Gallegos River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gallegos River |
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Gallegos River
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 Location of the mouth
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| Country | Argentina |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Rubens River with Penitente River or confluence of Penitente River with Turbio River |
| River mouth | Atlantic Ocean 51°35′40″S 68°58′30″W / 51.59444°S 68.97500°W |
| Length | 180 km (110 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 10,120 km2 (3,910 sq mi) |
The Gallegos River (also known as Río Gallegos in Spanish) is an important river in Argentina. It flows through the Santa Cruz province. The city of Río Gallegos, which is the capital of the province, is located at the river's mouth. This river is special because its water basin only reaches the edges of the Andes mountains. This means it's called a "sub-Andean" river.
Contents
Where the River Starts
There are a couple of ideas about where the Gallegos River actually begins. One idea is that it forms where the Rubens River and the Penitente River join together.
Another idea suggests that the Rubens River is actually a smaller stream that flows into the Penitente River. In this case, the Gallegos River would start a bit further downstream. It would begin where the Penitente River meets the Turbio River.
The River's Journey
The Gallegos River travels about 180 kilometers (112 miles) from its source. It flows east until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
On its way, the river passes through a wide canyon that was carved by glaciers. This canyon is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) wide. Along its journey, other rivers join the Gallegos River. These include the Turbio, Cóndor, and Zurdo rivers.
Even with these rivers joining it, the amount of water in the Gallegos River can become very low. This often happens during the dry season when there isn't much rain.
Why the River Has Its Name
The Gallegos River was named after a person called Blasco Gallegos. He was one of the pilots who sailed with Ferdinand Magellan on his famous expedition in 1520.
Fishing in the River
The Gallegos River is a popular spot for fishing, especially for tourists. People enjoy fly fishing here. They often try to catch brown trout, which are a type of fish that lives in the river.
River Basin Across Borders
A part of the area that drains water into the Gallegos River is not just in Argentina. It also extends into Chile's Magallanes Region. This means the river's basin crosses the border between the two countries.
See also
In Spanish: Río Gallegos (río) para niños
