The Uruguay River

• Length: 1600 km
• Swimming pool: 365 thousand square meters. km
• Water consumption: 5500 cubic meters. m / sec.
• The source: the confluence of the rivers Pelotas and Canoas; height - 1800 m
• Estuary: La Plata; height - 0 m

The Uruguay River plays a very important role in the economic, industrial and trade spheres of the life of Uruguay , Brazil and Argentina . The natural beauty of the river is also attractive to the tourist flow.

Geography of the Uruguay River

The Uruguay River enters the Atlantic water system. It originates in the Brazilian Cordilleras at an altitude of about 2 thousand meters, at the confluence of the Pelotas and Canoas rivers on the Serra do Mar mountain ridge and flows to the south, delineating the lands of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The map shows that the Uruguay River flows into the Estuary of the Parana River (La Plata).

Interesting facts about the river Uruguay

If you are going to visit one of these three countries, get acquainted with some facts about the river:

1. The name she received thanks to the Indians Guarani. Uruguay translates as "the river of motley birds" or "the river where the bird lives".
2. The most significant tributaries of the river are Uruguay - Rio Negro and Ibicuy.
3. The most important port cities are Concordia, Salto , Paysandu , Paso de los Libres.
4. The landscape along the river is very diverse. In the upper reaches of the city of Sao Tome, it overcomes a large number of rapids, flowing along the lava plateau and creating powerful and turbulent currents, especially in the cities of Salto and Concordia . In the middle part of the river, the landscape is characterized by plains in Argentina and a hilly surface in Brazil.
5. Shipping routes along the river pass to Salto and Concordia (this route is more than 300 km). From Paysandu, the water flows of the river Uruguay are used for shipping purposes.
6. The water system of the river is used for water supply to the population, as well as for the needs of hydroelectric power stations. On the river there are three large hydropower stations - Salto Grande and the Rincon del Bonnete and Rincon del Baigorria stations built on the tributary of the Rio Negro.
7. The Rincon del Bonnet reservoir on the Rio Negro is one of the largest in South America;
8. Salto Port is the most populous city in the country after the capital.

Climate

The lands along the river Uruguay belong to the subtropical climatic belt. The warmest month is January (the thermometer bars show up to +22 ° C), the coolest is July (about + 11 ° C). The amount of precipitation in the year fluctuates around 1000 mm, the humidity is within 60%. In spring and autumn, when rains are raining, floods are observed on the river.

What is interesting about the river Uruguay?

Let us consider in more detail what you can see on the river:

1. Nature. From the point of view of the beauty of the landscape, the estuary, the sources and tributaries of Uruguay, the Salto Grande waterfall and the thermal waters on the Arapei River are of interest.
2. Bridges. Five international bridges spanning the Uruguay River are named after Salto Grande, Integration, General Artigos, General Libertador San Martin, and the bridge of Agustin P. Justo - Jetulio Vargas.
3. The El-Palmar Nature Reserve in Concordia.
4. Preserve Esteros de Farrapos in Paysandu.
5. Museums of Revolution and History , a pulp mill in Fray Bentos.
6. The San Jose Palace , dating from the mid-19th century, and the Ramirez square in Concepcion del Uruguay.

How to get there?

To see all the natural beauty and interesting places on the river Uruguay, you need to fly to one of the international airports of the three countries where the river flows. All flights to these regions are carried out with docking either in one of the cities in Europe (different airlines offer several routes) or in the USA. The second option requires the addition of an American visa.