The Orinoco Delta is one of the most picturesque places in South America. For the unearthly beauty of these places, Christopher Columbus, who explored the New World at the end of the 15th century, called the Orinoco a "river of paradise."

The delta of this river occupies a huge area - about 25 thousand square kilometers, second only to such water giants as the Ganges, Amazon, Lena, Mississippi. With an incredibly rich and colorful flora and fauna, the Orinoco Delta is no less impressive than such beautiful places planets like the Colored Rocks of China, the Sea of ​​Stars (Maldives), Turkish Cappadocia or the beaches of White Harbor in Australia.

Most of the river flows through Venezuela. Although the exploration of Orinoco began quite a long time ago (even in the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors visited these places in search of the mythical El Dorado), for a long time remained unknown where this grandiose water artery. Only in the 50s of the last century was it possible to establish that its source is located near Mount Delgado Chalbaud, on the border of Venezuela with Brazil.

It is noteworthy that most of the rivers in the Orinoco Delta are distinguished by an unusual color of water. Depending on the composition of the bottom soil and the characteristics of coastal vegetation, the color of the water varies from light yellow, almost white, to dark coffee and even ink black. At the same time, a strange pattern is noted: the lighter the color of the water, the large quantity a variety of insects and aquatic animals lives in the river and coastal zone.

One of the most remarkable plants growing along the banks of the river is the Morice palm. From high (up to 30 meters) even trunks of palm trees, local residents make cellulose, use them in the construction of huts, and eat the core.

The greatest interest among tourists is caused by numerous National parks located near the Orinoco: El Avila, La Mucuy, Henri Pittier, Los Nevados other. They are home to an incredible array of bird and animal species, including ibis, flamingos, hawks, parrots, jaguars, cougars, large snakes planets - anacondas and even an endangered species of reptiles - Orinoco crocodiles. For many years, these reptiles were mercilessly exterminated by poachers for the sake of a beautiful skin. Currently, no more than 250 individuals remain, the species is listed in the Red Book.

Especially popular National park Sierra Nevada, where you can not only admire the beauties of nature, but also fly on a delta or paragliding, as well as take rock climbing lessons.

One of the main attractions of these places is Turtle Mountain. According to local legends, it was at the foot of this mysterious hill that the universe was born. Aborigines consider this mountain sacred. Touching its surface, and even more so climbing the mountain, is strictly prohibited - you can only admire this natural miracle from afar.

Not only the beauty of nature, but also the opportunity to plunge into wonderful world original Indian tribes not corrupted by civilization attract tourists to the Orinoco coast. Most of the indigenous inhabitants of Venezuela live along the banks of the river. These are the Indians of such few tribes as the Guayacho, Guajiro, Tamanuki, Yanomami, Yaruro and others.

Rivers on the map

Perhaps the most famous people inhabiting these places are the Varao Indians, who spend almost their entire lives on the water. They live in huts built on stilts right above the water, their main mode of transportation to this day remains the canoe. Even the name of the tribe - "Warao" - in translation means "a man in a boat." The Indians of the tribe are very friendly, visitors to the village on the water will be shown traditional household items, introduced to the customs and culture of the tribe, and treated to local cuisine. Incredibly popular with tourists are canoe tours accompanied by warao guides who organize excursions in the jungle, as well as piranha hunting.

The climate on the Orinoco coast is humid and hot. Average annual temperature about 25-26°, it rains very often. The driest months of the year are January, February, March. It is for this period that it is recommended to plan a trip to the Orinoco Delta.

