South America located in the south of the Western Hemisphere, length - 7350 km from north to south. it the wettest continent of our planet.
The most moistened slopes of the Andes. Here is the majority of lakes, some of which are the oldest on the planet. The mainland is famous for its waterfalls: the highest in the world is Angel, and the most powerful is Iguazu. He has an extensive river system.
The longest rivers of South America are known throughout the world and stretch for thousands of kilometers.
List
- 10. Pilcomayo, 2,500 km
- 9. Paraguay, 2,535 km
- 8. Japura, 2 615 km
- 7. Araguaya, 2 627 km
- 6. Tocantins, 2 699 km
- 5. São Francisco, 3,180 km
- 4. Madeira - Mamor - Rio Grande - Rio Kane - Rocha, 3,239 km
- 3. Purus, 3,379 km
- 2. La Plata - Parana - Rio Grande, 3,998 km
- 1. Amazon, 6,992 km
10. Pilcomayo, 2,500 km
It flows in the central part of South America, a tributary of Paraguay. The name of the river was taken from the Quechua Indians. In their language "Pishqu" means "bird", and the word "Mayu" translates as "river".
But the Guarani Indians call her Araguay: "Ara" - this is "parrot", and "Guaу" – “water". Pilcomayo originates in the Andes, and at the end joins the Paraguay River. This is the natural border separating Paraguay and Argentina.
Unfortunately, in the 70-90s of the twentieth century, 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 out.
9. Paraguay, 2,535 km
This is the 5th largest river of the continent, one of the main tributaries of Parana. It divides the Republic of Paraguay into 2 parts: the northern, sparsely populated and poorly developed, and southern, where about 98% of the population lives.
Title “Paraguay”Is translated from the language of the Guarani Indians as "Horned river". Throughout its length there are no dams, so shipping is well developed. Residents raise livestock and engage in agriculture. Thanks to the canals fed by the river, huge areas of irrigated land, as well as pastures and forests, appeared.
In the upper reaches of the river is Pantanal, a swampy flowering lake. It has unique flora and fauna. So, flake, a wonderful fish that has both lungs and gills, feels good here. Tourists cannot but be amazed by the giant water lilies, 10-meter palm trees and many species of wild roses, lilies.
8. Japura, 2 615 km
This is a tributary of the Amazon, which originates in the Eastern Cordillera. Most of the river is located in Colombia, where it is called Kaketoy. Approximately one third flows through Brazil, where the name “Japura».
The river is winding, it feeds mainly on rainwater. From December to May, the flood begins, when it leaves its banks, forming many lakes and swamps.
Japura serves many locals as a means of transportation. They canoe on it, transport goods and small loads.
Here you can see unique fish and reptiles: piranhas, turtles, unusual electric eels, as well as huge catfishes, whose weight sometimes reaches up to 91 kg and they grow up to 1.8 m, many other amazing animals.
7. Araguaya, 2 627 km
This river flows through Brazil, at the end flows into the Tocantins. The name translated from Guarani means "River ara". The macaw, as you know, has colorful feathers. Water in the river Araguaya also constantly changes its color, becomes cloudy, although mostly it is reddish-brown.
The riverbanks are buried in coastal vegetation, which has become an ideal habitat for wild animals. Here you can find unique views. 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 can dry 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 the 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. São Francisco, 3,180 km
San francisco is the 3rd longest river in South America, flows through Brazil. The river was first discovered in 1500, conquistador Pedro Mendoza named it Deer.
But the river got a different name, coined by the Portuguese Gonçalo Cuell. His expedition reached the mouth of the river on the day of St. Francis, so it was decided to name it in his honor.
There are no large cities or industrial enterprises on the banks of this river, except for Belo Horizonte, where deposits of manganese and gold are developed, precious stones are mined.
The local population catches fish or cattle. There are also those who serve extreme alloy expeditions. Tourists enjoy canoeing and kayaking on the water, which swiftly rushes in the gorges.
4. Madeira - Mamor - Rio Grande - Rio Kane - Rocha, 3,239 km
A major tributary of the Amazon is the Madeira River. Its name is translated from Portuguese "Madeira" denotes "Forest or wood"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. It feeds on rainwater. Its length is 2 thousand km. A tributary of the Mamor is the Rio Grande River, 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 - Mamor - Rio Grande - Rio Kane - Rocha is 3239 km, and the catchment basin is 850 thousand.
3. Purus, 3,379 km
This is the right tributary of the Amazon, 90% of the basin of which is located in Brazil. Its exact length is difficult to determine, because it is considered one of the most meandering rivers in the world, but experts agree that it is at least 2,960 km.
The water in the river is bright, but turbid, it has a lot of nutrients. Purus considered one of the deepest in the Amazon, most of it is navigable. Between December and May it overflows, 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 is Paranais 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 Guayaki Indians called it "The river of misfortune ".
Formed due to the confluence of 2 large rivers, the Rio Grande and Paranaib. The first river is in central Brazil, originating in the Mantiqueira mountains. 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 an important water resource of South America, 70% of the products from 5 countries through which it flows (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia) are received thanks to the La Plata river, the water consumption of which increases 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 Maranion, then it is 6400 km, from Apachet - 6992 km, and from Ukayali - 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 opened by conquistador Francisco de Aureliano. In 1542, he allegedly fought with a tribe of Amazons, a tribe of women who live on their own, without men. Historians believe that he encountered either a tribe of Indians, where women fought, or took long-haired men for them.
In the space around the river there are more than 1 million different animals and plants, many of which are not described.