Júcar facts for kids
The Júcar River is an important river in Spain. It is also known as Xúquer in the Valencian language. This river flows across the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Júcar River is about 509 kilometers (316 miles) long. It starts high up in the mountains called Montes Universales. This area is part of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range. The river's most important smaller river joining it is the Cabriel River.
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The Júcar River's Journey
The Júcar River begins its journey flowing south. Then, it turns and flows towards the east. Along its path, it passes through several interesting towns.
Towns Along the River
Some of the towns the Júcar River flows through include Cuenca and Alcalá del Júcar. It also goes through Cofrentes, Alzira, and Sueca. Finally, the river reaches Cullera, a town close to where it meets the sea.
Where the River Ends
The Júcar River empties into the Gulf of Valencia. This gulf is part of the large Mediterranean Sea. The river crosses three different provinces in Spain: Cuenca, Albacete, and Valencia.
The Great Flood of 1982
In 1982, the Júcar River caused a very big flood. This happened when the Tous Dam broke. It was the largest flood ever recorded in Spanish history.
What Happened During the Flood
The water flowed incredibly fast, at 16,000 cubic meters per second. This is like filling more than six Olympic-sized swimming pools every second! Sadly, over 30 people lost their lives.
Why the Flood Was So Important
People at the time thought the Tous Dam was very strong. They believed it could not be destroyed. Because of this, the flood was a huge shock. It was given a special name: La pantanada de Tous. This event showed how powerful nature can be.
See also
- List of rivers of Spain
- Rambla del Poyo
- In Spanish: Júcar para niños
