Orinoco
Major South American river with vast basin and rich biodiversity.
The Orinoco and its tributaries form the major transportation system for eastern and interior Venezuela and the Llanos plain of Colombia, and its basin is noted for extremely diverse environment and wildlife.
- main_tributary
- Guaviare River
- countries
- Venezuela (65% of basin), Colombia (35% of basin)
Lore & Background
The Orinoco's name derives from the Warao term for 'a place to paddle,' from güiri (paddle) and noko (place).
Reader's Guide
The Orinoco River is significant as a major transportation artery and a source of economic activity, including iron ore mining near the delta and tar sands in the Orinoco oil belt. Its course is divided into four stretches: Upper, Middle, Lower, and the Delta Amacuro, which empties into the Gulf of Paria and the Atlantic Ocean. The river is navigable for most of its length, with ocean ships reaching Ciudad Bolívar. The Casiquiare canal forms a natural connection between the Orinoco and the Amazon River system. The basin hosts over 1,000 fish species, including the black spot piranha and cardinal tetra, and rare species like the Orinoco crocodile. The river's environment and wildlife are extremely diverse, and it supports recreational events such as the Internacional Rally Nuestros Rios son Navegables and the Paso a Nado Internacional de los Rios Orinoco–Caroní.
Did You Know?
- The Orinoco is the third largest river in the world by discharge volume of water.
- The Casiquiare canal is a distributary that connects the Orinoco to the Amazon River via the Rio Negro.
- More than 1,000 fish species have been recorded in the Orinoco basin, with about 15% endemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orinoco's role in the region?
The river and its network of tributaries serve as the primary waterway for moving goods and people across eastern Venezuela and Colombia's Llanos grasslands. It functions as the backbone of regional transport in areas where overland roads are sparse.
How large is Orinoco's territory?
Orinoco's drainage basin, known as the Orinoquia, spans approximately one million square kilometers, making it one of the most expansive river systems on the planet. Venezuela holds about 65% of this basin while Colombia accounts for the remaining 35%.
What is Orinoco's main tributary?
The Guaviare River is Orinoco's principal tributary, feeding a significant share of the water that eventually reaches the river's delta. Together, the two waterways form a critical corridor through the interior of South America.
More in Rivers Of The World 1-20
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