River Ocoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ocoa |
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| River | |
| Country | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|
| Provinces | San José de Ocoa, Peravia, Azua |
| Municipalities | San José de Ocoa, Baní, Las Charcas |
| Tributaries | |
| - left | El Canal, Arroyo Parra |
| - right | Banilejo |
| Cities | San José de Ocoa, Sabana Buey, Villa Fundación |
| Source | |
| - location | La Chorreosa, Valle Nuevo, Dominican Republic |
| - elevation | 2,270 m (7,448 ft) |
| Mouth | Ocoa Bay |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| - coordinates | 18°16′51″N 70°35′30″W / 18.28083°N 70.59167°W |
| Length | 68 km (42 mi) |
| Basin | 745 km² (288 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| - average | 4.25 m³/s (150 cu ft/s) |
The Ocoa River is an important river in the Dominican Republic. It flows through the southern part of the Cordillera Central mountain range. This river is about 68 kilometers (42 miles) long. It mostly flows through mountains, but near its end, it reaches the Caribbean Sea.
Contents
What Does "Ocoa" Mean?
The name "Ocoa" comes from the Taíno language. The Taíno people were the first inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. In their language, "Ocoa" means "a place with mountains." The word coa meant "place," and o sometimes meant "mountain."
Where Does the Ocoa River Start and End?
The source of the Ocoa River is high up in the mountains. It begins at a place called La Chorreosa mountain, also known as La Chorriosa. This mountain is on the eastern side of Valle Nuevo, which is part of the Cordillera Central.
The river flows through the San José de Ocoa province. After that, it helps form the border between the Azua and Peravia provinces. The Ocoa River finally empties into the Caribbean Sea. It flows into the eastern part of Ocoa Bay.
How is the Ocoa River Used?
Several important towns are located near the Ocoa River. The city of San José de Ocoa is the largest city close to the river. Other towns include Las Carreras, Sabana Buey, and Villa Fundación in the Peravia province. Palmar de Ocoa in the Azua province is also near the river's mouth.
The water from the Ocoa River is very important for these towns. It is mainly used for irrigation, which means watering crops in fields. However, the river water is not usually used for drinking water in homes. This is because it often carries a lot of solid materials. This happens because there are not many trees on the mountainsides, which means more soil washes into the river.
Important Rivers Joining the Ocoa
Rivers that flow into a larger river are called tributaries. The most important tributaries of the Ocoa River are Banilejo, Canal, and Arroyo Parra. These smaller rivers join the Ocoa in its higher, mountainous parts. There are no major tributaries that join the Ocoa River closer to its mouth.
The Ocoa River's Place in History
The Ocoa River has played a role in the history of the Dominican Republic.
The Sugar Cane Story
In the 1500s, people grew sugar cane near the mouth of the Ocoa River. They used the sugar cane to make sugar. This was an important industry at that time.
A Famous Battle by the River
In April 1849, a very important battle took place near the Ocoa River. This battle was called the Battle of Las Carreras. It happened during the Dominican-Haitian War. The fighting occurred on the western side of the river, in a place called Las Carreras. This spot is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from where the river meets the sea. The Dominican army won this battle against the Haitian army.
