List of rivers of Bolivia facts for kids
Bolivia is a country in South America with many important rivers. These rivers are like natural highways, helping people travel and transport goods. They also provide water for farms and homes, and are home to lots of different plants and animals.
Most of Bolivia's rivers flow into one of two very large river systems: the Amazon Basin or the La Plata Basin. Some rivers also flow into the Pacific Ocean, and a few others stay within Bolivia in special areas called "endorheic basins." This means their water doesn't reach the ocean.
Contents
Where Rivers Flow
Rivers are grouped by where their water eventually ends up. This is called a drainage basin. Think of it like a giant funnel where all the rain and smaller streams flow into one big river, which then carries the water to the ocean or a lake. Rivers longer than 644 kilometers (400 miles) are shown in bold.
Rivers That Reach the Ocean
Amazon Basin Rivers
The Amazon Basin is the largest river system in the world. Many of Bolivia's rivers flow into it, eventually joining the mighty Amazon River.
- Madeira River
- Abuná River
- Río Negro
- Mapiri River
- Beni River (including Alto Beni)
- Orthon River
- Tahuamanu River
- Mamuripi River
- Madre de Dios River
- Sena River
- Heath River
- Tambopata River
- Madidi River
- Tuichi River
- Kaka River
- Coroico River
- Mapiri River
- Boopi River
- La Paz River
- Orthon River
- Abuná River
- Mamoré River (including Mamorecillo)
- Yata River
- Iténez (Guaporé) River
- Itonomas River (also called San Miguel or San Julián or San Pablo)
- Machupo River
- Parapetí River (this river often ends in a marshy area called the Bañados de Izozog and doesn't always reach the Iténez)
- Río Blanco (also called Baures or Agua Caliente)
- Paraguá River
- Itonomas River (also called San Miguel or San Julián or San Pablo)
- Yacuma River
- Rápulo River
- Apere River
- Isiboro River
- Sécure River
- Tayota River
- Río Grande (also called Guapay)
- Chapare River
- Ichilo River (including Alto Ichilo)
- Purus River (flows mostly in Brazil)
La Plata Basin Rivers
The La Plata Basin is another huge river system in South America. Rivers here flow towards the Paraná River and then into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Paraná River (flows mostly in Argentina)
* Tarija River ** Guadalquivir River
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- Pilcomayo River
- Pilaya River
- Pilcomayo River
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* San Juan del Oro River ** Tupiza River ** Tumusla River *** Yura River *** Cotagaita River
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- Parapetí River (this river often ends in the Bañados de Izozog depression and doesn't always reach the Paraguay River)
- Bamburral River (also called Negro)
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Pacific Ocean Rivers
A few rivers in Bolivia flow west towards the Pacific Ocean.
- Loa River (flows mostly in Chile)
- San Pedro de Inacaliri River (flows mostly in Chile)
Rivers That Stay in Bolivia
Some rivers in Bolivia flow into lakes or salt flats in the high plateau region called the Altiplano. Their water doesn't reach the ocean because it either evaporates or sinks into the ground. These are called endorheic basins.
Lake Poopó Basin
- Desaguadero River (This river flows out of Lake Titicaca and into Poopó Lake.)
- Márquez River
Lake Coipasa Basin
This basin leads to Lake Coipasa, which is a large salt flat.
- Laq'a Jawira
- Lauca River
- Sajama River
- Sabaya River
Salar de Uyuni Basin
This basin leads to the famous Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat.
- Puka Mayu
- Río Grande de Lipez
- Río Colorado
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos de Bolivia para niños
