and Argentina.
Unfortunately, in the 1970s and 1990s, mining waste and other garbage were thrown into the river. Most of the water is used to irrigate the fields, which is why the river is on the verge of drying up.
9. Paraguay, 2,535 km
This is the 5th largest river of the continent, one of the main tributaries of the Parana. It divides the Paraguayan Republic into 2 parts: northern, sparsely populated and little developed, and southern, where about 98% of the population lives.
Name " Paraguay” is translated from the language of the Guarani Indians as "horned river". There are no dams along its entire length, so navigation is developed. Residents raise livestock and agriculture. Thanks to the channels fed by the river, vast areas of irrigated land appeared, as well as pastures and forests.
In the upper reaches of the river is the Pantanal, a swampy flowering lake. It has unique flora and fauna. So, the flake, an amazing fish that has both lungs and gills, feels good here. Tourists cannot help but be amazed by giant water lilies, 10-meter palm trees and many types of wild roses and lilies.
8. Japura, 2,615 km
This is a tributary of the Amazon, which originates in the Eastern Cordillera. Most of the river is in Colombia, where it is called Kaketoy. Approximately one third flows through Brazil, where the name " Japura».
The river is meandering, fed mainly by rainwater. From December to May, the time of floods begins, when it overflows its banks, forming many swamps.
Japur serves many local residents as a means of transportation. They sail along it in canoes, transporting goods and small cargoes.
Here you can see unique reptiles: piranhas, turtles, unusual electric eels, as well as huge catfish, whose weight sometimes reaches up to 91 kg and they grow up to 1.8 m, and many other amazing animals.
7. Araguaia, 2,627 km
This river flows through Brazil, at the end it flows into the Tocantins. The name, translated from the Guarani language, means "river-ara". Macaws are known to have colorful feathers. Water in the river Araguaia also constantly changes its color, becomes cloudy, although mostly it is reddish-brown.
The banks of the rivers are buried in coastal vegetation, which has become an ideal habitat for wild animals. Here you can find unique species. So the river dolphin lives here. Unfortunately, the rainforests on the banks of the river are cut down, and if this is not stopped, the river may dry up in half a century.
6. Tocantins, 2,699 km
A river flows through Brazil Tocantins. It was a source of drinking water and fish (about 350 species). Here you can meet Amazonian manatees and rare Araguan river dolphins, large sea turtles. There are several hydroelectric power stations on the river used to generate hydroelectric power.
5. San Francisco, 3,180 km
San Francisco is the 3rd longest river in South America, flows through the territory of Brazil. The river was first discovered in 1500, Pedro Mendoza named it reindeer.
But another name was assigned to the river, coined by the Portuguese Goncalo Cuelho. His expedition reached the mouth of the river on the day of St. Francis, so it was decided to name it after him.
On the banks of this river major cities or industrial enterprises, with the exception of Belo Horizonte, where deposits of manganese and gold are developed, precious stones are mined.
The local population fishes or raises livestock. There are also those who serve extreme rafting expeditions. Tourists like to canoe and kayak through the water, which is rapidly rushing through the gorges.
4. Madeira - Mamore - Rio Grande - Rio Cane - Rocha, 3,239 km
The Madeira River is a major tributary of the Amazon. Her name is translated from Portuguese "madeira" stands for "wood or timber", because The river is surrounded by the Amazonian jungle. Its length is 3239 km.
The river is formed due to the confluence of the Beni and Mamore rivers. The latter is the main source of Madeira. She feeds on rainwater. Its length is 2 thousand km. A tributary of the Mamore is the Rio Grande, one of the largest rivers in Bolivia, in the basin of which 35% of the country's population lives. Its length is 1438 km.
total length Madeira - Mamore - Rio Grande - Rio Cane - Rocha is 3239 km, and the drainage basin is 850 thousand km2.
3. Purus, 3,379 km
This is the right tributary of the Amazon, 90% of the basin of which is located in Brazil. It is difficult to determine its exact length, because. it is considered one of the most winding rivers in the world, but experts agree that it is at least 2960 km.
The water in the river is light, but muddy, it has a lot of nutrients. Purus considered one of the deepest in the Amazon basin, most of it is navigable. In the period from December to May, it overflows its banks, flooding coastal areas. Because of this, about 40 thousand km² of wetlands are formed.
2. La Plata - Parana - Rio Grande, 3,998 km
The second longest river on the continent Paraná, is included in the list of major water systems in the world. The name, translated from the Indian language of the Tupi tribe, means "similar to the sea", and the Guayaqui Indians called her " River of misfortune ".
It is formed due to the confluence of 2 major rivers, Rio Grande and Paranaiba. The first river is located in central Brazil, originating in the mountains of Mantiqueira. Its length is 1230 km.
The Parana River, in turn, merges with the Uruguay River, and forms La Plata. Its length is about 320 km. She has a very wide mouth. This is important water resource South America, 70% of the products from the 5 countries through which it flows (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia) are obtained from the La Plata River, whose water consumption is increasing every year.
