Polochic River facts for kids

The Polochic River is a long river in eastern Guatemala. It stretches for about 194-kilometre (121 mi)! This river flows towards the east through a deep valley. Finally, it empties into Lake Izabal.

For many years, the Polochic River was an important way to move goods. People used it to transport things like coffee and timber. Today, most of the commercial transport in the river valley happens by truck instead of by boat.

Discover the Polochic River!

The Polochic River is one of Guatemala's important natural features. It plays a big role in the geography of the country. Understanding this river helps us learn about Guatemala's history and how people lived there.

Where is the Polochic River Located?

The Polochic River is found in the eastern part of Guatemala. It starts in the Alta Verapaz department. From there, it flows through the Izabal department.

The river's journey ends when it flows into Lake Izabal. This lake is the largest in Guatemala. The river enters the lake at a specific point, which you can find on a map at 15°28′00″N 89°22′00″W / 15.46667°N 89.36667°W / 15.46667; -89.36667.

How Long and Deep is the Polochic River?

The Polochic River is about 194 kilometres (121 mi) long. That's a pretty long distance for a river! It flows through a valley that is quite deep.

Parts of the river are easy to travel on by boat. About 30 kilometres (19 mi) of the river is navigable. This means boats can use this section to move around. This navigable part reaches all the way to a town called Panzós.

What Was the River Used For?

In the past, the Polochic River was like a highway. It was very important for moving goods. Farmers and businesses used boats to carry their products.

• Coffee: Guatemala is famous for its coffee. Much of the coffee grown in the region was transported down the river.
• Timber: Trees cut down in the forests were also floated or carried on boats. This timber was used for building and other purposes.

Today, trucks have mostly replaced boats for commercial transport. Roads are now the main way goods are moved in the river valley. However, the river still holds its historical importance.

Rivers That Join the Polochic

Many smaller rivers flow into the Polochic River. These are called tributaries. They add water to the Polochic, making it bigger.

• Rivers joining from the left:
  • Río Papalja
  • Río Tampoma
  • Río Actela
  • Río Boca Nueva
  • Río Secoc
  • Río Cahabón
• Rivers joining from the right:
  • Río Matanzas
  • Rio Jolomjix
  • Rio Chiquito
  • Rio Zarco

These tributaries collect water from a wide area. They help to form the Polochic River's basin.

See also

In Spanish: Río Polochic para niños