Guadalhorce facts for kids
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The Guadalhorce is a very important river in southern Spain. It flows mainly through the Province of Málaga. Its name comes from Arabic words meaning "river" and Latin words meaning "scissors."
This river starts in the Sierra de Alhama mountains in the Province of Granada. It then flows for about 166 kilometers (103 miles) through southern Andalusia. Finally, it empties into the Mediterranean Sea west of the city of Málaga.
The Guadalhorce carries more water than almost any other river in the Costa del Sol area. It creates an amazing canyon called the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. This canyon is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) long. Its walls are very steep and can be as high as 400 meters (1,300 feet)!
As the river flows, it passes through many towns. These include Antequera, Álora, and Cártama. The area around the river is even called the comarca of Valle del Guadalhorce. Before reaching the sea, the river splits into different branches. Some of its water is used to provide drinking water and electricity for the city of Málaga. Also, an ancient Phoenician village was found near where the river meets the sea.
How the Guadalhorce Valley Was Formed
Long, long ago, during the Miocene era, the area where the Guadalhorce river now flows was actually part of the sea. This ancient sea connected the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It flowed through what is now the valley of the Guadalquivir river.
Later, in the Pliocene era, big changes happened. New mountains like the Sierra of Mijas and the Montes de Málaga formed. These mountains blocked the sea connection. This also created the Sierra of Cártama as a separate mountain range. Over time, the river basin slowly took on the shape we see today.
Rivers That Join the Guadalhorce
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Guadalhorce. These are called tributaries. They add more water to the main river as it flows towards the sea.
Some of the important tributaries are:
- Pereilas
- Río Grande
- Arroyo El Valle
- Nacimiento
- Turón
- Caballos
- Guadalteba
- Fahala
- Campanillas
- Arroyo Marín
- Arroyo del Quinto
See also
In Spanish: Guadalhorce para niños
