Amazon river

The largest river of South America - Amazon. Most of its pool is south of the equator. The area of \u200b\u200bthis most extensive river basin of the world is over 7 million km 2, the length of the river from the main source (Maranyon River) is 6400 km. If, for the origin of the Amazon, take the ukyali and apurimac, then its length reaches 7194 km, which exceeds the length of the Nile. Amazon water consumption is several times the consumption of all the largest rivers of the world. It is equal to an average of 220 thousand m 3 / s (the maximum flow rate may exceed 300 thousand m 3 / s). The average annual camps in the lower current (7000 km 3) is most of the drain of all South America and 15% of the drain of all the land of the Earth!

The main source of Amazon - the Marandon River - begins in the Andes at an altitude of 4840 m. Only after a merger with the first major influx - Ukyali - within the plain the river gets the name Amazon.

Amazon collects its numerous tributaries (more than 500) from the slopes of the Andes, Brazilian and Gwiang Nagrai. Many of them in length exceed 1500 km. The most numerous and large amazon tributaries are the Southern Hemisphere River. The biggest left inflow - Rio-Nehru (2300 km), the biggest right, and the largest, Amazon's influx - Madeira (3200 km).

Part of the tributaries, blurring clay rocks, carry very turbid water ("white" rivers), others, with transparent water - dark from dissolved organic substances ("black" rivers). After putting into the Amazon, Rio-Nehru (black river) light and dark water flowed in parallel, without mixing, for about 20-30 km, which is clearly visible on space images. South America River Waterfall

The width of the Amazon's channel after the merger of Maranyon and Ukyali is 1-2 km, but it increases rapidly downstream. Manaus (1690 km from the mouth) is already reached up to 5 km, in the lower current expands to 20 km, and in the mouth, the width of the main line of Amazon, together with numerous islands during the spill, reaches 80 km. In the western part of the lowland, Amazon flows almost at the level of shores, in fact, without having a formed valley. In the east, the river forms a deeply embedded valley, which represents a sharp contrast with water-seated spaces.

Approximately 350 km from the Atlantic Ocean begins the Amazon Delta. Despite the ancient age, she did not advanced to the ocean beyond the limits of indigenous banks. Although the river makes huge masses of solid material (on average 1 billion tons per year), the process of increasing the delta is hampered by the activities of tides and ties, the effect of currents, as well as the lowering of the coast.

In the lower target of the Amazon, tides and flowing are a large influence on its regime and the formation of the shores. The tidal wave penetrates upwards by more than 1000 km, in the lower reaches of its wall reaches a height of 1.5-5 m. The wave rushes against the flow at a huge speed, causing strong excitement on sandy shallows and banks, destroying the shore. At the local population, this phenomenon is known as Pororok and Amazun.

Amazon is full for the whole year. Twice a year, the water level in the river rises to a significant height. These maxima are associated with rainy periods of the northern and southern hemispheres. The greatest consumption on the Amazon occurs after the rain period in the southern hemisphere (in May), when its right tributaries carry the bulk of water. The river comes out of the shores and, on average, pours a huge territory, creating a kind of giant inner lake. The water level rises by 12-15m, and in the Manaus area, the river width can reach 35 km. Then the period of gradual decrease in water consumption comes, the river enters the shore. The smallest water level in the river - in August and September, then there is a second maximum associated with the period of summer rains of the northern hemisphere. On Amazon, he manifests itself with some intake, in about November. The November maximum is significantly inferior to May. In the lower river the river, the two maxima gradually merge into one.

From the mouth to the city of Manaus Amazon is available for large vessels. Courts with rather deep sediment can penetrate even to Iquitos (Peru). But in the lower flow due to the tides, the abundance of the nanos and the islands shipping is difficult. Deeper and available for ocean vessels South sleeves - a couple having a common mouth with the Tokantins River. It has a large ocean port of Brazil - Belen. But this sleeve of Amazon is now associated with the main channel only in small ducts. Amazon with tributaries is a system of water routes 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 path that binds the inner parts of the Amazon lowland with the Atlantic coast.

