Lakes of Brazil on the map. Rivers and lakes of Brazil

Brazil is geographically located in the subtropical and tropical climate. This explains the abundance of water in its territories. We will present to your attention the largest rivers and lakes in Brazil. We attach a list (in alphabetical order) below.

Amazon.
Parana.
San Francisco.

Lagoa-Mirin.
Patus.
Underground lake.

Rivers of Brazil

The largest rivers and lakes in Brazil are characterized by impressive water volumes and considerable length.

Let's start the description with the most big river countries - Amazon. Researchers who took part in the 1995 expedition found that the river (together with the Apurímac and Ucayali tributaries) is the longest in the world. Its length is 7000 km.

Its depth at the mouth is 100 m. And upstream it is still quite solid. This allows large ocean-going ships to sail along it to the port of Iquitos (Peru). The width of the mouth is about 200 km. It must be said that the river does not flow into the ocean in a single stream, but is broken into branches by numerous islands.

The waters of the Amazon are called white. This is due to the fact that they contain a large number of silt. Near the city of Manuas you can see an interesting phenomenon. Here a tributary, the Rio Negro, flows into the mighty river. In this area, its depth and volume of water give the feeling that it has poured into the Amazon, the waters do not mix for several kilometers and flow in parallel in white and black branches.

Almost all major rivers and lakes in Brazil have interesting flora and fauna. Most of the river is concentrated on the banks of the Amazon existing species. In addition, the river is the “lungs” of the Earth, since its forests produce huge amounts of oxygen.

The largest rivers and lakes in Brazil - Parana, Paranaiba, Rio Grande

The second largest river in the country is the Paraná. It originates in the south of the Brazilian Plateau. Its length is 4880 km.

Paranaiba

This is its right tributary, originating in the mountains of Minas Gerais. Its length is 1000 km. It has a fairly calm flow.

Rio Grande

Left tributary of the river. Its source is in the same state, but in the Mantiqueira mountain range. Length - 1090 km. The upper reaches of the river are different big amount thresholds. This is the result of its passage through a lava plateau. In addition, there are cascading waterfalls. The largest of them is Iguazu, located on the tributary of the same name. This favorite place many tourists coming to Brazil.

Parana has a small coastline, it does not flow into the sea. The river bank is marshy and low. Only in the south is open space, which is called "Campos".

Here are the main tributaries of this river.

The river is navigable. Boats with vacationers who came to these places on an excursion sail along it. Passengers and cargo are not transported along it. Due to the fact that this river is not very deep, large ships are not recommended to navigate it.

The Paraná Valley contains flat plateaus. Serra Uru ui is the largest of them. This is also where National Park Brazil. It is the southwestern border of the state.

San Francisco

Large rivers and lakes in Brazil, the list of which continues with Sao Francisco, are characterized by high water content. Its length is 2900 km. Its source is located at the highest point of the Brazilian Plateau. Descending from it, she passes a large number of rapids.

In its middle reaches, the river is quite calm, as it flows mainly through a wide valley. After the city of Cabrobo, San Francisco carries its waters to Atlantic Ocean through mountain ranges. It passes through a cascade of waterfalls of extraordinary beauty - Paulo Afonso, whose height is 81 m.

San Francisco is in the driest part of the country, so its water levels vary greatly depending on the season. The river is navigable, but not along its entire course.

The large rivers (and lakes) of Brazil, or more precisely its eastern part, are characterized by regime instability. These include Parnaiba and Tocantins. During the dry season, some rivers in the northeast dry up.

Now let's go to the south of the country. There are few rivers here, but they have a constant regime, thanks to the relatively uniform distribution of precipitation throughout the year. This is important for the hydroelectric power plants located here. The most large river in this territory - Zhakuy.

Lakes

As follows from the above, there are very large rivers on the territory of this country. And the lakes of Brazil are distinguished by their considerable size and magnificent landscapes. The country is not very rich in individual lakes. More often they are located in river basins.

Most of Brazil's lakes are located off the Atlantic coast. The largest of them is Lagoa Mirin. It is also the largest in Latin America. The reservoir is located in the south of the country.

