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What is special about the Orinoco river?
It is the fourth largest river in the world by discharge volume of water. The Orinoco River and its tributaries are the major transportation system for eastern and interior Venezuela and the Llanos of Colombia. The environment and wildlife in the Orinoco’s basin are extremely diverse.
How did the Orinoco river get its name?
The name Orinoco is derived from Warao (Guarauno) words meaning “a place to paddle”—i.e., a navigable place. Northern Andes and the Orinoco River basin Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
How many countries does the Orinoco river flow through?
The Orinoco River flows through Colombia and Venezuela in South America. It is considered the fourth largest river in the world in terms of discharge quantity. It runs over a course of 1,330 miles, making it one of the longest rivers on the South American continent.
What animals live in the Orinoco river?
These waters are home to the critically endangered Orinoco crocodile, river dolphins, giant river otters, the giant anaconda and more than 1,000 fish species. It is also a hub for rich birdlife, including flamingos, colourful parrots and the scarlet ibis.
Are there piranhas in the Orinoco River?
Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Paraná in Argentina. Their geographical distribution extends from the Orinoco River basin (Venezuela) to the North, down to that of the Paraná (Argentina) to the South.
Does the Paraná River have piranhas?
With the vast array of river, tributaries and drainage systems in the Amazon basin, the Parana river is the second longest river in Latin America. So, are there Piranhas in the Parana River? In short, yes there are Piranha in the Parana river. The most famous Piranha to inhabit the river is the Speckled Piranha.
How do humans use the Paraná River?
ROLE AND USES Today, the river provides the fishermen living near its basin with rich aquatic fauna that is sold to and consumed by the local population and the export industry. Large-scale cattle ranching and agriculture activities also thrive because of the river.
What animals live in the Paraná River?
Besides terrestrial life, the river also supports a large number of aquatic species, including migratory fishes such as the Atlantic saber-tooth anchovy, the Sábalo, and the Golden dorado, as well as such other fishes as Piranhas, Catfishes, the Lungfish, and a diverse variety of tiny phytoplankton and macrophytes.