| Negro Curú Leuvú, Río de los Sauces | |
|---|---|
 Rio Negro near the mouth, seen from its northern bank, between the cities ofViedma, Río Negro andCarmen de Patagones,Buenos Aires | |
 Map of the Río Negro drainage basin | |
| Location | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Provinces | |
| Region | Patagonia |
| Cities | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Limay River |
| • location | Nahuel Huapi Lake,Neuquén |
| • coordinates | 41°03′20″S71°09′07″W / 41.05556°S 71.15194°W /-41.05556; -71.15194 |
| • elevation | 770 m (2,530 ft) |
| 2nd source | Neuquén River |
| • location | Near Laguna Fea,Neuquén |
| • coordinates | 36°10′53″S70°34′16″W / 36.18139°S 70.57111°W /-36.18139; -70.57111 |
| • elevation | 2,800 m (9,200 ft) |
| Source confluence | |
| • location | Neuquén,Río Negro |
| • coordinates | 38°59′40″S68°00′07″W / 38.99444°S 68.00194°W /-38.99444; -68.00194 |
| • elevation | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Mouth | Atlantic Ocean |
• location | El Cóndor,Río Negro |
• coordinates | 41°01′50″S62°47′23″W / 41.03056°S 62.78972°W /-41.03056; -62.78972 |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 550 km (340 mi) |
| Basin size | 102,000 km2 (39,000 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Primera Angostura |
| • average | 762.5 m3/s (26,930 cu ft/s) |
| • minimum | 181 m3/s (6,400 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | 2,068 m3/s (73,000 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Neuquén River |
| • right | Limay River |
Río Negro (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈri.oˈneɣɾo];Black River) is the main river ofPatagonia in terms of the size of itsdrainage basin, its associatedagricultural produce and population living at its shores. In eastern Patagonia it is also the largest by flow rate. The river flows through theArgentineprovince ofRío Negro which is named after it. Its name comes from the literal translation of theMapuche termCuru Leuvu, although the water is more green than black. Formerly, it was also known as "river of the willows" because of the big number of weeping willows that grow along the bank. It is 635 km in length.
It originates from the junction of theLimay River andNeuquén River at the border with theNeuquén Province, and flows southeastincised throughsteppes to theAtlantic Ocean at41°01′20″S62°47′25″W / 41.0223°S 62.7903°W /-41.0223; -62.7903, near El Cóndor beach resort some 30 km (19 mi) downstream fromViedma, Río Negro province's capital.
The river allows the Río Negro province to produce 70% of thepears and 72% of theapples of Argentina.[1][2] The main area of orchards lie in the middle and upper course of the river.[1] About 48% of theSouthern Hemisphere's pears are produced in Río Negro.[3] Besides irrigation, the river is also source of hydroelectricity with smalldams on its course. The river's lower 400 km are navigable.[2]
In 1604 the inland area of the river was reached by Spanish explorers departing fromBuenos Aires in search of the mythicalCity of the Caesars.[4] The river served briefly as a natural demarcation between "civilization" and the indigenous territories in the late 1870s and early 1880s during theConquest of the Desert.[citation needed] In the 1900s Welsh settlers fromChubut were granted land inChoele Choel.[5]
The river is divided into three parts: TheAlto Valle (High Valley) near the beginning of the river,Valle Medio (Medium Valley) nearChoele Choel, andValle Inferior (Lower Valley) near its end.
The river crosses thesteppe plains of the province through a forest of around 3 km (1.9 mi) in theAlto Valle, and as wide as 20 km (12 mi) towards theValle Inferior. In the dry plain it is possible to findseashells andpebble.
The main cities in Alto Valle are:General Roca,Cipolletti,Cinco Saltos, followed by many others on the National Route #22. Together withSan Carlos de Bariloche, this is the most prosperous part of the province. Most pear and apple plantations are at theAlto Valle, but many also at theValle Medio.
Next to Choele Choel is the Choele Choel Island, in which areLamarque,Luis Beltrán andPomona, all of them on National Route #250.
Besides apple and pear cultivation, tomato is also an important crop, being Lamarque theNational Capital of the Tomato. Outside the valley, on the more arid lands around town such asChimpay andDarwin, some cattle is also raised.
Although the term is not as used term as the previous two,Valle Inferior refers toViedma and all the cities on the province's coast. Fruit is also produced but is not a primary activity.Onion is cultivated as well as some cereals.Alfalfa andmaize is cultivated both for human consumption and for feedingcattle, which is the most important activity.
In spite of its name ofNegro ("black") the colour is more greenish than black. Nevertheless, the name is the literal translation of its aboriginalMapuche name ofCurú Leuvú. The river was also known by the name ofRío de los Sauces ("River of Willows") for the abundant weepingwillows along its lower course.
TheRegata del Río Negro (Black River Regatta), run in this river, is the longestkayak boat-race in the world with its 653 km (406 mi). The competition is divided in six stages and last 8 days (with two days for resting).
The categories are
