Guadarranque facts for kids

The Guadarranque River (also known as Río Guadarranque in Spanish) is a short river located in southern Spain. It flows through the region of Andalusia, specifically in an area called Campo de Gibraltar within the province of Cádiz.

This river is important because its waters are collected to form a large reservoir called the Embalse de Guadarranque. The name "Guadarranque" comes from an old Arabic phrase, Wadi Ramke, which means "river of mares" (female horses).

The Guadarranque River is about 43 kilometers (around 27 miles) long. It starts in the mountains of Castellar, not far from the ancient city of Castellar Viejo. From there, it flows until it reaches the Bay of Algeciras, where it empties into the sea.

There's also a large Guadarranque solar power plant nearby. This plant uses photovoltaic technology to turn sunlight into electricity. It's located in the Guadarranque industrial park, which is named after the river, in the town of San Roque, Cádiz.

It's good to know that there's another river in Spain also called Guadarranque, located in the Montes de Toledo mountains. But don't get them mixed up! The one we're talking about here is in Cádiz.

River Journey

The Guadarranque River begins its journey high up in the mountains of Castellar. As it flows, it collects water from different streams and smaller rivers. This water eventually fills the Guadarranque Reservoir, which is a key source of water for the local area.

The Guadarranque Reservoir

The Embalse de Guadarranque is a man-made lake created by building a dam across the river. Reservoirs like this are very important because they store water for people to use in their homes, for farming, and for industries. They also help control floods.

Name Origin

The name "Guadarranque" has a long history. It comes from the Arabic language, from the words Wadi Ramke. In Arabic, "Wadi" means a valley or a riverbed, and "Ramke" refers to mares, or female horses. So, the name basically means "River of Mares." This shows how different cultures have influenced the names of places in Spain over many centuries.

Local Importance

The Guadarranque River and its surrounding area are important for both nature and human activities. The river provides water, and the nearby industrial park, named after the river, is home to businesses like the solar power plant.

Guadarranque Solar Power Plant

The Guadarranque solar power plant is a modern facility that helps produce clean energy. It uses many solar panels to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This is a great example of how technology can use natural resources like the sun to power our lives in an environmentally friendly way.

See also

In Spanish: Río Guadarranque (Cádiz) para niños