Tagus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tagus River |
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| Tajo, Tejo | |
| River | |
 View of Tagus River in Toledo, Spain
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| Countries | Spain, Portugal |
|---|---|
| Tributaries | |
| - left | Guadiela, Algodor, Gévalo, Ibor, Almonte, Salor, Sever |
| - right | Gallo, Jarama, Guadarrama, Alberche, Tiétar, Alagón, Zêzere |
| Source | Fuente de García |
| - location | Montes Universales, Sierra de Albarracín Comarca, Teruel, Aragon, Spain |
| - elevation | 1,593 m (5,226 ft) |
| Mouth | Estuary of the Tagus |
| - location | Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon, Portugal |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 1,007 km (626 mi) |
| Basin | 80,100 km² (30,927 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| - average | 500 m³/s (17,657 cu ft/s) |
The Tagus River is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is known as Tajo in Spain and Tejo in Portugal. Long ago, the Ancient Greeks called it Tagos.
Contents
Journey of the Tagus River
The Tagus River is about 1,007 kilometers (626 miles) long. Most of it, 716 km (445 mi), flows through Spain. The rest, 275 km (171 mi), is in Portugal. For 47 km (29 mi), the river forms the border between these two countries. Finally, the Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.
Where the River Starts
The Tagus River begins in a place called Fuente de García. This spot is in the Montes Universales mountains in Spain. It is part of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range. The river's source is located in the Sierra de Albarracín Comarca region.
River Basin and Its Importance
The Tagus River drains a huge area of land, about 80,100 square kilometers (30,900 sq mi). This is the second largest river basin on the Iberian Peninsula. The river is very important for the people living nearby.
Many dams have been built along the Tagus. These dams help to provide drinking water for central Spain, including the big city of Madrid. They also supply water to parts of Portugal.
Power and Flooding
Besides water supply, dozens of hydroelectric stations use the river's flow to create electricity. This clean energy helps power homes and businesses.
Between the dams, the river flows through narrow areas. But after a place called Castle of Almourol, it enters a wide, flat valley. This area is known as an alluvial valley. It can flood easily, especially after heavy rains.
The River's Mouth
At the end of its journey, the Tagus forms a large estuary. An estuary is where the river meets the sea. The important port city of Lisbon is located on this estuary.
Cities Along the Tagus
The Tagus River passes through several major cities. In Spain, these include Aranjuez, Toledo, Talavera de la Reina, and Alcántara. As it flows into Portugal, it goes past Abrantes, Santarém, Almada, and Lisbon.
Images for kids
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Tagus river gorge, in the Alto Tajo Nature Reserve, Guadalajara, Spain
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Confluence of the Guadarrama and Tagus rivers
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Tagus river seen from the Castle of Almourol (Portugal)
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See also
In Spanish: Tajo para niños
