Tornagaleones River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tornagaleones River |
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| Country | Chile |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Futa River, Naguilan River |
| River mouth | Tornagaleones River and Valdivia River ~0 m (0 ft) |
The Tornagaleones River (called Río Tornagaleones in Spanish) is a special waterway in the Los Ríos Region of Chile. It is both a river and a channel where river water mixes with ocean water.
This river, along with the Valdivia River and the Futa River, surrounds a piece of land called Isla del Rey. This land is a "fluvial island," meaning it's an island found in a river.
The fresh water in the Tornagaleones River comes from the Futa, Naguilán, and Valdivia rivers. When the ocean tide is high, salty water from Corral Bay flows into the channel. This mix of fresh and salty water is called "brackish water."
What Does Tornagaleones Mean?
The name "Tornagaleones" has a cool meaning. It literally means "turn around galleons." A galleon was a large, old sailing ship.
The river got its name because it was very useful for ships. It allowed them to turn around easily. This way, they could point their front part (called the bow) towards the Pacific Ocean. This made it easier for them to sail out to sea.
A Shipwreck in 1643
In August 1643, something important happened on the Tornagaleones River. A group of Dutch explorers were on an adventure called the Dutch expedition to Valdivia.
One of their ships got stuck on a shallow, rocky area in the river. This rocky spot was part of something called the Bahía Mansa Metamorphic Complex. Because the ship was stuck, the Dutch had to take it apart.
See Also
In Spanish: Río Tornagaleones para niños
