La Plata-Parana River Size report
La Plata-Parana River (Spanish: Río la Plata-Paraná) is the second-largest river in South America after the Amazon and the thirteenth-largest river in the world. The La Plata River is located between Uruguay and Argentina, and "La Plata" means "silver" in Spanish.
The La Plata-Parana River originates from the southeast of the Brazilian Plateau, begins at the confluence of the Grande and Paranaiba rivers, flows southwest through central and southern Brazil to Guaira, and then passes between Brazil and Paraguay, enters Argentina, and joins the Uruguay River. Later called La Plata River, and finally into the Atlantic Ocean.
The beautiful scenery is along the Parana River. The world-famous Iguazu Falls are located in the lower reaches of the junction of Brazil and Argentina, in the upper reaches of the Paraná River. You will learn more about the La Plata-Parana River in the following post.
La Plata-Parana River Introduction
The La Plata-Parana River flows through 5 countries in South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. It consists of the mainstream and its tributaries and the La Plata River. The Parana River, together with its tributaries, forms the larger of the two river systems that drain into the Río de la Plata. The Parana extends from the confluence of the Grande and Paranaíba rivers in southern Brazil, running southwestward for most of its course before turning southeastward to drain into the Río de la Plata. The main tributaries of the La Plata-Parana River include Tiete, Paranapanema, Iguacu, Salado, Paraguay, and Uraguay.
Length
The La Plata-Parana River is the second largest river in South America. Starting from its source, the Paranáíba River, the La Plata-Parana River is 4,100 kilometers long. The mainstream of the Paraná River (from the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Paranayba River) is 2,580 kilometers long, and the estuary of the La Plata River is 320 kilometers long.
Basin Size
It has a drainage area of about 4 million square kilometers. The La Plata River basin includes the area through which Paraguay, Uruguay, Parana, and La Plata rivers flow. It brings together several important tributaries in Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Landform
The La Plata-Parana River basin is located between 66°36'～34°05' west longitude and 14°13'～35° south latitude. The upper, middle, and lower reaches have their characteristics: many rocky beaches in the upper reaches. The middle gradient reaches large, while the lower reaches and their tributaries on the right bank are typical plain rivers with small gradients and open river beaches.
- The widest estuary in the world
The La Plata River is located between Argentina and Uruguay. It is a wide trumpet-shaped triangular port on the Atlantic coast, with a triangular water area of 35,000 square kilometers. The widest is between Cape San Antonio, Argentina, and Cape Este, Uruguay, with a width of 290 kilometers, making it the widest estuary in the world.
Climate
Most of the La Plata-Parana River basin has a humid subtropical climate, with rainfall in all seasons, with an annual rainfall of 1200-2400 mm. The northern part of the Paraná River Basin has a tropical climate, with rainy summer (December to May) and dry winter (July to November). The middle and lower reaches have a mild and humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cold winters.
Final Words
The La Plata River Basin is one of the most developed regions in Latin America. Most of it is in the subtropical zone, with abundant rainfall, fertile land, and rich products. It is the economic center of South America, such as Buenos Aires and La Plata. Towers, Rosario, Santa Fe, and other cities and ports are located along the river.
