The Orinoco River is the longest and most important river of Venezuela. It is 1,550-mile (2,500 km) long. It rises on the western slopes of the Parima mountains in the southwestern Guiana Highlands. Then it flows down in a southeast-northwest direction, to the green lowlands of Venezuela. Next, it turns right to run eastward across the savannas, making a large arc. It contains more than 1,000 species of fish, which include piranha. Giant otters and crocodiles are also found in its waters.
The Orinoco River empties into the Atlantic Ocean, forming a delta. Along its way, it receives fresh water from important tributaries, such as the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni river from the right, and the Guaviari, Meta, Apure, and Arauca river from the left. Thus, the Orinoco becomes very wide, between 1 and 1.5 km in width. It is formed by 90% of rain water and only 10% of melting snow. The melting snow water flows from the Andes Mountain Range through the Apure and Guaviare river.
Below, a map of Venezuela, exhibiting the Orinoco River, which runs across the South American country.
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