Aude (river) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aude |
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The Aude at Carcassonne
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The Aude river (blue lines) in the Aude department (with red lines)
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| Native name | L'Aude |
| Countries | France |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Les Angles, Lac d'Aude, Massif du Carlit, Pyrénées, France 2,136 m (7,008 ft) |
| River mouth | Fleury/Vendres, France, Mediterranean Sea 0 m (0 ft) 43°12′45″N 3°14′25″E / 43.21250°N 3.24028°E |
| Length | 224.1 km (139.2 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 6,074 square kilometres (2,345 sq mi) total and 4,900 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi) above Coursan |
| Tributaries |
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The Aude is an important river in southern France. It begins high up in the Pyrenees mountains and flows all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The Aude department, a region in France, is actually named after this river!
Long ago, during the time of the Roman Empire, the Romans called this river Atax. People think the name "Aude" slowly changed from "Atax." The word Atax might have come from an old Celtic word, atacos, which meant "spirited" or "very fast."
Contents
Exploring the Aude River's Journey
The Aude river is about 224 km (139.2 mi) long. It has a large drainage basin, which is the area of land where all the rain and melted snow eventually flow into the river. This basin covers about 6,074 km2 (2,345 sq mi).
Where the Aude River Starts
The Aude river begins in a mountain area called the Massif of Carlit. It starts at a place called the Lac d'Aude (Lake Aude) in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. The river's source is very high up, at an elevation of about 2,180 metres (7,150 ft)!
The River's Path to the Sea
From the Pyrenees mountains, the Aude river first flows from south to north. When it reaches the city of Carcassonne, it changes direction and starts flowing towards the east.
Finally, the river empties into the Mediterranean Sea. This happens a few kilometers from the city of Narbonne. The mouth of the river is near a place called Grau de Vendres, right on the border between the Aude and Hérault departments.
The Aude river flows through one large region of France called Occitanie. It also passes through four different departments and 75 smaller areas called communes. Some of the main towns and cities along its path include:
- In Ariège: Rouze
- In Pyrénées-Orientales: Matemale, Formiguères
- In Aude: Axat, Quillan, Couiza, Limoux, Carcassonne, Trèbes, Narbonne, Coursan
- In Hérault: Olonzac, Lespignan, Vendres
Main Rivers Joining the Aude
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Aude. These are called tributaries. Here are some of the main ones that are 30 km (about 19 miles) or longer:
- Rivers joining from the left side:
- Rébenty - 33.6 km long
- Sou - 29.5 km long
- Fresquel - 63 km long
- Orbiel - 40.9 km long
- Argent-Double - 37.4 km long
- Cesse - 53.5 km long
- Rivers joining from the right side:
- Lauquet - 36.6 km long
- Orbieu - 84.1 km long
Gallery
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The Aude at Matemale
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The Aude at Axat
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The Aude near its mouth at Salles-d'Aude
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The Orbieu, the main tributary of the Aude, at Lagrasse
Images for kids
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The fortified city of Carcassonne and the old bridge crossing the Aude river at night
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The source of the Aude in the commune of Les Angles, near Lac d'Aude
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The bridge across the Aude at Limoux
See also
In Spanish: Río Aude para niños