Geography

Orinoco(from the Spanish Orinoco) is a river flowing in South America. It mainly flows through the territory of Venezuela and flows into. The length of the river reaches 2736 km. The source of the Orinoco is Mount Delgado Chalbaud, near Parim, it is on the border with Brazil. From there, in a wide arc, it turns from the southwest to the west, then to the north, and finally to the northeast, where it flows into the Gulf of Laria Atlantic Ocean. Down the Orinoco River spreads into hundreds of branches, forming a delta, the area of ​​​​which is 41,000 km2. In floods, the width of the river reaches 22 km, and the depth is up to 100 meters. Navigable, oceangoing ships are able to reach Ciudad Bolívar, which is 435 km from the Atlantic Ocean, if you sail upstream. Orinoco crosses subequatorial belt. Orinoco main food- rain, there are sharp fluctuations in water. During the dry season, some of the tributaries of this river become small stagnant lakes.

Delta Orinoco mostly inhabited by Warao Indians. This nationality ranks second in number, inhabiting Venezuela. Here you can get acquainted with the culture and customs of this people.

During the rainy season, usually between June and October, large areas are flooded with water, which leads to the formation of swamps. The local animal and bird world is very diverse. The most exotic species are found here, starting with the well-known anaconda and ending with the scarlet ibis.

Interesting Facts

  • The Orinoco is a classic example of the bifurcation of rivers.
  • The Orinoco is home to Amazonian dolphins.
  • The Orinoco is home to Orinoco crocodiles, the rarest species of crocodiles.
  • Orinoco stores the largest reserves of tar sands or, as it is also called, heavy oil.
  • There are over 100 colonies of wading birds in the Orinoco Delta.

The Ohio River flows through the United States. It is a left tributary of the Mississippi River. Its length is 1580 km. The Ohio River Basin is formed by the confluence of the two rivers, the Allegheny and the Monongahila, which originate in the Appalachian Mountains. Thus, the area of ​​the basin is 528.1 thousand km2.
The river has several main tributaries. Of these, the right ones are the Miami, Wabash and Muskingham rivers, [...]

The Orinoco is one of the largest river systems in the world. This is the most mysterious and bewitching river in South America. Its waters have been attracting adventurers for centuries, despite its dangerous and unpredictable nature.

Discovery history

From the day it was discovered, Orinoco was for a long time inaccessible due to the jungle hiding it, and therefore unknown. The first mention of it can be found in the records of Christopher Columbus relating to his third expedition. The discoverer saw only the Orinoco Delta, but the picture that opened up struck him with its beauty.

The name of the Spaniard Diego de Ordaz is associated with this river, who spent half his life trying to find mysterious place El Dorado. He was the first to study wildlife Orinoco. In 1531, the German explorer Ambrosius Ehinger decided to study the river. At the same time, several other expeditions of an exploratory nature were made. Unfortunately, the Orinoco of those times has not come down to us.

She was remembered only at the beginning of the 19th century, when the German traveler Alexander von Humboldt went to study the nature of South America. It was he who described in detail the plants that grew along the banks of the Orinoco River, as well as the animals that lived in its waters. The source of the reservoir was found only by the middle of the 20th century.

The geographical location of the river and its size

The Orinoco River, as mentioned above, is located in South America. Its source is located on the border of Venezuela and Brazil. The river originates from Mount Delgado Chalbaud in the region of the Guinean Plateau.

Almost all of the Orinoco flows through Venezuela, but some parts of it lie in Colombia. Having passed the northern part of the mainland, the river flows into the Gulf of Paria, and from it into the Atlantic Ocean.

The length of the Orinoco River is 2736 km, which makes it one of the longest bodies of water in South America. Width on different areas ranges from 250 m to 10 km. During floods, the Orinoco can overflow up to 22 km wide. The depth of the river is not the greatest - its maximum point reaches 100 m.

Character of the Orinoco River

Shipping on the Orinoco is limited and very risky. moves only in the area of ​​full-flowing delta. This is a forced measure caused by the inconstancy of the nature of the reservoir. Here every 6-7 hours there are significant ebbs and flows that prevent ships from moving. Orinoco depends on the time of year and the season. In the dry season, it turns into a system of lakes and swamps, and in the rainy season it overflows.