Amazon basin rivers have large water reserves. Many Amazon's tributaries, when leaving the lowland, intersect the steep edges of the Brazilian and Gwiang Nagrain, forming large waterfalls. But these hydroresours are used yet very weak.

The Rivers of America South differ not only by their natural pools, but also by the number of local attractions located on their shores.

Tokantins

One of the main rivers of Brazil formed by the merger of the Rio-Das-Das-Almas and Marajan river. You can find information that Tokantin is an amazon influx, but in reality it is not. The rivers go close to each other and at the same time flow into the water of the Atlantic.

Tokantins is a supplier of clean drinking water, and also serves as an excellent place to fish. Of course, if you compare the variety of local fish with the Amazon pool, then Tokantin's water in this sense is quite poor. But, nevertheless, 350 varieties, for people living on her shores, this is more than enough. Especially often there are representatives of families: haracinov; rivulous. And colts of soma. The river was chosen by their home some large mammals: Amazonian Lamanities; large reptiles; River dolphins.

Sights:

• guariba thresholds;
• floodplain forests;
• reservoir dumping;
• park "Lažedau", "Shapada Das Mesias", "Aragay".

Purrus

The polar is the fodder influx of Amazon and, besides, this is a river with the most winding rift throughout the planet. If you spend a straight line between its source and the place of imposition, then it turns out exactly 3211 km. But in reality, this is just half of the total length of purusa.

One of the most beautiful aquarium fish is a blue discus - lives in the waters of the pirus. But if in an artificial habitat they grow up to 12 centimeters, then in the waters of the river you can see individuals in 20 centimeters. In total, 2000 varieties of fish live in the pool of Purus.

Sights:

• the town of Rio Branka, in which you will certainly visit the Cathedral of Our Lady, Museum Cas de Seringeo, Palace Rio Brranka;
• Port of Vella;
• Xapuri (Museum of Chico Mendez);
• William Chandless Park;
• Abufari and Rio Akre - National Reserves.

Aragaya

Aragaya (in Portuguese, the name sounds like Rio Araguya) is not an official influx of Amazon, but, nevertheless, is part of its pool. Scientists still can not decide on the place of its source. Versions two: mountain range Araras; Ridge Kayapu.

The name of the river was given the Indians of the Tupi-Guarani tribe. The additive syllable "Ara" appeared due to the river water color association with parrots living here. Water Araguai because of a huge number of waterfalls constantly changes its color, and the main shade - a reddish-brown, something resembling the Press Ara's hands.

Water Araguai became a house for a huge number of fish, approximately 2000 species. The exact number is still unknown. At the same time, they live here and very crumbs, which could not even notice if it were not for bright coloring. But the absolute record holder of the local water area is a two-meter Arapaima. And if you believe the bikes of local fishermen, even five-meter giants of Arapaim were caught in Araguai.

Attractions: 18 Territories under the protection of the state, in particular, Katata Parks, Araguay.

South America is the richest water continent. River stock of the mainland is two times superior to the midst of rivers against the rivers. The main power source of rivers - rain precipitation. Glacial nutrition have rivers only in the south of the Andes. The role of snow nutrition is small. For the mainland, large river systems are characteristic. Their formation contributes to the plain relief of the eastern part and the high-mountain ranges of the mainland, large contrasts of heights, the wet climate.

Rivers of South America

Mountains of Andes are the main watershed in the mainland. East of the Andes are large and full-flowered rivers belonging to the Atlantic Ocean Basin. They give 90% of river flow. Among them are Amazon, Orinoco, Parana. On the western slopes of the Andes originate the new rivers that belong to the pool of the Pacific Ocean. (Determine the pools of the rivers.) The field of indoor flow is insignificant (about 6%).

In the mountains, the Andes take the beginning the longest and most freest river on Earth - Amazon And many of her major tributaries. The Amazon's pool is located in a rich and evenly moisturized area, where 1500-3000 mm of precipitation falls. The Amazon River has a length of 7100 km (with the source of apache). The river collects numerous tributary from the slopes of the Andes, the Brazilian and Guiangsky Plane. The Amazon River basin is the largest in the world (about 7 million km2). On the area it is almost equal to Australia. Amazon's water make up 1/5 of all waters endured in the world ocean rivers of our planet. The aspiring effect of the Amazon's water on the ocean is manifested for 400 km from the mouth of the river. After the merger of the River Ukyali and Maranyon Amazon has 1-2 km width. Downstream width increases to 5 km, and in the lower current up to 20 km. At the mouth, the width of the main channel with numerous islands reaches 80 km.