1. Amazon, 6,992 km
It is considered the deepest river in the world. Its length is a debatable issue, because it can be measured from different points. If from the source of Marañon, then it is 6400 km, from Apachet - 6992 km, and from Ucayali - 7100 km. In 2011, it was recognized as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Most of Amazons located in Brazil. It was discovered by the conquistador Francisco de Orellano. In 1542, he allegedly fought the Amazon tribe, a tribe of women who live on their own, without men. Historians believe that he either encountered a tribe of Indians, where women also fought, or mistook long-haired men for them.
More than 1 million different animals and plants live in the area around the river, many species of which are not described.
Name |
Source |
mouth |
tributaries |
Length in km. |
Basin area in thousand km 2 |
Average water consumption in m 3 / s |
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Amazon (Amazonas) |
The source of the river Marañon (Andes) |
Atlantic ca. |
St. 500 tributaries (approx. 20 over 1500 km long): Ucayali, Madeira, Tapajos, Xingu, Isa, Japura, Rio Negro |
from the main source of the river. Maranion 6.4 thousand, from the source of the river. They said ok. 7.1 thousand |
220 thousand |
The largest river in the world in terms of water content. The tides extend 1400 km from the mouth. In rivers bass. Amazons up to 2000 species of fish. |
It flows mainly in Brazil. It is navigable for 4300 km. Main ports: Iquitos, Manaus, Obidos, Santarém, Belém. |
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Marañon (from Spanish "thick bush") |
east The slope of the Western Cordillera with two sources |
OK. 2000 |
OK. 350 |
15.6 thousand |
Ch. left source of the river Amazons. the highest water content from Oct.-Nov. to June-July |
Flows into Peru. It has large water resources, is navigable for 1000 km from the mouth (to the rapids) |
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Ucayali, |
Andes of Peru, confluence of the Tambo and Urubamba rivers |
right tributary of the Amazon. |
40 left (mostly mountain) and 43 right |
1950 |
12600 |
High water from Sept. to March |
A river in Peru, navigable from the city of Atalaya, the main port is Pucallpa. |
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Putumayo (Putumayo), in the lower reaches - Isa (Ica), |
South part of the Center. Cordilra Andes Colombia |
left tributary of the Amazon |
1580 |
7.2 thousand |
High water from April to June |
Navigable in the lower reaches for 1350 km to Puerto Asis. Border between Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. FROM |
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Japura (Yapura) |
Pardaos Plateau |
left tributary of the Amazon. |
Apaporis |
1930 |
OK. 18 thousand |
River in Colombia and Brazil. It is navigable mainly in Brazil. |
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Rio Negro |
Pardaos Plateau |
left tributary of the Amazon |
Jahuaperi, Araka, |
2300 |
29.3 thousand |
The left tributary of the Casiquiare connects the Rio Negra with the river. Orinoco (a classic example of the bifurcation of rivers). |
It flows mainly in Brazil, in the middle course it serves as the border between Colombia and Venezuela; Navigable for 1000 km from the mouth. Major port of Manaus |
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Tocantins (Tocantins) |
flat Goiás |
It flows into the Amazon estuary. |
Araguaia, Sonu, Paranon, Itacayunas |
2850 |
16.3 thousand |
Runs in Brazil. Navigable for 350 km from the mouth. |
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Atrato (Atrato) |
Western Cordillera |
Darien Hall. |
OK. 2500 |
It flows in the northwest of Colombia. Navigable from Kibdo. |
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Magdalena (Magdalena) |
Central Cordillera |
caribbean sea |
Kauka, Cesar |
1540 |
8-10 thousand |
Runs in Colombia. Navigable from the city of Neiva with interruptions in the middle course due to the rapids. |
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Cauca (Cauca) |
Central Cordillera |
left tributary of the Magdalena |
1350 |
OK. 2000 |
Runs in Colombia. It is navigable in the sections of Cali - Cartago and Antioquia - the mouth. |
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Parnaiba (Parnaiba) |
Chapada das Mangabeiras |
Atlantic ca. |
Balsas |
1450 (according to other sources, 1700) |
OK. 2400 |
Runs in Brazil. Shipping below Teresina. |
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Zhurua |
Montaña mountains |
right tributary of the Amazon. |
Tarahuaca |
3280 |
OK. 9000 |
The middle and lower reaches are on the Amazonian low. |
It flows in Brazil (upstream in Peru). Navigable from Cruzeiro do Sul. |
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Purus |
La Montagna |
right tributary of the Amazon |
Itushi, Yaku, Akri |
3200 |
12 600 |
Occurs in Peru and Brazil. navigable. |
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Madeira |
The origins of Madeira are the rivers Mamore and Beni. |
right tributary of the Amazon |
Aripuanan, Marmelus, Abunan |
