The South American water system is long, winding and has a number of characteristic features. It is based on the Amazon - the main river of the continent, as well as the most full-flowing in the whole world. The humidity created by it and its numerous tributaries contributed to the emergence of a special ecosystem. The shores of the reservoirs are covered with rain forests, and almost half of their inhabitants are endemic, like the rarest species of crocodiles from the Orinoco.
Rivers are important transport arteries of the region. Shipping on them is especially active after the rainy season. Hydroelectric power stations have been built on large reservoirs, so they also provide the region with electricity. Madeira, Paraguay and other rivers not only belong to more than one country, but also serve as their state border.
The longest rivers in South America
List of the largest rivers on the mainland.
1. Amazon
It flows through Brazil, Peru and Colombia. More than half of them are navigable. The deepest river in the world. Due to the humidity created in its basin, tropical forests appeared, and in them there are many species of living organisms. Therefore, the Amazon is considered the world's genetic fund. Traveling along the river is a popular pastime for tourists, but it is fraught with dangers in some sections.
The length of the river is 7100 km.
2. Parana
It belongs to the territory of three countries: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. There is controversy over the translation of the name. Among the options: "river of misfortune" and "mother of the sea." Parana is crossed by several bridges, including the "Friendship Bridge": on one side stands the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguacu, on the other - the Paraguayan Ciudad del Este. The river is used as a source fresh water, for shipping, hydroelectric power stations were built on it.
The length of the river is 4380 km.
3. Zhurua
The right tributary of the Amazon carries its waters mainly through the lands of Brazil. The source is located in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. Half of the length is suitable for the passage of ships different types. Valuable oil deposits explored near the main channel. The middle course is densely populated. Best time for a tourist trip - from the middle of winter to the end of spring, when Zhurua floods.
The length of the river is 3280 km.
4. Madeira
Approximately 100 km flows along the state border of Brazil and Bolivia. The name translates as "wood". This is due to the nature of the area: the Amazon Rainforests grow around. The water level fluctuates greatly depending on the season. It can differ by 12 meters. One of the unique local species- Amazonian dolphin.
The length of the river is 3230 km.
5. Purus
The right tributary of the Amazon, which belongs to the territory of Brazil and Peru. It is navigable along almost its entire length. It is famous for its channel, which is considered the most winding in the world. The shores are clayey and washed out from time to time. The river overflows especially widely from the middle of spring. There are good rapids for rafting, as well as sandy beaches near the cities.
The length of the river is 3200 km.
6. Tocantins
Brazilian river originating on the slopes of the Serra Dorada mountains. It is conditionally divided into two parts: the first is rapids, the second is navigable. Food is predominantly rain. A cascade of several dams has been built on Tocantins. The river is used to generate electricity. More than a dozen large settlements are located directly on the coast.
The length of the river is 2850 km.
7. San Francisco
Flows in Brazil and plays especially important role in the dry savannah of the Caatinga: there are no other sources of drinking water. A cascade of hydroelectric power stations was built. There are two shipping areas. In terms of tourism, hiking along the coast, hiking for several days along paved routes, watching waterfalls, as well as extreme kayaking and canoeing are popular.
The length of the river is 2830 km.
8. Orinoco
Belongs to the lands of Colombia and Venezuela. Initially, during the study of the river, its source was established incorrectly. The correct data was entered into the register only in 1951. Orinoco is famous as the habitat of the rarest species of crocodiles, named after the river. There are also Amazonian dolphins. The world's largest reserves of heavy oil have been explored in the vicinity.
The length of the river is 2730 km.
9. Araguaia
The Brazilian river flows through the plateau. Araguay has one of the largest river islands in the world. The area of Bananal is 19162 km². The navigable section of the river is the middle course. The lower reaches are rapids and partially suitable for alloys. The coast is picturesque in places: subequatorial forests are replaced by savannahs, and those, in turn, by evergreen gallery forests.
The length of the river is 2630 km.
10. Paraguay
It belongs to the territory of Brazil and Paraguay, in one of the sections it serves as the state border between these countries. It is a right tributary of the Parana. During the drought period, numerous small tributaries become small lakes, and the main channel becomes shallow. The river divides Paraguay into two parts. At the same time, the western coast is sparsely populated, and 98% of the population settled on the eastern coast.
The length of the river is 2500 km.
11. Rio Negro
The largest left tributary of the Amazon belongs to the territory of three countries: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia. The name translates as "black river". This name was chosen because of the distinct brown hue of the water, which becomes dark in some periods. The water level fluctuates greatly throughout the year, and the Rio Negro seasonal flood reaches a width of 35 km.
