Grijalva River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grijalva River |
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The cliffs at Sumidero Canyon overlook the Grijalva River
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 Location of Grijalva in Mexico
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| Native name | Río Grijalva (Spanish) |
| Country | Mexico |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Mexico 0 m (0 ft) 18°36′10″N 92°41′33″W / 18.60278°N 92.69250°W |
| Length | 480 km (300 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 134,400 km2 (51,900 sq mi) |
Grijalva River, formerly known as Tabasco River, (Spanish: Río Grijalva, known locally also as Río Grande de Chiapas, Río Grande and Mezcalapa River) is a 480 km (300 mi) long river in southeastern Mexico. It is named after Juan de Grijalva who visited the area in 1518.
The river rises from Río Grande de Chiapas in southeastern Chiapas and flows from Chiapas to the state of Tabasco through the Sumidero Canyon into the Bay of Campeche. Beginning as "Río Grande de Chiapas" or "Río Mezcalapa", later, Río Grande is stopped at the Angostura Dam (Mexico), one of the largest reservoirs in Mexico, and then its course is now named "Grijalva River". The river's drainage basin is 134,400 km2 (51,900 sq mi) in size. Because of the close connection to the Usumacinta River (the two combine, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico in a single delta), they are often regarded as a single river basin, the Grijalva-Usumacinta River. Río Grande de Chiapas rises into Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala; in Guatemala receives the name "Selegua River" and also is a large river.
After flowing from Nezahualcoyotl Lake, an artificial lake created by the hydroelectric Malpaso Dam, Grijalva River turns northward and eastward, roughly paralleling the Chiapas-Tabasco state border. It flows through Villahermosa (where, in 2001, a new cable-stayed bridge was constructed to cross the river) and empties into the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Frontera. The river is navigable by shallow-draft boats for approximately 100 mi (160 km) upstream.
Gallery
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Juan de Grijalva, expedition in 1518. Discovery by the Europeans of the Grijalva River.
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Sketch of the River Tabasco, 1847-48
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Chicoasén Dam
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Malpaso Dam
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Grijalva River flowing through Villahermosa.
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See also
In Spanish: Río Grijalva para niños
- Chiapas bridge
- List of longest rivers of Mexico