The course of the Orinoco River at its source is southwestern. The channel gradually bends in the form of an arc. Then the direction of the Orinoco River changes. It flows to the north and northeast. There the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The speed of the water flow is stably average along the entire length, except for the source. Since the river originates in the mountains, it flows faster in this area than in the lower reaches.

Topography and tributaries

In the upper reaches of the Orinoco River is a large number of waterfalls of all sizes. This is due to the rocky and uneven surface of this area. In the lower and middle parts, the relief of the Orinoco River is flat.

Closer to the Orinoco delta, it branches strongly, forming a large number of tributaries and lakes. Thanks to them, this place is especially picturesque. The tributaries of the river are unique, because, despite the same source, each of them has an individual color and a unique composition of water. The water level in them is also not constant, as it depends on the amount of precipitation. During the dry season, the tributaries dry up a lot or turn into small lakes.

One of the tributaries of the Orinoco - Casiquiare, connects it with the most famous and deep river South America - Amazon.

Wildlife of the Orinoco River

The fauna of the Orinoco river system is unique. It has about 700 species of living beings. The waters of the river abound with fish. There are electric eels and catfish, weighing several pounds, which have been feeding the local population for many centuries. However, you should be wary of piranhas and crocodiles, which are found here in abundance. The Orinoco River area is home to thousands of bird species. Scarlet ibis, flamingos, colorful parrots live here. On the shores you can meet giant tortoises and other reptiles. In the lower part of the river there are many monkeys - capuchins, howler monkeys, macaques, as well as representatives of the cat family - ocelots, jaguars, cougars, etc.

Most tourists travel along the Orinoco River in the hope of seeing huge anacondas. But also here you can meet very rare animals - pink and gray river dolphins, a giant river otter, herbivorous manatees, as well as the rarest reptile in the world - the Orinoco crocodile. Today, these species are recognized as endangered and taken under protection.

Flora of the river

The forest growing along the river is floodable. Therefore, the plant life here is lush and varied. In the lower reaches of the river, the flora is dense due to the large number of vines that make these places impassable. However, those who manage to walk through the Orinoc forests will be delighted with the abundant flowering of bromeliads and orchids.

Among the trees, mangroves predominate. Their roots descend directly into the water, from where they receive food. In numerous mixed forests Tall palm trees and a variety of fruit trees grow abundantly.

The value of the river in the economic life of a person

There are practically no settlements off the coast of Orinoco. However, numerous indigenous tribes live here, for whom the river has become a source of not only food, but also additional income. So, the local friendly Warao Indian tribes have been living here for many years. Their small wooden houses built on stilts and rise above the water. In addition to catching fish, they are engaged in transporting tourists along the Orinoco River. The very word "warao" is translated as "people of the boat", so closely this primitive tribe connects its life with water.

The largest of the few towns along the Orinoco River is Ciudad Guayana. It was next to it that in the middle of the last century they began to build ports. It was the result of the discovery iron ore and other minerals. On the this moment ore processing work continues. A reservoir and a hydroelectric power station were also installed on the river.

V Lately the vast tropical grasslands of the Orinoco Basin are used as pastures for livestock. This entails unpleasant consequences, as herds of animals trample the grass and eat a large number of plants, and the once fertile soils are degraded.

Tourism on the Orinoco River

The tourist base of the Orinoco River began to develop quite recently. Today this place is attractive for real adventurers. Tourists are offered exciting boat trips that allow you to explore all the channels of the river, get acquainted with the flora and fauna, touch the thousand-year-old culture of the locals.

Traveling through the Orinoco can be attributed to such a popular destination today as Many places here are untouched and pristine. Travel agencies offer many programs for every taste. Depending on your preferences, you can go canoeing, go fishing (piranha hunting is especially popular), take a walk in the jungle, or visit the Warao settlement. Both day and night programs are provided.

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Orinoco Basin: Wildlife of Venezuela

The Orinoco is a river in South America that flows mainly through Venezuela and then flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its length is 2736 kilometers.