The length of the river is 2300 km.
12. Uruguay
The river begins in Brazil, runs along the border with Uruguay and rushes towards Argentina. The translation of the name is “river of colorful birds”. The city of Salto divides the water artery into two parts: rapids and navigable. Several ports have been built along the coast. Provides settlements not only drinking water, but also electricity from hydroelectric power plants.
The length of the river is 2200 km.
13. Tapajos
Right tributary of the Amazon, belonging to the territory of Brazil. Noteworthy is the location of the rainforests on both banks: on the right - the predominantly rain forests of Tapajos-Xingu and the dry tropical forests of Mato Grosso, and on the left - the rainforests of Madeira-Tapajos. Landmarks of the area: the point of inadmissibility of South America and the national park "Amazonia".
The length of the river is 2200 km.
14. Mamore
Refers to the territory of Brazil and Bolivia. The coast of the river is forests and savannahs. From a bird's eye view, the channel of Mamore is difficult to mistake for a river, it is so winding, and the turns are steep. Merges with Beni to form Madeira. In the lower reaches there are many rapids, upstream the river is navigable, like most of its tributaries. Even in the era before Columbus, this area was densely populated.
The length of the river is 2000 km.
15. Japura
In Colombia it is called Caqueta. Part of the river is also in Brazil. It is a left tributary of the Amazon and originates in the Central Cordillera. During the flood, it overflows so strongly that lakes form in the valley. Most of coastal forests have been cleared and turned into pastures or areas for crops. Large fish species and many reptiles live in the waters of Japura.
The length of the river is 2000 km.
16. Xingu
Brazilian right tributary of the Amazon. Rain feeding contributes to the flooding of the river from early autumn to mid-spring. Navigation is only available for 10% of the total length. Lots of large rapids and waterfalls. The most famous of them is Cachoeira Grande. The banks of the river are covered by the Amazon rainforest. In the upper reaches of the Xingu there is a national park of the same name.
The length of the river is 1980 km.
17. Ukayali
A river in Peru, whose mouth is the Amazon, is sometimes mistaken for its source. Formed by the confluence of two rivers. The river is full of twists and turns. At the same time, navigation is available throughout its length. The area around is mixed: there are swampy areas, and there are also those covered with dense forests. Unique Phenomenon Ukayali - "singing" of fish. It has been reflected in several scientific works.
The length of the river is 1950 km.
18. Maranion
Peruvian river of the Amazon water system. It originates from pre-glacial lakes near Mount Erupakha. Most of the channel lies in mountainous terrain, hence the rapid current. The area is characterized by an abundance of canyons and gorges. Suitable for lovers of extreme tourism: a trip to the Marañon river valley requires some preparation and experience of such sorties.
The length of the river is 1600 km.
19. Apure
Venezuelan river, left tributary of the Orinoco. One of the states of the country bears the same name. Originates in the mountains of the Cordillera de Merida. There are two periods in the navigation plan. During the rainy season it is navigable along almost its entire length, the rest of the time - only in certain sections. It overflows especially strongly from May to the end of autumn. At this time, it becomes the main transport artery of the region.
The length of the river is 1580 km.
20. Putumayo
Left tributary of the Amazon, flowing in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, a lot of natural rubber was mined here. The industry has survived, but on a smaller scale. It is navigable along almost the entire channel, it is an important transport artery, given the dense impenetrable forests around. In the Putumayo Valley, cattle are raised.
The length of the river is 1580 km.
21. Magdalena
Colombian river originating in the Andes. Refers to the water system caribbean, into which it falls. The main navigable river of the country. Since the majority of the population lives in the Magdalena Valley, the coast is being actively developed. Deforestation to create pastures and farmland leads to the disappearance of species of flora and fauna, as well as to environmental degradation.
The length of the river is 1550 km.
22. Guapore
It flows in Brazil and Bolivia, in one of the sections it serves as the border between these countries. There are about 260 species of fish in the river, 25 of them are endemic. Some species, like the golden dorado, are commercially caught and exported. The ichthyofauna is predominantly Amazonian, but there are also representatives characteristic of the Paraguay River. Nearby is a biosphere reserve.
The length of the river is 1550 km.
23. Beni
Bolivian river, the length of which is disputed. Measuring the length of the river is difficult due to the winding course, the abundance of rapids and changes in the direction of the flow. This contributes to the appearance of curious natural objects, such as gorges. Beni, along with other rivers, merges together and forms Madeira. On the banks of the Beni, the events of the biographical novel by Yossi Ginsberg, which became a film in 2017, took place.
