Catatumbo River facts for kids
The Catatumbo River is an important river in South America. It starts in Colombia and flows into Venezuela. This river is well-known for its unique natural features.
What is the Catatumbo River?
The Catatumbo River is a long waterway. It stretches for about 500 kilometers (310 miles). Rivers are like natural highways for water. They carry water from mountains or hills to larger bodies of water.
Where does it flow?
The Catatumbo River begins its journey in the mountains of northeastern Colombia. It then flows northwards. Eventually, it crosses the border into Venezuela. In Venezuela, the river empties into Lake Maracaibo. Lake Maracaibo is a very large lake, or some say a bay, in northwestern Venezuela. The river brings fresh water and nutrients to the lake.
The amazing Catatumbo Lightning!
The area where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo is famous for something incredible. It's called the Catatumbo Lightning. This is a natural light show that happens almost every night!
Imagine lightning flashing for hours, nearly every day of the year. This special lightning happens because of the unique weather in the area. Warm, moist air from the lake meets cooler air from the mountains. This creates perfect conditions for thunderstorms. The lightning often appears without any thunder. It lights up the night sky like a giant natural disco ball! Scientists are still studying exactly why it happens so often here. It's a truly amazing sight to see.
See also
In Spanish: Río Catatumbo para niños