It should be noted that the large rivers and lakes of Brazil, photos of which you can see in our article, are surprisingly picturesque. An example of this is this beautiful lagoon lake. It is separated by applied sandstone and a spit of swamps. It connects with another lake - Patus. Here is the rich animal world.

Until recently, Lagoa-Mirin was not very popular among tourists, although today it is very often included in excursion programs. Fishing lovers get special pleasure here.

Patus Lake

Not all large rivers and lakes in Brazil are deep. For example, Lake Patus. It is not connected to the ocean. Its area is 10,000 square kilometers. This is the world's largest shallow lake. It stretches 240 km in length and 48 km in width.

It is separated from it by a sand spit 8 kilometers long. The surroundings of the lake cannot be called deserted. In the northwest is the city of Porto Alegre, which is the capital of the southern Brazilian state.

Today this city is a modern port, a major political, cultural and economic center of the area. Europeans first appeared here at the beginning of the 16th century. They mistakenly thought that Patus was Rio Grande. This misconception persisted for several decades.

The lake was named by the Dutchman Frederik de Wit (1670) when he created maps of this region of the mainland. More precise coordinates of the lake were determined in 1698. A few years later, settlers from the Azores appeared here. It was they who called this territory the Great River of St. Peter.

A city was founded here, which later became the state capital. In those distant times, it was a land with virgin nature. The area around the lake was surrounded by endless dense forests with rich wildlife.

The peculiarity of the lake is that its water level constantly fluctuates. This phenomenon is caused by river runoff. In these places, river levels largely depend on the amount of precipitation.

In the vicinity of Patus, coal is mined and soil irrigation is carried out. In turn, this led to what had Negative influence to the entire ecology around the island.

underground lake

It is difficult to describe the major rivers and lakes of Brazil briefly. They are all very interesting. For example, unique natural object- Gruta do Lago Azur. The name can be translated as “blue lake”.

It was discovered in the early 20s of the last century by local Indians. Having descended 100 meters to the bottom of the cave, they discovered a lake whose depth reached 90 m.

Today, scientists believe that this is one of the most flooded voids underground. Most of the cave is occupied by the lake. The water in it is clean and has a bright blue tint. This is an ideal place for diving - the amazing clarity of the water makes it possible to observe the life of the underwater kingdom.

No less interesting are the lakes located in Lenções Maranhensens (national park). This is no ordinary desert. During the rainy season, water appears here, which forms many freshwater lakes. No one knows where a lot of fish, crabs and other marine life immediately appear in them. There is a version that the eggs are carried by birds from the sea coast.

The rainy season here lasts four months (March to June). At this time, nomadic Indians come here and enjoy fishing. After the rains stop, the lakes dry up, and the Indians go to work in neighboring villages.

Brazil is rich natural resources. The main one is considered fresh water. Although the country's salt lakes also have great importance. What rivers and reservoirs are considered the largest in Brazil?

Large rivers of Brazil

Brazil has three large waterways of interest for human use. Amazon, Parana and San Francisco. These rivers have a large water area, are endowed with enormous water resources, and also have sufficient power for the construction of hydroelectric power stations on them. In addition, the navigable importance of rivers is difficult to underestimate, because they connect many port cities with each other.

Queen of Rivers

It’s not for nothing that the Amazon is called the Queen of Rivers in Brazil. This river not only breaks records for its length, but is also the largest in area on the entire globe.

In the language of local tribes, the Amazon sounds like “Paranto-Tingo”. This is the name water artery received from the conquistadors of Spain, who fought on the banks of the river with the local population. The Spaniards were stunned that women from Indian tribes fought equally with men. For this they called them Amazons, and also named the river in honor of these women..

Together with the vast tributaries of the Ucayali and Apurimac, the Queen of Rivers has a length of 7,000 km. The Amazon is considered a navigable water area. Its mouth is 100 meters deep. Passable sections of the river are endowed with a depth of 20 meters, which allows ships to safely navigate some of its sections.

The river carries its waters to the ocean, breaking into small streams. Thanks to the silt that the turbulent stream raises from the bottom, many parts of the Amazon appear white. In contrast, a tributary of the Rio Negro is a “black” river, considered as such due to the dark silt and sand found at the bottom.

