Limarí River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Limarí River |
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| Country | Chile |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean |
| Length | 64 km (40 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 11,800 km2 (4,600 sq mi) |
The Limarí River is an important river in Chile, a country in South America. It flows through the Coquimbo Region, which is in the central part of Chile. This river is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) long and plays a key role in the local environment and for the people living nearby.
Contents
Where the Limarí River Begins
The Limarí River doesn't start from a single spring. Instead, it forms when two other rivers meet. These are the Hurtado River and the Grande River. They join together about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of a city called Ovalle. This meeting point is called a confluence.
The River's Journey
After forming, the Limarí River flows towards the Pacific Ocean. As it travels, the lower part of the river runs along the southern edge of a special place called Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park. This park is known for its unique forest, which is like a small piece of rainforest in a dry area.
Home to Special Plants
The area around the Limarí River is called its watershed. A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular river. This watershed is home to some very special plants. One of them is the Chilean Wine Palm, also known as Jubaea chilensis.
The Chilean Wine Palm
The Chilean Wine Palm is a type of palm tree that is very old and unique. Long ago, these palms grew in many more places across central Chile. However, today they are considered an endangered species. This means there are not many left, and they are at risk of disappearing forever.
Why the Palm is Threatened
The main reason the Chilean Wine Palm is in danger is because of the growing human population in central Chile. As more people move into the area, they need more land for homes, farms, and cities. This often means that the natural habitats of plants like the Chilean Wine Palm are destroyed or changed. Protecting the Limarí River's watershed helps to protect these rare and important trees.
See also
In Spanish: Río Limarí para niños
