Puka Mayu (Potosí) facts for kids

Puka Mayu is a fascinating river located in the country of Bolivia. It's known for its unique name, which means "red river" in the Quechua language. This river flows through a special part of Bolivia called the Potosí Department.

Puka Mayu: Bolivia's Red River

The Puka Mayu river is an important natural feature in the Potosí Department of Bolivia. It is found in the Nor Lípez Province, specifically within the Colcha "K" Municipality.

What Does Puka Mayu Mean?

The name Puka Mayu comes from the Quechua language. In Quechua, the word puka means "red." The word mayu means "river." So, Puka Mayu literally translates to "red river." This name likely describes the color of the water or the surrounding land.

Where Does Puka Mayu Begin and End?

The Puka Mayu river starts its journey in the Cordillera de Lípez. This is a mountain range in Bolivia. From there, the river flows until it reaches its end point.

The river empties into a very famous place called the Uyuni salt flat. This is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The mouth of the Puka Mayu river is located west and southwest of the town of Uyuni. It is also northeast of where another river, the Río Grande de Lípez, flows into the salt flat.