The Amazon gives life to millions of plants, trees, fish and microorganisms. Animals from Brazilian forests go to her to drink. The water of the Queen of Rivers nourishes the forests of Brazil, allowing the “lungs” of the planet to breathe at full capacity.

Parana

Another significant river in Brazilian lands is the Paraná. The second-ranked river in the country begins on the southern plateau. In the upper part of the Parana there are multiple rapids formed there by a lava plateau.

Iguazu Falls owes its existence to Parana.

The delta of the water artery is 50 meters wide. On the approach to the ocean, the river seems to calm down, and already sedately carries its waters to the exit into the salty abyss.

The Paraná runs through the entire Laplata lowland. The river's waters are cleaner and slower than those of the Amazon. The length of this water area is 2600 km.

San Francisco

The length of Sao Francisco is 2900 km. This river also originates at the foot of the Brazilian plateau. Thus, São Francisco is formed by many rapids.

Before entering the Atlantic, the waterway passes several waterfalls, one of which is the beautiful natural site of Paulo Afonso. The height of this waterfall is 80 meters. Excursions are regularly organized there.

This river has several navigable sections. There are places along the stream where the San Francisco becomes very shallow. The thing is that the river is located in an arid region of Brazil. The water level in it directly depends on the season.

Large lakes of Brazil

The state cannot boast huge number lakes Reservoirs in Brazilian lands are located near Atlantic coast. Some of them are located in the central part of the country. The location of the lakes is determined by the flow of underwater waters and the influence of the ocean on them.

Patus

The most big lake The Brazilian state is separated from the Atlantic by 20 kilometers of sand ridge. Nature has endowed the shallow reservoir with an unstable water level.

The area of Patus is 10 thousand square meters. km. The length of the reservoir varies around 240 meters.

The lake got its name thanks to the cartographer and explorer Frederic de Wit. On the banks of the Patus is the city of Porto Alegre. The highlight of the lake is the water level. This level fluctuates continuously due to runoff and evaporation of water from the surface of the lake. This reservoir contains a lot of fish and other lake inhabitants.

underground lake

At a depth of 100 meters on Brazilian territory it is possible to find the so-called “blue” lake or Gruta do Lago Azur. The depth of the underground reservoir is 90 meters. The Indians can be considered the discoverers of the lake.

The first mention of the lake dates back to 1920.

Today, the underground reservoir has become a tourist attraction. IN clean waters Amateurs and professionals engage in diving in the lake, descending to great depths there.

Lenções Maranjensens

Brazilian lakes national park formed in the desert during the rainy season. It still remains a mystery where fish and other underwater organisms come from in these lakes. Locals think that birds carry the eggs to water bodies. The lakes exist from March to June. Until their waters dry up, the local population fishes in them.

Jalapau

In the state of Tocantis in the territory national reserve There are small bubbling ponds in Jalapau. Oases in the middle of the desert feed groundwater. Coming to the surface, the water mixes with white sand. That is why the waters of the Jalapau lakes are so white and dense. It is believed that a person or animal cannot drown in these lakes, since the density of water with sand grains there is quite high.

The rivers and lakes of Brazil form a rather complex ecosystem on the territory of the state. Many of the listed water areas are included in the country’s tourist routes. The beauty of local reservoirs is unique and extraordinary. Many tourists flock to the waters of Brazil to enjoy the spectacle of waterfalls, seething streams and the calm surface of reservoirs.

The Amazon is formed outside of Brazil by the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers and has a length of 6,400 km from the source of the Marañon, and more than 7,000 km from the source of the Ucayali. Its length within the country is 3165 km. The area of the Amazon basin in Brazil is about 4.8 million square meters. km (almost 60% total area pool). The width of its channel on the border with Peru is more than 1.5 km, in the middle reaches, near the city of Manaus - 5 km, in the lower reaches - up to 20 km, and at the mouth reaches 80-150 km. The depth of the river in the middle reaches is about 70 m, near the city of Obidus - 135 m, at the mouth - from 15 to 45 m. Numerous tributaries flow into the Amazon. The largest right tributaries are the Purus (3 thousand km), Jurua, Tapajos and Xingu (each about 2 thousand km long), Madeira (about 1.5 thousand km). Large left tributaries - Rio Negro (more than 1.5 thousand km), Japura, Isa.

