Sumapaz River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sumapaz River |
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Lake Chisacá, source of the river
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 Source location in Colombia
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| Country | Colombia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Chisacá, Sumapaz Páramo 4,710 m (15,450 ft) 4°16′51″N 74°12′25.4″W / 4.28083°N 74.207056°W |
| River mouth | Ricaurte 289 m (948 ft) 4°15′51″N 74°46′50″W / 4.264257°N 74.780632°W |
| Length | 95 km (59 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Magdalena River Caribbean Sea |
| Basin size | 480 km2 (190 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Sumapaz River (which means Río Sumapaz in Spanish) is an important river in Colombia. It flows into the Magdalena River, which is one of Colombia's biggest rivers. The Sumapaz River is about 95 kilometers (59 miles) long. It starts high up in the Andes mountains, in a special place called the Sumapaz Páramo. This páramo is the largest of its kind in the world! The river gets its name from this amazing place. It also acts as a natural border between two areas in Colombia: Cundinamarca and Tolima.
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Where Does the Sumapaz River Flow?
The Sumapaz River begins in the Sumapaz Páramo, which is a unique high-mountain ecosystem. This páramo is located in the rural part of Bogotá, Colombia's capital city. The river flows through the Cundinamarca Department.
Long ago, the river's lower part was known as the Fusagasugá River. It was much longer, about 200 kilometers (124 miles). Today, the Sumapaz River is formed when two smaller rivers, the Chocho and the Cuja, join together. Many other rivers and streams also flow into the Sumapaz. These include the Gobernador, San Juan, Panches, and more. Most of these smaller rivers also start in the Sumapaz Páramo.
The river passes through several towns. These include Cabrera, Venecia, Pandi, Icononzo, Nilo, Melgar, and Ricaurte. As it flows, it marks the border between the Tolima and Cundinamarca departments.
The River's Journey: From Mountains to Valley
The Sumapaz River can be thought of in three main parts: where it starts (the source), the middle part, and the lower valley.
- The Source: The river begins high up in the Sumapaz Páramo. This páramo is the biggest in the world and is super important because it provides water for many towns in Cundinamarca and Tolima.
- The Middle Part: From its source, the river drops a lot! It goes from about 4,710 meters (15,450 feet) high down to 289 meters (948 feet) above sea level. This creates a powerful flow.
- The Lower Valley: The river then reaches a flatter area around the town of Melgar. From there, it continues its journey until it flows into the Magdalena River in the town of Ricaurte.
Fun Things to Do Along the Sumapaz River
The lower part of the Sumapaz River valley is a popular place for vacations. Towns like Pandi, Melgar, and Ricaurte are favorite spots for people from Bogotá. They come to enjoy the warm weather and the many hotels and tourist attractions.
If you like adventure, you can try river rafting on the Sumapaz. It's a fun way to experience the river's currents.
One special natural spot is the Icononzo natural bridge. It's a beautiful rock formation that looks like a bridge. A famous explorer named Alexander von Humboldt even visited it a long time ago! It was once considered one of the world's most amazing natural wonders.
Images for kids
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Lake Chisacá, source of the river
See Also
