Gran Valira Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Gran Valira
River
Gran Valira flowing under the Pont de Paris in Andorra la Vella
Countries	Andorra, Spain

Tributaries
- left	Runer
City	Andorra la Vella


Source confluence	Valira d'Orient & Valira del Nord
- location	Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra
- coordinates	42°30′41″N 1°32′11″E / 42.51139°N 1.53639°E / 42.51139; 1.53639
Mouth
- location	La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia, Spain
- elevation	690 m (2,264 ft)
- coordinates	42°20′45″N 1°26′33″E / 42.34583°N 1.44250°E / 42.34583; 1.44250

Length	41.4 km (26 mi)
Basin	591.6 km² (228 sq mi) for the Valira system
Discharge	for La Seu d'Urgell
- average	9.45 m³/s (334 cu ft/s)

The Gran Valira is the largest river in Andorra. It flows right through the capital city, Andorra la Vella. This river then leaves the country in the south, close to the border with Spain.

The Gran Valira is a tributary (a smaller river that flows into a larger one) of the Segre River. The Segre River itself is a tributary of the Ebro River. The Gran Valira joins the Segre River in La Seu d'Urgell, a town in Spain.

Understanding the Gran Valira River
Gallery
See also

Understanding the Gran Valira River

The Gran Valira river is 41.4 km (25.7 mi) long. Only about 9 km (5.6 mi) of its length is outside Andorra. The entire Valira river system, which includes its branches, covers a drainage basin (the area of land where all water drains into the river) of 591.6 km² (228 sq mi).

The river's average yearly discharge is 33.70 m³/s (1,190 cu ft/s) at La Seu d'Urgell. Discharge means the amount of water that flows through a certain part of the river each second.

The Valira river system looks a bit like the letter "Y". The two upper branches are called the Valira del Nord and the Valira d'Orient. These two rivers meet in a town called Escaldes-Engordany. From that point on, the river is known as the Gran Valira.

The Valira del Nord Branch

The Valira del Nord river has a few other names, like Valira de la Massana or Valira de Ordino. It begins high up in the mountains at the Estanys de Tristaina. These are a group of three lakes in northwestern Andorra. They are located in the Ordino area, about 2,306 m (7,566 ft) above sea level.

From these lakes, the river flows towards the center of Andorra. It passes through several small villages. Some of these villages include El Serrat, Llorts, Ordino, and La Massana. Its main smaller rivers that flow into it are the Sorteny and Arinsal rivers.

The Valira d'Orient Branch

The Valira d'Orient river is also known as Valira de Encamp or Valira de Canillo. This branch starts in a place called the Cirque des Pessons. This area is in northeastern Andorra, in the Encamp area.

As it flows, the river goes through villages like Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, and Encamp. Its most important smaller river flowing into it is the Madriu river.

The Main Gran Valira River

The main Gran Valira river officially begins where the Valira del Nord and Valira d'Orient rivers join together. This meeting point is in Escaldes-Engordany.

After forming, the Gran Valira flows through important towns. These include Andorra la Vella, Santa Coloma, and Sant Julià de Lòria. It then crosses into Spain. Once in Spain, another important river, the Runer river, joins it from the left side.

Finally, the Gran Valira flows into the Segre river in the Spanish town of La Seu d'Urgell.