San Miguel River (Colombia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Miguel River |
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| Native name | Río San Miguel (Spanish) |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Andes Mountains Nariño Department 3,000 m (9,800 ft) |
| River mouth | Putumayo River Puerto El Carmen de Putumayo, Colombia 0°07′05″N 75°52′02″W / 0.11806°N 75.86722°W |
| Length | 295 km (183 mi) |
The San Miguel River (which is Río San Miguel in Spanish) is an important river that flows through two South American countries: Colombia and Ecuador. It's like a watery highway that eventually joins the mighty Amazon River. Think of it as a smaller stream that feeds into a bigger river, which then feeds into an even bigger one!
Contents
Where Does the San Miguel River Start?
The San Miguel River begins high up in the Andes Mountains. These mountains are very tall and stretch across many countries in South America. The river's source is in the southern part of a Colombian area called Nariño Department. This starting point is right on the border between Colombia and Ecuador.
How Does the River Flow?
From its mountain source, the San Miguel River flows towards the east. For a long part of its journey, it acts as a natural boundary, marking the border between Colombia and Ecuador. After flowing along the border, the river then enters Ecuador. Finally, it meets up with the Putumayo River. This meeting point is also right on the border again!
What Happens After the San Miguel Joins the Putumayo?
When the San Miguel River joins the Putumayo River, its waters become part of a much larger system. The Putumayo River is a major branch of the Amazon River. The Amazon is the largest river in the world by the amount of water it carries. So, the water from the San Miguel River eventually travels all the way to the Atlantic Ocean!
River Facts
- The San Miguel River is about 295 kilometers (or 183 miles) long. That's a long journey for a river!
- It starts at an elevation of about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) above sea level. Imagine starting your journey from such a high place!
- The river's mouth, where it joins the Putumayo River, is near a place called Puerto El Carmen de Putumayo in Colombia.
See also
In Spanish: Río San Miguel (Putumayo) para niños
