Madre de Dios River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Madre de Dios River
Madre de Dios near Boca Manú town, Peru
The Amazon Basin with the Madre de Dios River highlighted
Country	Bolivia, Peru
Physical characteristics
Main source	Cordillera Vilcanota, Peru 12°53′17.0808″S 71°21′36.1944″W / 12.888078000°S 71.360054000°W / -12.888078000; -71.360054000
River mouth	Madeira River Villa Bella, Beni, Bolivia 105 m (344 ft) 10°22′53.1156″S 65°23′28.9968″W / 10.381421000°S 65.391388000°W / -10.381421000; -65.391388000
Length	1,347 km (837 mi)
Discharge (location 2)	Location: Miraflores-El Sena Minimum rate: 2,250 m3/s (79,000 cu ft/s) Average rate: (Period: 1985-2013)5,800 m3/s (200,000 cu ft/s) Maximum rate: 10,300 m3/s (360,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River system	Madeira
Basin size	281,000 km2 (108,000 sq mi) to 310,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi)
Tributaries	Left: Manú, Los Amigos, Las Piedras, Orthon Right: Chivile, Azul, Colorado, Inambari, Tambopata, Heath, Beni

The Madre de Dios River is a long river in South America. It flows through parts of Bolivia and Peru. The river is named after the region in Peru that it passes through. In Bolivia, the Madre de Dios River joins with the Beni River. Later, it meets the Mamore River to form the Madeira River. The Madeira River is a very important branch of the mighty Amazon River.

The Madre de Dios River is a key waterway for the Madre de Dios Region in Peru. It is especially important for Puerto Maldonado, which is the biggest town and capital of the region. Many activities happen along the river's banks. People grow Mangos and search for gold. Other important jobs include cutting down trees and farming. These activities can sometimes cause problems for the environment. Along the river, you can find several special protected areas. These include Tambopata-Candamo National Park, Manú National Park, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park.

Exploring the River's Path and Branches

The upper Madre de Dios River and its main branches upstream from Puerto Maldonado

The Madre de Dios River is like a giant funnel for water in its area. It collects water from a huge space, making it a big part of the massive Amazon River system. Think of it as a main highway for water, with many smaller roads joining it.

Where Does the Water Come From?

The river gets its water from many smaller rivers that flow into it. These smaller rivers are called tributaries. On the right side of the Madre de Dios, rivers like Chivile, Azul, Blanco, Inambari, Tambopata, and Colorado join in. On the left side, you'll find rivers such as Los Amigos, Manú, and Las Piedras adding their water.

The Alto Madre de Dios River from the Fundo Mascoitania Reserve

Protecting the Madre de Dios River

The areas around the Madre de Dios River are home to amazing plants and animals. Because of this, several national parks and reserves have been created. These parks help protect the unique nature and wildlife. They are important places for scientists to study and for people to visit and learn about the rainforest.

However, some human activities, like gold mining and cutting down trees, can harm the river and its surroundings. It's important to find ways to use the river's resources without damaging its natural beauty and the homes of its wildlife.

See also

In Spanish: Río Madre de Dios para niños