Pamplonita River facts for kids
The Pamplonita River is a very important river in Colombia. It flows through the city of Cúcuta and is one of the most well-known rivers in the Norte de Santander Department. This river has played a big role in the history and daily life of the people living nearby.
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A River's Journey
The Pamplonita River starts high up in the mountains! It begins about 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) (that's over 9,800 feet) above sea level. Its journey starts near the town of Pamplona, in an area called Altogrande and the Fontibón desert.
From Mountains to Plains
As the river flows, it travels down through the Cariongo valley. It then passes through a large opening near Pamplona and heads northwest. When it reaches the area near Chinácota, it gets more water from the Honda gorge. The river keeps flowing downhill until it reaches the valley where Cúcuta is located.
Joining Other Rivers
After passing through Cúcuta, the Pamplonita River joins with the Táchira River. Together, these rivers flow into the powerful Zulia River. Finally, the Zulia River carries all this water into the large Lake Maracaibo. Most of the Pamplonita River's path is about 150 meters (around 490 feet) above sea level.
The River's Basin
A river basin is like a giant bowl that collects all the rain and snowmelt that eventually flows into a river. The Pamplonita River's basin is located in the eastern mountain range of Colombia. It stretches across the southwest part of Norte de Santander, from Pamplona all the way to Puerto Santander.
History and Importance
For a long time, the Pamplonita River was like a busy highway! In the 1700s and 1800s, people used it to transport cacao beans. Cacao was super important back then, like gold, and helped the region's economy grow.
Protecting the River
People care a lot about the Pamplonita River. In the 1960s, the World Health Organization (WHO) worked with local health officials. Their goal was to help bring clean water to the people living near Pamplona.
Today, there's a group called "Amigos del Río" (which means "River Friends"). This group works hard to help the Pamplonita River in Cúcuta. They want to make the river healthier and better for everyone.
See also
In Spanish: Río Pamplonita para niños