Amazon is full of all year, as it feeds on thousands of tributaries. The largest tributaries: the right - Madeira and the left - Rio Negra. The largest level of water in the Amazon is after the rain period in the southern hemisphere (in May), when its right tributaries carry the bulk. The water level in the manaus area rises by 12-15 meters. The smallest water level - in August and September.

Together with the tributaries, Amazon forms the world's greatest system of inland waterways with a length of more than 25 thousand km.

From the mouth to the city of Manaus, and this is 4300 km, Amazon is available for large vessels. The river has enormous hydropower resources. In the waters of Amazon, 1/3 of the species of freshwater fish of our planet. It is 6 times more than in the waters of the whole of Europe. Amazon is recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Parana ("Silver River") - the second largest river of South America (4380 km). Like Amazon, it has two sources (Rio Grandi and Paranaiba) on Brazilian plateau. Parana, unlike the Amazon, crosses several climatic belts. That is why the amount of precipitation entering different parts of the river basin is not the same. In the upper reaches, Parana falls in the summer, in the lower current - in winter.

The river lays its course through the solid rock formation of the platform, so it is characterized by thresholds and waterfalls. The largest of them is a waterfall Iguaçu. This is not just a waterfall, but a whole system of waterfalls stretching almost three kilometers.

Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, Waterfall Iguazu is one of the most majestic wonders in the world of nature. The waterfall falls into the gorge with two sheer basalt steps 275 with streams and streams separated by rocky islands. The total height of the fall is 72 m, width - 2700 m. The waters of water are heard in 20-25 kilometers.

The third largest river of South America - Orinok.o (2730 km) originates on Guiang's plateau. Orinoco spreads in summer due to rain. The tributaries are stormy, there are many thresholds and waterfalls on them, so they are not suitable for shipping. The Orinoco River is the most important trading path.

Paradise and Orinoco river pools are located mainly in the subequatorial belts, so they have a pronounced seasonality of the flow - a stormy flood in the summer and a sharp decline in water in winter.

At one of the tributaries, Orinoco is the highest waterfall of the world - Angel (1054 m).

A huge pillar of water, foam and couple with a mighty rumble will overthrow, as if from the clouds. The waterfall is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lake South America

South America is not very rich in lakes. By origin, they are divided into tectonic, glacial, volcanic, lagoon, antiques. The largest glacial lakes are concentrated in the West in the southern part of the Andes. On the internal plateaus of the Andes, on the plain Granchako, lakes are tectonic, heartless, saline. Along the lowland coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, there are large lake lagoon - shallow parts of the ocean separated from him by land and connect with him.

The largest high-altitude lake Titicaca is in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. Its area is 8300 km2. The lake is located at an altitude of 3812 m, occupying deep tectonic depression. The depth of the lake is 304 m. This is the largest mountain lake in the world by fresh water reserves.

It is assumed that the lake is the remainder of the sea bay. Balsia trees grow around the lake, of which the Indians make the rafts boat.

In the north of the mainland, in Venezuela, there is the largest lake lagoon Maracaibo with an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 16,000 km2. It is connected by a narrow dummy with the bay of the Caribbean. The lake plays an important role in the fishing fishery. The most valuable product of its fishers - shrimp.

On the territory of South America there are approximately 2000 reservoirs. The Parran River is a reservoir cascade.

Artesian waters are widely used in the water supply of the arid territories of South America (the plain Grand Character, intermountain brands). The most powerful glaciers of South America are located in the southern Andes Chile and Argentina. There they go down to the sea and form extensive ice fields.

The glaciation is developed in Patagonian Andes. The largest glacier is Perito-Moreno. The territory of the glacier is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its area is 250 km2, width - about 5 km.

