Taraíra River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taraira River or Traíra River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Colombia – Brazil |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Apaporis River 1°04′08″S 69°25′59″W / 1.0689°S 69.4331°W |
| Length | 160 km (99 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Apaporis River → Japurá River or Caquetá River → Amazon River |
The Taraira River, also known as Traíra, is a river that forms part of the border between Colombia and Brazil. It is an important part of the huge Amazon River system.
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Where the Taraira River Flows
The Taraira River is a smaller river, called a tributary, that flows into the Apaporis River. The Apaporis River then joins the Japurá River (also known as the Caquetá River) in South America. The Japurá River eventually flows into the mighty Amazon River.
The entire Taraira River acts as a natural border. It separates the Amazonas state in Brazil from the Vaupés Department in Colombia. The Taraira River flows into the Apaporis River right on this border. This meeting point is about 40 km (25 mi) from a Brazilian town called Vila Bittencourt.
Right in front of Vila Bittencourt, the Apaporis River then empties its waters into the Japurá River (or Caquetá River).
West Side of the River
On the west side of the Taraira or Traíra River, you'll find the Colombian municipality of Taraira (Vaupés). This area includes the Taraira Airport and a beautiful body of water called the Taraira Lagoon.
Taraira Lagoon
The Taraira Lagoon is a large lake in Colombia. It's located at the southeast end of the Vaupés department, right on the border with Brazil. This lagoon is part of the Taraira municipality and is close to both the Apaporis and Taraira rivers.
The lagoon covers about 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) of space. It's also known by other names like Lake Caparú or Mosiro Itájura. The Taraira Lagoon is actually an old meander of the Apaporis River. A meander is a bend or loop in a river that gets cut off over time, forming a separate lake.
East Side of the River
To the east of the Taraira River, you'll find an area that belongs to the Brazilian municipality of Japurá.
See Also
