Guanipa River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guanipa River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Venezuela |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Paria |
| Length | 340 km (210 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,100 sq mi (2,800 km2) |
The Guanipa River is an important river located in the north-eastern part of Venezuela, a country in South America. It is one of the many rivers that help shape the landscape and support life in this region. The river eventually flows into the Gulf of Paria, which is a large body of water connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
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The Guanipa River: A Lifeline in Venezuela
The Guanipa River plays a key role in the geography of eastern Venezuela. It is a natural waterway that helps drain water from a large area of land. Rivers like the Guanipa are essential for the environment, providing water for plants, animals, and even people who live nearby.
Where Does the Guanipa River Flow?
The Guanipa River begins its journey in Venezuela and travels across the land. Its path takes it through different landscapes before it reaches its final destination. The river's mouth, or where it ends, is in the Gulf of Paria. This gulf is a semi-enclosed sea that separates parts of Venezuela from the island of Trinidad.
How Big is the Guanipa River?
The Guanipa River is quite long, stretching for about 340 kilometers (which is about 211 miles). To give you an idea, that's like driving from one end of a state to another!
The amount of water flowing in the Guanipa River is also measured. On average, about 600 cubic feet of water per second (or about 17 cubic meters per second) flows through it. This measurement, called discharge, tells us how much water the river carries.
What is a River Basin?
The area of land that collects all the rainfall and snowmelt that eventually drains into a river is called its river basin or drainage basin. The Guanipa River's basin covers a large area of about 1,100 square miles (which is about 2,849 square kilometers). This means that all the rain that falls within this huge area will eventually make its way into the Guanipa River.
Why is the Guanipa River Important?
Rivers like the Guanipa are vital for many reasons. They provide fresh water, which is necessary for drinking, farming, and supporting various ecosystems. The areas around rivers are often rich in plant and animal life, making them important habitats. While specific details about the Guanipa River's importance to local communities or unique wildlife are not always widely known, it undoubtedly contributes to the natural environment of north-eastern Venezuela.
See Also
- List of rivers of Venezuela
- In Spanish: Río Guanipa para niños
Sources
- Rand McNally, The New International Atlas, 1993.