The Amazon mode is complex and varied. Due to the fact that its tributaries are located in different hemispheres, floods occur on them different time: on the right - from October to April (summer season in southern hemisphere), on the left - from April to October (summer season in the northern hemisphere), and seasonal fluctuations in flow in the Amazon are smoothed out. The average water flow in the lower reaches is about 220 thousand cubic meters. m/sec. The average annual flow of the river is approximately 7,000 cubic meters. km - about 15% of the annual flow of all rivers on Earth. The Amazon carries an average of more than 1 billion tons of sediment per year. Its muddy yellow waters are visible in the ocean up to 300 km from the coast. The regime of the river is also influenced by sea tidal waves, which the Tupi Indians called “amazunu”, hence the name of the river. These waves reach 5 m in height and travel up the river for 1400 km, flooding the low floodplains of the Igapo. The Amazon has significant energy potential (about 280 million kW), which is extremely underutilized.

Second largest river South America-- Parana -- irrigates the south and southwest of Brazil (more than 1/10 of its territory). The main tributaries of the Paraná are the Paraguay, Tieteux, Iguazu, and Paranapanema. There are many rapids and waterfalls on the Parana and its tributaries. The largest of the waterfalls are: Iguazu (height about 80 m), located on the left tributary of the same name, and the cascade of waterfalls Seti-Kedas (Guaira) (33 m) on Parana. Paraná accounts for 57% of Brazil's vast hydroelectric potential, estimated at 79.4 billion kW. The eastern part of the country belongs to the basin of the San Francisco River (more than 2900 km long), in the lower reaches of which there is a cascade of Paulo Afonso waterfalls with a total height of 84 m. The rivers are characterized by sharp fluctuations in water flow. Other significant rivers in this area are Pa-raiba, Paraguaçu, Jequitinbna, etc. All of them are full-flowing, fast-moving and have great hydropower potential.

The largest rivers in the northeast of Brazil - Tocantins and Parnaiba - have rapids and are characterized by instability of the regime, which is also typical for other rivers in the region. During the dry season, some of them dry out. The rivers of the southeast are few in number and have the most stable regime, which is explained by the relatively uniform distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The constant flow of these rivers is very important for generating hydroelectric power. The largest river is Zhakuy.

There are relatively few lakes in Brazil. These are mainly lagoon lakes and floodplain oxbow lakes, widespread in the Amazon floodplain. The largest of the lagoon lakes are the shallow lakes Patus (area exceeding 10 thousand sq. km) and Lagoa Mirin, connected by a channel.

Located in two climatic zones: tropical and subtropical. This is precisely what explains such a huge number of rivers and lakes located on its territory. At the same time, the rivers of Brazil are particularly full of water.

Amazon river

Amazon is the most big river countries. Locals sometimes call her "Paranto-Tingo", which means "queen of rivers". But the river was named Amazon by the conquistadors, who were struck by the masculinity of Indian women who fought on an equal basis with men.

The Amazon is not only the largest river in Brazil. It also has the largest water pool. During the 1995 expedition, scientists calculated the total length of the channel, including the main tributaries - the Ucayali and Apurimac. And this figure reached a record 7,000 kilometers.

The depth of the mouth of the Amazon reaches 100 meters, and the width is 200 kilometers. But it is worth considering that the Amazon does not flow into the waters of the ocean in a single stream. It has a well-branched delta with numerous branches.

The waters of the Amazon have a characteristic White color. This is explained by the fact that the river carries a huge amount of silt. The flow of the Amazon near the town of Manuas looks especially unusual. Here the river is joined by one of its major tributaries- Rio Negro. And unlike the main stream, the waters of the Rio Negro have brown pigmentation. And these two rivers for a long time So they flow side by side in two branches - black and white.

Parana River

Another large river flowing through the territory of three countries - Brazil, and. The total length of the channel is 4380 kilometers. The source is the bay (Atlantic, near Buenos Aires).

In its lower reaches it is navigable and can even accommodate sea vessels. middle part The rivers are the natural border between Paraguay and Argentina. The waters of the Paraná are home to 355 various types fish, including two species predatory piranhas.