The length of the river is 1500 km
24. Parnaiba
A wide delta forms at the mouth of the river. Since the mid-90s of the last century, this territory has become a protected natural area. Another important natural object- Serra das Confucions National Park. The number of fish species living in Parnaiba exceeds 140. Of these, a little less than half are endemic. Rare birds nest in the mangrove forests, including red ibises.
The length of the river is 1450 km.
25. Madre de Dios
It belongs to the Amazon basin and flows through the territory of Bolivia and Peru. The navigable part of the river begins below the city of Puerto Maldonado, where a large port has been built. The river valley is actively used for Agriculture, including mango cultivation. There is also gold mining, which has a negative impact on the environment. National parks and protected areas have been founded on Madre de Dios.
The length of the river is 1450 km.
26. Rio Grande
Bolivian river, formed by the confluence of two mountain streams. It is a right tributary of the Mamore. The riverbed passes at least four natural areas. There are both arid regions and tropical forests. The terrain is also heterogeneous: mountain ranges are replaced by lowlands, and vice versa. A third of the country's population lives within the river basin.
The length of the river is 1438 km.
27. Cauca
The Colombian River originates in the Andes, and flows into the Magdalena, becoming its right tributary. About a quarter of the total population of the country lives in the river valley. The territory is separated from the valleys of other rivers by the large uplands of the Cordillera. To meet the needs of the region and to control the level of Cauca, a large reservoir of Salvahina was built.
The length of the river is 1350 km.
28. Iguazu
Occurs in Argentina and Brazil. The translation of the name is "big water". The channel is curved in places, it winds especially strongly in the upper reaches. The main attraction of the river is the cascade of waterfalls of the same name. In total there are about 70 of them. Best Review on them opens from the Brazilian side. In 1984, the Iguazu Falls were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The length of the river is 1320 km.
29. Rio Negro
It flows in the Argentinean Patagonia and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Navigable in some areas. The Rio Negro Valley has extensive agricultural land. Approximately 2/3 of all pears and apples of the country are grown here. The longest kayak regatta in the world is held on the river. It covers half of the river. Near the mouth is the famous resort of El Condor.
The length of the river is 1300 km.
30. Rio Grande
A tributary of the Parana is a Brazilian river, in some parts it is navigable. Hydroelectric power stations and a cascade of reservoirs were built on it. In terms of tourism, the upper reaches of the Rio Grande are more interesting: there you can look at numerous waterfalls and participate in rafting. There are sections with small rapids suitable for beginners. The river is full of water from the middle of winter to March.
The length of the river is 1230 km.
The continent of South America is the richest in terms of water resources. Of course, there is not a single sea on the mainland, but the rivers of South America are very full-flowing and so wide that in a weak current they resemble huge lakes. According to statistics, there are about 20 large rivers here. Since the continent is washed by the waters of two oceans, the rivers also belong to the basins of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. At the same time, the Andes mountain range is a natural watershed between them.
The largest river on the mainland of South America. The Amazon is one of the greatest rivers on the planet
From the school geography course, we all know that one of the largest rivers not only on the South American continent, but also in the world is the Amazon. It, together with its many tributaries, carries a quarter of the world's river water. The Amazon flows immediately through the territories of nine countries and is an important water artery for them, especially in terms of transport links. River navigation is one of the most developed sectors of the economy on the entire continent of South America. The Amazon River in some parts reaches 50 km in width (well, why not the sea?), And its depth in some areas is as much as 100 meters. It is not surprising that in terms of the diversity of flora and fauna, the Amazon also holds the palm. More than 2,000 species of fish live in its waters, including piranha, eel, stingray, etc. In fact, there is no such rich nature like on mainland South America. The Amazon and its tributaries annually attract tourists from all over the world. There are many scientists among them (entomologists, ornithologists, zoologists, etc.)
Paraná
Like the rest of the largest rivers in South America, the Parana passes through the territory of several countries: Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. It got its name from the Indian tribes living on its shores. "Parana" is translated from Indian as "big". This river has many tributaries. Some of them have beautiful waterfalls. Their formation is associated with the relief of the basin of these rivers, as well as their full flow, which is explained by the fact that they receive food from many small channels and streams. They carry their water streams resulting from the huge amount of precipitation. That is why almost all the full-flowing rivers of South America form waterfalls. Parana has four of them, with the most famous of them being Iguazu. But on the tributary of the La Plata is one of the most beautiful cities in South America Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay.
Orinoco
In the list of “Largest rivers in South America”, the Orinoco takes third place. It flows through the territories of two South African countries, namely Venezuela and Colombia. This river differs not so much in width as in length, being one of the longest on the continent. The Orinoco coast is a favorite place for tourists from various countries. Here you can see beautiful natural landscapes.
