Mataje River facts for kids

The Mataje River is a river in South America. It flows towards the Pacific Ocean, which is a huge body of water. For about half of its journey, this river forms the natural border between the countries of Colombia and Ecuador.

The Mataje River eventually flows into a place called the bay of Ancón de Sardinas. This bay is also where the official water border between Colombia and Ecuador begins in the ocean.

Where is the Mataje River?

The Mataje River is located in the northwestern part of South America. It starts in the mountains or hills and flows west towards the Pacific Ocean. Rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean are often called part of the "Pacific slope." This means the land slopes down towards the Pacific.

A Natural Border

One of the most important things about the Mataje River is its role as a border. For a long stretch, the river acts like a natural line separating Colombia and Ecuador. Rivers often make good borders because they are clear geographical features. This helps define where one country ends and another begins.

Flowing to the Pacific

The river's journey ends when it reaches the Pacific Ocean. It empties into a specific area known as the Ancón de Sardinas bay. A bay is a part of the ocean that is partly enclosed by land. This bay is not just the end of the river; it's also the starting point for the maritime, or sea, border between Colombia and Ecuador. This means the official boundary between the two countries continues out into the ocean from this spot.

See also

In Spanish: Río Mataje para niños