Araguaia River

The river from source to mouth is entirely within Brazilian territory. Its total length is 2630 kilometers. The source is the Brazilian plateau.

In its middle course, the river forms two branches that form the largest river island, Bananal. Its total length reaches 300 kilometers. The lower course of the river is rapid. That is why Araguaia is navigable only in the middle reaches (1300 kilometers).

Tocantis River

The total length of Tocantis is 2850 kilometers and it also passes only through the territory of Brazil, passing through the states of Goiás, Tocantis and Maranhão.

The source of the river is the confluence of the Maranhas and Almas water streams (the eastern slopes of the Serra Dorado mountains). In the upper reaches of Tocantis - typical mountain river with numerous rapids. And only after reaching the plain it expands and becomes calm.

Brazil's river network is very dense and rich in water. From west to east, the country is crossed by the deepest and largest river in the world in terms of basin size - the Amazon, which irrigates the northern regions of the country. It is formed outside of Brazil by the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers and has a length of 6,400 km from the source of the Marañon, and more than 7,000 km from the source of the Ucayali. Its length within the country is 3165 km. The area of the Amazon basin in Brazil is about 4.8 million square meters. km (almost 60% of the total basin area). The width of its channel on the border with Peru is more than 1.5 km, in the middle reaches, near the city of Manaus - 5 km, in the lower reaches - up to 20 km, and at the mouth reaches 80-150 km. The depth of the river in the middle reaches is about 70 m, near the city of Obidus - 135 m, at the mouth - from 15 to 45 m.

Numerous tributaries flow into the Amazon. The largest right tributaries are the Purus (3 thousand km), Jurua, Tapajos and Xingu (the length of each is about 2 thousand km), Madeira (about 1.5 thousand km). Large left tributaries are the Rio Negru (more than 1.5 thousand km), Zhapura, Isa. The Amazon mode is complex and varied. Due to the fact that its tributaries are located in different hemispheres, floods occur on them at different times: on the right - from October to April (summer season in the southern hemisphere), on the left - from April to October (summer season in the northern hemisphere) , and seasonal fluctuations in flow in the Amazon are smoothed out. The average water flow in the lower reaches is about 220 thousand cubic meters. m/sec. The average annual flow of the river is approximately 7,000 cubic meters. km - about 15% of the annual flow of all rivers on Earth. The Amazon carries an average of more than 1 billion tons of sediment per year. Its muddy yellow waters are visible in the ocean up to 300 km from the coast. The regime of the river is also influenced by sea tidal waves, which the Tupi Indians called “amazunu”, hence the name of the river. These waves reach 5 m in height and travel up the river for 1400 km, flooding the low floodplains of the Igapo. The Amazon has significant energy potential (about 280 million kW), which is extremely underutilized.

The second largest river in South America, the Paraná, irrigates the south and southwest of Brazil (more than 1/10 of its territory). The main tributaries of the Paraná are the Paraguay, Tieteux, Iguazu, and Paranapanema. There are many rapids and waterfalls on the Parana and its tributaries. The largest of the waterfalls are: Iguazu (height about 80 m), located on the left tributary of the same name, and the cascade of waterfalls Seti-Kedas (Guaira) (33 m) on Parana. Paraná accounts for 57% of Brazil's vast hydroelectric potential, estimated at 79.4 billion kW. The eastern part of the country belongs to the basin of the San Francisco River (more than 2900 km long), in the lower reaches of which there is a cascade of Paulo Afonso waterfalls with a total height of 84 m. The rivers are characterized by sharp fluctuations in water flow. Other significant rivers in this area are Pa-raiba, Paraguaçu, Jequitinbna, etc. All of them are full-flowing, fast-moving and have great hydroelectric potential.

The largest rivers in the northeast of Brazil - Tocantins and Parnaiba - have rapids and are characterized by variable regime, which is also typical for other rivers in the region. During the dry season, some of them dry out. The rivers of the southeast are few in number and have the most stable regime, which is explained by the relatively uniform distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The constant flow of these rivers is very important for generating hydroelectric power. The largest river is Zhakuy.