List of rivers of Brazil facts for kids

Map showing the major drainage basins of Brazil.

Brazil is a huge country in South America, and it's famous for its amazing rivers! Rivers are like the veins of the Earth, carrying water across the land. They are super important for many reasons, like providing drinking water, helping with transportation, and creating electricity. Brazil has some of the biggest and most powerful rivers in the world, including the mighty Amazon River.

Why Rivers Are Important in Brazil

Rivers play a huge role in the daily lives of people and the environment in Brazil. They are essential for many things:

• Water for Life: Rivers provide fresh water for drinking, farming, and raising animals. Without them, it would be hard for people and wildlife to survive.
• Transportation: Many parts of Brazil, especially in the Amazon rainforest, don't have many roads. Rivers act like natural highways, allowing boats to carry people and goods between towns and cities.
• Electricity: Brazil uses a lot of hydroelectric power, which means electricity made from the force of moving water. Big dams are built on rivers to create this clean energy.
• Nature and Wildlife: Rivers are home to countless plants and animals, from colorful fish and giant otters to caimans and jaguars that hunt along their banks. They support incredible biodiversity.
• Farming: The fertile lands near rivers are perfect for growing crops. Farmers use river water to irrigate their fields, helping food grow.

Brazil's Major River Systems

Brazil has several large river systems, or "basins," where many smaller rivers flow into one main river. These basins cover vast areas of the country.

The Amazon River Basin

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by water volume, and it's also the longest. It flows through the Amazon rainforest, which is the biggest rainforest on Earth.

• Size: The Amazon River basin is enormous, covering about 40% of South America.
• Tributaries: Many large rivers flow into the Amazon, like the Madeira River, Rio Negro, Tapajós River, and Xingu River. These rivers are huge themselves!
• Wildlife: The Amazon is famous for its incredible wildlife, including pink river dolphins, piranhas, anacondas, and countless species of birds and insects.
• Importance: It's a vital transportation route and a key part of the global climate system.

The Paraná River Basin

The Paraná River is another major river system in Brazil, located in the southern part of the country. It flows south and eventually joins the Uruguay River to form the Río de la Plata estuary.

• Key Rivers: Important rivers in this basin include the Paranaíba River, Grande River, and Iguazu River.
• Iguazu Falls: The Iguazu River is famous for the stunning Iguazu Falls, a series of hundreds of waterfalls that are a major tourist attraction.
• Energy: The Paraná River is very important for generating hydroelectric power, with large dams like the Itaipu Dam, which is one of the biggest in the world.

The São Francisco River Basin

The São Francisco River is one of Brazil's most important rivers, especially for the dry northeastern region. It's often called the "river of national integration."

• Length: It's about 3,180 kilometers (1,976 miles) long.
• Importance: The São Francisco River brings water to areas that don't get much rain, helping with farming and providing water for people.
• History: It has played a big role in Brazil's history and culture, with many towns and cities built along its banks.

Other Important River Basins

Brazil has many other significant rivers and basins:

• Tocantins-Araguaia Basin: This basin includes the Tocantins River and Araguaia River, which are important for transport and agriculture in central Brazil.
• Atlantic East Basin: Many smaller rivers flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean, like the Doce River and Jequitinhonha River. These rivers are important for local communities and industries.

Fun Facts About Brazilian Rivers

• The Amazon River carries so much water that it affects the salinity (saltiness) of the Atlantic Ocean hundreds of kilometers from the coast.
• Some rivers in Brazil, especially in the Amazon, have "floating islands" made of tangled plants and soil.
• Many Brazilian rivers are named after animals, like the Jacaré River (Alligator River) or Onça River (Jaguar River).
• The color of river water can vary greatly in Brazil. The Rio Negro (Black River) has dark, tea-colored water, while other rivers might be muddy brown or clear.

See also

• Geography of Brazil#Rivers and lakes
• List of rivers of the Americas by coastline