Apure River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apure |
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| Countries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Venezuela 3,912 m (12,835 ft) (Páramo Batallón) |
| River mouth | Orinoco 20 km (12 mi) west of Cabruta 7°40′N 66°25′W / 7.667°N 66.417°W |
| Length | 1,038 km (645 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 167,000 km2 (64,000 sq mi) |
The Apure River is an important river in southwestern Venezuela. It forms where two rivers, the Sarare and Uribante, meet near a town called Guasdualito. The Apure River then flows across a large flat area known as the Llanos, eventually joining the mighty Orinoco River. This river is very important for transportation in the region.
Where the Apure River Begins
Most of the small streams that create the Apure River start in the high mountains of Venezuela. These mountains are part of the Cordillera de Mérida. A few smaller streams that feed the Sarare River come from the Eastern Andes in Colombia.
These Colombian streams enter Venezuela where they meet the Oirá River. The Oirá River flows through a very narrow valley and forms part of the border between Colombia and Venezuela for about 41 kilometers (25 miles). The Uribante River is longer than the Sarare. It starts near the town of Pregonero, close to the border between Táchira and Mérida states.
So, the Apure River gets its water from both the Colombian and Venezuelan Andes mountains. However, most of its water comes from the Venezuelan side.
The River's Journey
From where the Uribante and Sarare rivers join, the Apure River flows east across the flat Venezuelan Llanos. It eventually reaches the Orinoco River. The Apure flows mainly through Apure State, passing by the city of San Fernando.
Before joining the Orinoco, the Apure River splits into six smaller channels, like a braided river. This happens west of Cabruta, in Guárico State. The Apure River is about 1,038 kilometers (645 miles) long, from the start of the Uribante River to where it meets the Orinoco.
The river is easy to travel on by boat for about 800 kilometers (500 miles) upstream from the Orinoco. In this part, the river flows slowly across the flat plains. However, there are some faster-moving sections, or rapids, about 177 kilometers (110 miles) from the Orinoco.
The main rivers that flow into the Apure from the north are the Caparo, Portuguesa, and Guarico rivers. From the south, the Caucagua is its only major tributary. Because the land is very flat, the Apure River's winding paths and small channels often mix with those of the Arauca River. This creates a large area that floods every year. However, during the dry season, both rivers flow in their own separate channels.
See also
In Spanish: Río Apure para niños
