Dajabón River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dajabón |
|
| Massacre | |
| River | |
| Countries | Dominican Republic, Haiti |
|---|---|
| Provinces | Dajabón, Monte Cristi, Nord-Est Department |
| Municipalities | Loma de Cabrera, Dajabón |
| Tributaries | |
| - left | Capotillo |
| Cities | Loma de Cabrera, Dajabón, Ouanaminthe |
| Source | |
| - location | Pico de Gallo, Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic |
| - elevation | 1,205 m (3,953 ft) |
| Mouth | Manzanillo Bay |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| - coordinates | 19°42′07″N 71°45′31″W / 19.70194°N 71.75861°W |
| Length | 55 km (34 mi) |
| Basin | 380 km² (147 sq mi) |
| Discharge | for Don Miguel, south of Dajabón |
| - average | 2.84 m³/s (100 cu ft/s) |
The River Dajabón is an important river located in the northern part of the Cordillera Central mountain range in the Dominican Republic. This river is about 55 kilometers (34 miles) long. It flows northwards until it reaches the Manzanillo Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. For a significant part of its journey, the Dajabón River forms a natural border between the Dominican Republic and its neighboring country, Haiti.
Contents
What's in a Name? The River Dajabón
The Dajabón River has had different names throughout history. Its original name, given by the Taíno people who first lived on the island of Hispaniola, was Guatapaná.
How it Got the Name Dajabón
When Spanish settlers arrived on the island, they started calling the river Dajabón. This name came from the Taíno word for the region, which was Dahaboon. So, the river was named after the area it flowed through.
Why it's Also Called Massacre River
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Dajabón River became a border between the Spanish and French colonies on the island. Because it was a border, there were many conflicts and battles fought near the river. Sadly, many people lost their lives during these fights. Because of this, the French people began calling the river Massacre. In Spanish, this name is sometimes written as Masacre. The word "massacre" means a terrible event where many people are killed.
The River's Journey: Its Course
The Dajabón River begins its journey high up in the mountains.
Where the River Starts
The source of the Dajabón River is found at a mountain called Pico de Gallo. This mountain is located on the northern side of the Cordillera Central mountain range. From there, the river starts flowing.
Flowing Through Provinces and Borders
As the river flows, it passes through the Dajabón province in the Dominican Republic. After that, it becomes a very important natural boundary. The Dajabón River forms part of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Its journey ends when it flows into the Manzanillo Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
River Flow and Water Volume
The amount of water that flows through the Dajabón River is measured at a place called Don Miguel, which is a few kilometers south of the city of Dajabón. On average, about 2.84 cubic metres of water pass through the river every second. This measurement is called the river's discharge.
Cities Along the River
Several important cities are located near the Dajabón River:
- The city of Dajabón is the most significant Dominican city close to the river.
- The river also flows near the city of Loma de Cabrera.
- On the Haitian side, the city of Ouanaminthe is also close to the river.
Rivers Joining the Dajabón
A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river. The most important tributary of the Dajabón River is the Capotillo River. In Haiti, this same river is known as the Bernard River. There are no other major tributaries joining the Dajabón in its lower sections.
The Capotillo River also plays a role in forming the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It marks the northern border until it meets the Dajabón River. This meeting point is located between the cities of Loma de Cabrera and Dajabón. After they join, the border continues to follow the path of the Dajabón River.
See also
In Spanish: Río Dajabón para niños