Paraguay
Under this name in South America can be found several geographical objects. Translated from the Indian, this word means "horned." Paraguay flows through the territories of two major countries- Brazil and Paraguay, and in some areas it is a natural border between these states. And in other areas, it is a watershed between two parts of Paraguay - South, undeveloped, and North, where more than 90 percent of the country's total population lives. By the way, some rivers of South America also serve as natural boundaries separating the territories of two or even three neighboring countries.
Madeira
This river is also one of the largest. It is formed as a result of the confluence of many small rivers. Its name is Portuguese and means "forest". Isn't that a strange name for a river? However, the fact is that the bark of trees growing on the banks constantly floats along it. This river was first described in early XVIII century by the Portuguese Francisco de Melo Pallet. It was he who named her Madeira. Later, it was already well studied by Landrad Gibbon, a lieutenant in the US Navy. By the way, this river serves as the border between Brazil and Bolivia.
Tocantins
As noted above, the largest rivers in South America flow through several states at once. But the basin of this river is completely located on the territory of one country - Brazil. It is the central water artery of this state. The inhabitants of the states of Goias, Maranhao, Tocantins and Para use the water of this particular river. Its name translates as "toucan's beak".
Araguaia
Araguaia is a tributary of the Tocantins and also claims to be one of the largest Brazilian rivers. Depending on the season, it can be both calm and stormy. In the area of Bananal Island, Araguaia forms two branches and smoothly bends around it.
Uruguay
Uruguay merges with the Parana, and these two rather large rivers of South America form the bay-estuary of La Plata, the maximum width of which is 48 km. It stretches to the Atlantic coast for 290 km and has a funnel-shaped depression. When it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the river forms many waterfalls. Its power is also used in energy.
Pair
“Big River” is what the local Indians call it. It is a right tributary of the Amazon. As already mentioned, the entire basin of the most powerful river is distinguished by a large variety of flora and fauna and is of considerable interest to biologists, zoologists, etc. The same can be said about the Para River.
Rio Negro
And the name of this river is translated as “black”. It originates in Colombia, but flows mainly through Brazil. In its upper reaches, it is very stormy and swift, but when it descends to the Amazonian lowland, it becomes a real "quiet". Its main tributary is the Rio Branco.
Iguazu
This river was named in this way because of its full flow. After all, from the Indian its name is translated as “big water”. This river forms a whole cascade of waterfalls, and such a beautiful sight is simply breathtaking. The banks of this magnificent river are considered reserved and are included in the territory of the National Park of Argentina and Brazil.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you have learned which rivers in South America are the largest and deepest. There are many such rivers on the mainland, but the largest are the legendary Amazon, named after the Greek warriors, as well as the Parana and Orinoco.
Inland waters of South America
The features of the relief and climate of South America predetermined its exceptional wealth of surface and ground waters, the enormous amount of runoff, and the presence of the deepest river in the world - the Amazon. 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 rivers between the ocean basins are also extremely unevenly distributed: the basin Pacific Ocean 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 Yu. A. belongs to the area of internal runoff. Rain-fed rivers predominate, in the extreme south - also snow and glacial.
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A large amount of precipitation brought from the Atlantic, and vast plateaus gently sloping down to huge lowlands and plains that collect runoff from the adjacent slopes of the Andes, contributed to the formation of large river systems in eastern 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 streams of constantly wet plains, have a huge hydropower potential (over 300 million kW).
Large lakes, mainly of glacial origin, 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 great lakes of the Earth - Titicaca, 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 Yu. A. - Patus, Lagoa-Mirin.
The largest rivers in South America
Name |
Length in m |
Basin area in thousand km |
Amazon (with Ucayali) |
6437 |
7047 |
Amazon (with Marañon) |
5500 |
|
Paraná (with Rio Grande and La Plata Estuary) |
4876 |
3100 |
Madeira (with Mamore) |
3350 |
1200 |
Zhurua |
3283 |
|
Purus |
3211 |
|
San Francisco |
2914 |
|
Japura (with Kaketa) |
2816 |
|
Orinoco |
2736 |
|
Tocantins |
2699 |
|
Araguaia |
2627 |
|
Paraguay, river |
2550 |
|
Rio Negro |
2253 |
|
Uruguay, river |
1609 |
|
Magdalena |
1538 |
Amazon river
The largest river in South America is the Amazon. Most of its basin lies 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 the Madeira (3200 km).
Some of the tributaries, eroding clay rocks, carry very muddy water (“white” rivers), others, with clear water, are dark from dissolved organic substances (“black” rivers). After flowing 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.