South America is the richest water continent, has a thick river network. Most of the runoff falls on the Atlantic Ocean. Here the longest and the very largest river of the world - Amazon takes place, are the two largest lakes - Titicaca and Maracaibo. The main source of nutrition of rivers - atmospheric precipitation. Rivers are used as sources of fresh water, they have large stocks of energy resources and are important transport paths.

General characteristics of inland water of South America

Thanks to the wet climate and the plain relief on the mainland, a developed network of inland waters was formed. The rivers of the mainland have, mostly rainy food type . From mountain snow and glaciers take the beginning of the streams that feed the largest rivers of the plains.

The territory of the mainland is divided by the features of the relief into two main wastewater. Atlantic Ocean Pool It occupies the entire plain part of the continent with the largest rivers. TO pacific pool Believe relatively short rivers flowing from the Western hones of the Andes.

In the area of \u200b\u200bthe Interior Plane, the Andes are insignificant in the area of \u200b\u200bthe pools Interior Stream . Glaciers in the mountains are small. Despite the fact that the mountains of Andes are high and reach a snow line, there is little precipitation there due to dry climate of the Pacific coast (the influence of the Cold Peruvian current).

The first researchers of rivers and lakes continents were Spanish conquerors who used rivers as transport arteries.

Rivers of South America

The most famous and largest rivers of the mainland are Amazon, Parana, Orinoco .

Note 1.

Amazon - Not only the main water artery of South America, but also the very largest river of the world.

Amazon's pool is more than $ 7 $ million $ km² $. Actually, Amazon originates from the place of confusion of rivers Maranyon and Ukyali And flowing from the west to the east, falling into the Atlantic Ocean. The total length of the channel, taking into account the r. Maranyon as the main tributary, is $ 6400 $ km. The Amazon Valley is a flat plain with a very minor bias. On his way the river takes more than $ 500 $ influx. Since the maximum of precipitation in the northern hemisphere comes in April-October, and in South - in October-April, Amazon takes a large amount of water all year round. Therefore, she is title The largest river of the world . The maximum water level falls on March-April (the right influx is more). The water level during this period rises $ 10-15 m. The rivers come out from the shores, spilling throughout the valley.

On average, the river width of $ 5 $ km, and in the lower current - exceeds $ 20 $ km. During the ocean tide, a wave up to $ 4 $ M M moves upstream for many kilometers. Local residents call this wave "Pororoko". A lot of islands formed by river nans are found in the delta and lower river. The origin of the name of the river is explained in different ways:

1. At local law "Amazun" means noisy, ratty water .
2. But the more common version states that the river was called in honor of warlike women from ancient legends - amazon . The reason is that the first river researchers were attacked by the militant tribes of the Indians, among which there were many women.

Orinoko River Takes the beginning of S. Gwianky Plateau. And flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In the middle of the Orinoca River, the sleeve is separated and the water carries to Amazon. This phenomenon is called bifurcation . The mouth of the river is the same as Amazon, has an extensive delta.

At one of the tributaries, Orinoco is located waterfall Angel . Its height is $ 1054 m.
This is the highest waterfall of the world.

River Parana Takes the beginning of S. Brazilian Plateau. . This is the second largest river of South America. On her influx Iguasu Located the most picturesque eponymous waterfall. For parana and orinoco are characterized by seasonal fluctuations in the water level.

Water rivers are inhabited by rare animals (fish, reptiles). On the banks of the rivers and the lakes were formed unique natural complexes.

Lakes continent

Lakes in South America little. The largest lake in the central Andes - Titicaca . It lies in deep wpadin, at an altitude of $ 3812 $ m.

Among the major lakes are the most high mountain lake of the world.

The largest area of \u200b\u200bthe water mirror is lake Laguna Maracaibo . It is located in the northern part of the mainland and occupies a deep-water depression of tectonic origin. Water in the lake is fresh. But during the tidys, the salty water of the Caribbean falls.

Ecological problems

South America's rivers play an important role in man's economic activities. These are the transport arteries (often are the only in that part of the mainland), and the source of energy, and the habitat of fishing fish species.

But the exploitation of natural wealth requires a weighted approach. Because, disturbing a natural balance, a person can destroy the unique natural complexes of rivers and forests located along these rivers.