Desaguadero River (Argentina) facts for kids
The Desaguadero River (which means "drainage river" in Spanish) is an important river in Argentina. It starts high up near the Tipas volcano in La Rioja, about 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) above sea level. When it's in its upper parts, people sometimes call it the Bermejo or Vinchina River. Further downstream, it's also known as the Salado River.
This long river eventually meets the Colorado River in La Pampa Province, near a place called Pichi Mahuida. The Desaguadero River stretches for about 1,498 kilometers (931 miles). Its drainage basin (the area of land where all the water flows into it) covers a huge space of about 260,000 square kilometers (100,000 square miles).
Water for Farming
The Desaguadero River is one of the main rivers that provides water to the farming areas in a region of Argentina called Cuyo. It flows along the eastern edge of this region. Even though the river is very long, it often becomes a small, shallow stream for most of the year. This is because a lot of its water is used for irrigation, which helps crops grow. Because of this, the river's water only sometimes reaches the Colorado River.
Rivers Joining the Desaguadero
Several other rivers flow into the Desaguadero River, adding to its waters. These are called tributaries. Some of the important tributaries include:
- The Jáchal River
- The San Juan River
- The Tunuyán River
- The Diamante River
- The Atuel River
A River of History
For a long time, the Desaguadero River was a significant natural boundary. It marked the traditional border between two very large areas that were once controlled by Spain: the Viceroyalty of Buenos Aires and the Viceroyalty of Peru. These "viceroyalties" were like big territories ruled by a viceroy, who was a representative of the Spanish king.
See also
In Spanish: Río Desaguadero (Argentina) para niños
