Rele River facts for kids
The Rele River is a small river located in Santa Juana, a commune in Chile. It starts in the hills south of Santa Juana and flows northeast through the Nahuelbuta Range. Then, it turns east and empties into the Bio Bio River. This happens just before the Bio Bio River meets the Laja River.
The Rele River is about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) long. It does not carry a lot of water.
River Features
The Rele River has a smaller stream that flows into it from the south. This stream is called the Riachuelo Millapoa. It was also known as de las Minas (meaning "of the mines"). This name came from the gold mines that were active along its banks in the 1500s.
Historical Connections
The Rele River has an interesting history. An old city called Santa Cruz de Coya used to be located right on the north bank of the Rele River, near where the Millapoa stream joins it.
Also, at the very end of the Rele River, where it meets the Bio Bio River, there was once an old fort and town. This place was called Monterrey de la Frontera. Today, a smaller town named Monterrey is still located nearby.
What's in a Name?
The name "Rele" comes from the Mapudungun language. This is the language spoken by the Mapuche people, who are native to Chile. The word comes from the verb relen, which means "to face up."
Sources
- Francisco Solano Asta Buruaga y Cienfuegos, Diccionario geográfico de la República de Chile, SEGUNDA EDICIÓN CORREGIDA Y AUMENTADA, NUEVA YORK, D. APPLETON Y COMPAÑÍA. 1899. pg.649 Rele.—Riachuelo
See also
In Spanish: Río Rele para niños
