Pasión River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pasión River |
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Car ferry crossing Río la Pasión at Sayaxché (1994)
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| Country | Guatemala |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Río Santa Isabel o Cancuen Petén Department, Guatemala 200 m (660 ft) 15°59′25″N 89°58′53″W / 15.990152°N 89.981320°W |
| River mouth | Usumacinta River Esperanza 16°28′51″N 90°32′35″W / 16.480881°N 90.543095°W |
| Length | 353.9 km (219.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 12,156 km2 (4,693 sq mi) |
The Pasión River (also known as Río de la Pasión in Spanish) is an important river in the northern part of Guatemala. It starts from smaller streams in the hills of Alta Verapaz. These streams flow north to form the Pasión River.
Then, the Pasión River turns west. It joins another river called the Salinas River. When these two rivers meet, they form the much larger Usumacinta River. The Usumacinta River then flows north all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the main rivers that flow into the Pasión River are the San Juan River, the Machaquila River, and the Cancuén River.
Contents
The Pasión River: A Journey Through Guatemala
The Pasión River and its connecting streams create a large water system. This system covers an area of over 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi). It acts like a giant funnel, collecting water for a big part of western Petén, which is a department (like a state) in Guatemala. This whole area is called a watershed.
Ancient Maya Cities Along the River
The area around the Pasión River is very special for history. It's known as an important archaeological region. Many ancient cities of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization were built here. These Maya cities often shared similar styles in their buildings and writing.
Some of the famous Maya cities found along the Pasión River include Dos Pilas, Tamarindito, Altar de Sacrificios, Aguateca, Seibal, and Machaquila. These places were important centers for Maya ceremonies and daily life long ago.
Protecting the River: A Pollution Story
In June 2015, people living near the Pasión River noticed something worrying. Many dead fish were floating in the water. This was a sign that something was wrong with the river's health.
Authorities in Guatemala investigated the issue. They looked at a company that grows palm oil in the area, called "Reforestadora de Palmas de Petén, S.A." (REPSA). They found traces of a substance in the company's water that flowed into the river. The company said that heavy rain caused their water treatment areas to overflow into the river.
The pollution spread far downstream, affecting over 105 kilometres (65 mi) of the river. There was also a concern that the pollution might have reached the Usumacinta River, which flows into Mexico. This event showed how important it is to protect our rivers from pollution.
See also
- Petexbatún
- In Spanish: Río La Pasión para niños
