Orizaba River facts for kids

The Orizaba River (also known as Río Orizaba in Spanish) is a river that flows through the city of Orizaba in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is a smaller river that flows into the Río Blanco, which crosses the southern part of Orizaba.

Journey of the Orizaba River

The Orizaba River starts from a small natural spring called Ojo de Venado, which means "Deer's Eye." This spring is located at the bottom of a large mountain called Citlaltépetl.

The river flows partly underground for some of its journey. Along the way, it joins up with other small streams. These streams appear on both sides of the river's path. As it continues, the Orizaba River crosses the city of Orizaba from north to south. It then meets the Río Blanco at a place called La Junta.

Orizaba: The City of Bridges

The city of Orizaba is often called "La señora de los puentes," which means "The Woman of the Bridges." This nickname comes from the many bridges built over the Orizaba River. These bridges connect the western and eastern parts of the city.

Famous Orizaba Bridges

Two of the oldest and most well-known bridges are:

• Puente La Borda: This bridge carries a main road called "Avenida Poniente 7" over the river.
• Puente La Beneficencia: This bridge was built a long time ago, in 1838.

Animal Habitats Along the River

To make the river area more interesting for visitors, the city has created special animal habitats. These areas are home to different animals like monkeys, jaguars, deer, and raccoons. In May 2013, a new area for reptiles was added, making the animal park even bigger.

River and Weather

Most of Orizaba's homes are built high above the river. However, sometimes there is a lot of rain. When this happens, the river can flood. This flooding mostly affects the lower parts of the city, especially a street called "Avenida Poniente 18."

See also

In Spanish: Río Orizaba para niños