with Mamore 3200 |
1391 |
30.5 thousand |
Occurs in Bolivia and Brazil. Regular shipping to Porto Velho. |
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Mamore is the main source of the river. Madeira (Amazon system) |
Andes |
Guapore, Rapulo, Yata |
2300 |
8100 |
It flows mainly in Bolivia. It is navigable between the cities of Guajara-Mirin and Ikerones. |
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Tapajos |
right tributary of the Amazon. |
OK. 2200 |
15.5 thousand |
Runs in Brazil. Navigable to San Luis. |
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Xingu |
Serra do Roncador |
right tributary of the Amazon |
Iriri, Rio Fresco |
1980 |
OK. 16 thousand |
Runs in Brazil. Navigable for 190 km from the mouth (to the rapids). |
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Orinoco (Orinoco) |
Serra Parima (Guiana Flat) |
Atlantic ca. |
Kaura, Caroni, Guaviare, Meta, Arauca, Apure |
2730 |
St. 1 million |
OK. 29 thousand |
Below the city of Barrancas forms a delta, where the river is divided into 36 branches. |
Occurs in Venezuela and Colombia. It is navigable along the Macareo branch and higher along the main channel for 400 km from the mouth, into high water - to the Colombian border. In the Orinoco basin - a cascade of hydroelectric power stations. The most important cities: Santa Barbara, Puerto Ayacucho, Ciudad Bolívar, Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela), Puerto Carreño (Colombia). |
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Meta (Meta) |
Eastern Cordillera |
left tributary of the Orinoco |
Casanare |
1000 |
2500 |
Runs in Colombia. Navigable below Puerto Lopez. |
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Apure |
Cordillera de Merida |
left tributary of the Orinoco |
Guarico, Portuguesa |
1580 |
OK. 2000 |
Runs in Venezuela. It is navigable for 600 km, during the rainy season - all over. |
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Caroni |
Guiana flat. |
right tributary of the Orinoco |
OK. 4800 |
Runs in Venezuela. Navigable for 100 km from the mouth. |
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Essequibo (Essequibo) |
Sera-Akarai mountains |
Atlantic ca. forms an estuary up to 25 km wide. |
Rupununi, Potaro, Kuyuni |
OK. 3000 |
Numerous rapids |
Guyana. Navigable in the estuary to the city of Bartika |
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Sao Francisco |
Brazilian flat. |
Atlantic ca. |
Paracatu, Velhas |
OK. 2800 |
at the mouth 3300 |
Rapid. Vdp. Paulo Alfonso 2* |
Runs in Brazil. Navigable from Pirapora to Juazeiro. |
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Parana |
Brazilian flat. |
Hall. La Plata |
Tiete, Paranapanema, Uruguay, Paraguay, Rio Salado |
4380 |
2663 (from the river Uruguay - 2970) |
17.5 thousand |
Forms with r. Uruguay, the mouth-estuary of La Plata. Rapids and waterfalls 3* |
It flows in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Shipping to Posadas. Hydroelectric power plant. On Parana - the cities of Santa Fe, Parana, Rosario. |
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Rio Grande |
app. slope of the ridge Sera-da--mantiqueira |
left component of the river. Paraná |
1230 |
2000 |
In the upper reaches there are an abundance of rapids and waterfalls, high water in January-March |
In the middle reaches there is a large reservoir Furnas and a hydroelectric power station. The river is navigable in places |
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Paraguay |
Mato Grosso square |
right tributary of the Parana |
Tebiquari, Teuko |
OK. 2500 |
OK. 1.2 million |
4000 |
Occurs in Brazil and Paraguay. Shipping to the city of Concepción. |
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Paranaiba (Paranaiba) |
Ch. the source of the river Paraná |
near Itumbiara 1505 |
Stormy summer floods. The river is full of rapids |
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Uruguay |
Serra do Mar |
Hall. La Plata |
Ibiqui, Rio Negro |
2200 |
5500 |
navigable for sea vessels from Paysandu. |
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Rio Negro |
Patagonian Andes |
Atlantic ca. |
Rio Colorado |
with the source of the river Neuquen ok. 1300 |
OK. 950 |
It flows in Argentina, in Patagonia. Navigable in some areas. |
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Chubut |
Patagonian Andes |
Atlantic ca. |
Rio Chico |
OK. 138 |
OK. fifty |
It flows in the south of Argentina. |
Notes:
1 * Angel (Angel), a waterfall in the upper reaches of the river. Churun, (a tributary of the Caroni River) in Venezuela. The height of the fall is 1054 m (the highest on Earth).
2* Paulo Afonso (Paulo Afonso), a series of waterfalls and rapids in the lower reaches of the river. San Francisco, in Brazil. Height 84 m. Hydroelectric power station.
3* Iguacu (Iguacu), a waterfall on the border of Argentina and Brazil, on the river. Iguazu, 26 km from the place where it flows into the river. Parana. It falls into the gorge from two steep basalt steps in 275 jets and streams separated by rocky islands. Total height 72 m, width 2700 m. National parks. Tourism.