The Orinoco River is the first open river in the New World. When in 1498 Christopher Columbus saw the mouth of the Orinoco River, he was so struck by the beauty of these places that he decided that this was one of the four rivers of paradise. The Warao Indians greeted the sailors in a friendly manner. But the tradition of the Indians to wear gold jewelry played a cruel joke on them. The conquistadors, driven by the gold rush and dreams of the golden city of Eldorado, moved deeper and deeper along the river, destroying everything in their path. But they failed to find the mythical golden city. The Warao Indians still live in the Orinoco Delta. Their number becomes only 20 thousand people.

And the Orinoco River originates at Mount Delgado Chalbaud in the Parima region, which is located almost on the border with Brazil. The origins of the Orinoco remained unexplored until the middle of the 20th century, partly due to flooded forests, tributaries, rapids and waterfalls, which made it very difficult for researchers to access these places. From here it turns in a wide arc from the southwest to the west, and then to the north. From its source, the river flows in a wide arc around the Guiana Highlands. Further, the Orinoco River flows through the southwestern part of the Guiana Lowland, where it forms a delta, and finally flows into the Gulf of Paria of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the lower reaches of the Orinoco, a delta of 41,000 km² forms, branching into hundreds of branches. At the same time, during floods, the width of the river can reach 22 kilometers with a depth of about 100 meters and a water flow of 33,000 m³ / s. The Ventuari, Caura, Caroni rivers are the right tributaries of the Orinoco, and the Guaviare, Vichada, Meta, Arauca, Apure are left tributaries. On one of the tributaries of the Orinoco River, namely the Churun ​​River, there is the highest waterfall in the world - Angel Falls.

The Orinoco is a navigable river, and dredging allows ocean-going vessels to reach Ciudad Bolívar, which is 435 kilometers upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Most Venezuelan rivers are tributaries of the Orinoco. A feature of the Orinoco River is that it is a classic example of the bifurcation of rivers. The Casiquiare River, which starts as a branch of the Orinoco and flows into the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon, forms a natural channel between the Orinoco and the Amazon. The Orinoco crosses the subequatorial belt, is mainly fed by rain and sharp fluctuations in water levels throughout the year. In the dry season, small tributaries of this river turn into a chain of small stagnant lakes.

Since ancient times, Venezuela and Colombia have been inhabited by the Warao Indians. Interestingly, "warao" is translated as "a man in a boat." And for good reason, as these Indians live in houses on stilts, without walls, right above the water, and canoes. For more than twelve thousand years they have been living here, in the Orinoco basin...

The river is also known for its Amazonian dolphins and the Orinoco crocodile, the most a rare species crocodiles, and the world's largest reserves of tar sands (heavy oil).

The Orinoco Delta is one of the most wonderful places in Venezuela. It is formed by the Orinoco and Apure rivers flowing down from the foothills of the Andes.

This unique nature reserve, occupying an area of ​​over 25 thousand square kilometers, has several different ecosystems: evergreen a tropical forest, swampy and savannah forests, mangroves and non-drying fresh marshes. The change of season in the Orinoco Delta is a sight to behold.

Saturated with plants and animals, the Orinoco Delta presents special interest for tourists who love travel and excursions in wildlife. Activities such as piranha fishing and caiman hunting will keep thrill-seekers entertained, while getting to know the locals will give you the opportunity to learn more about their lives and buy handmade souvenirs from them.

Carrao River

The Carrao River is a tributary of another river - the Caroni (which, in turn, flows into the Orinoco). Due to its picturesque views, the Carrao River is very popular among tourists. Another indisputable reason for the increased attention to Carrao is the fact that the Churun ​​River flows into it, on which Angel is located - the world's highest free-falling waterfall (its height is 978 meters).

Rafting on the Carrao River is not only a tourist attraction, but also one of the main ways to get to remote areas of Venezuela. Carrao is surrounded by impenetrable jungle, through which it is impossible to build roads.