Downstream of the Amazon big influence its regime and the formation of coasts are affected by ebbs and flows. 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 sandbanks 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-going vessels is the southern arm, 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 of waterways 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 Paraná there is a typical flat 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, and lagoonal. There are small glacial and volcanic lakes in different parts of the Andes. The largest glacial and glacial-tectonic lakes are concentrated in the west of the Southern Andes.
The largest lake on the continent Titicaca - 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, Pampas, and also in other areas, up to 40-50% of the runoff falls on groundwater.
waterfalls
Waterfall Angel (Angel) or Salto Angel (Salto Angel)- the highest free-falling waterfall in the world 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 Engel, 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.
waterfalls Iguazu- a wonder of the world, consisting of 275 different cascades of water, the total area of which is 2700 square meters, and the height of the fall 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".
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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.
The most famous and significant rivers of the region are the Amazon, Orinoco, Parana.
The Amazon is the main waterway of South America. It is also the first river on the planet that contains the largest volume of water. This is the most full-flowing river.
The area of the Amazon is more than 7 million square meters. km. Its source is located at the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranyon rivers. This reservoir flows from west to east and ends its journey, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The Maranion River is the main tributary of the Amazon. The total length of these two rivers is 6400 km. The Amazon flows through the plain, which has a slight slope. More than 500 tributaries flow into it along the entire path of its movement. In the northern hemisphere, the abundant period of precipitation occurs in April-October, and in the southern hemisphere - in October-April. The Amazon is replenished with water throughout the year. Therefore, it is the most full-flowing river on the planet. The largest amount of water in the river can be found in March-April. Its right tributaries bring large volumes of water. At this time, its level increases by 10-15 meters. Reservoirs are not kept in their banks, and flood the entire valley. The Amazon crosses half of Brazil, spreading to neighboring states. This river and its tributaries contain 20% of the fresh water of the entire planet.
The width of the river is 5 km - in the middle reaches, 20 km - in its lower reaches. This is where the ocean tides come in. At this time, a wave up to 4 m high can be observed on the river, which moves upstream for a long distance. This wave is called "pororoco". That's what the locals call it. Along the course of the river (in its delta) and in the lower reaches there are many islands. They were formed due to river sediments. There are several explanations for the origin of the name of the river:
- In the local language, "amazunu" is noisy, thundering water.
- But more true and common is the assumption that the river is named after the warlike Amazon women who attacked the Indian tribes. Ancient legends tell about these events.
The Orinoco River begins on the Guiana Plateau and ends its journey when it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its length is 2.74 thousand km. It is located in the subequatorial zone. In the region of the middle course of the river, a wide water branch departs from it, which carries its waters to the Amazon. This phenomenon is called bifurcation. Both the Orinoco and the Amazon have a wide delta at their mouths. In its lower reaches, the Orinoco is divided into many small rivers. During the flood, its width reaches more than 22 km, and the depth is 100 m. The water flow is replenished due to heavy rains. The river is navigable. Orinoco is called the "paradise river" - for its unique beauty and magnificence of local landscapes.
One of the tributaries of the Orinoco River became famous for the highest waterfall in the world. It's called Angel. Its height is 1054 m.
The Parana River begins in the Brazilian Plateau. She is the second great river of South America. It is located in the southeastern part of the mainland. The Parana River links the three countries and serves as the natural state border of Brazil. The Iguazu Stream is a tributary of the Parana River. It is on it that there is a rather picturesque waterfall with the same name. In different seasons, both on the Orinoco and on the Parana, one can observe changes in the water level.
Rare animals live in local rivers - reptiles and fish. On the shores of lakes and rivers, you can see unique natural biocenoses.
Lakes of South America
There are few lakes on this continent. The largest lake is Titicaca. It can be found in the Central Andes at an altitude of 3812 m, it is located in a deep depression. There is a large area and the highest mountain lake in the world.
Lake-lagoon Maracaibo can be found in the north of the continent. Its locations are deep depression ancient origin. The lake is characterized by a large water surface area. The water in it is fresh. But sometimes the tides bring here salt water from the Caribbean.
Environmental problems
The rivers of South America are actively involved in human economic activity. They are a source of energy, transport routes for moving goods, and a habitat for fish species.
But exploit Natural resources follows rationally. The main thing is not to disturb the natural balance, not to harm the unique natural complexes rivers, forests that are located next to the rivers.
South America is the richest water resources continent. 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 UNESCO World Heritage List.
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 fresh water reserves.
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 plays an important role in fishing. 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.
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