Arauca River

The Arauca as a border river between the towns of Arauca and El Amparo

Template: Infobox River / Obsolete

The Río Arauca is a tributary of the Orinoco River in northern South America.

Course

The river rises in the Andes ( Páramo del Almorzadero ) in the north-central area of Colombia in 4100 meters altitude. The Arauca flows eastwards into the Orinoco River in Venezuela. Parts of the river form the border between Colombia and Venezuela. The length of Arauca is about 1,050 km.

Catchment area and navigability

The very narrow and elongated catchment area of ​​Arauca is around 3 000 sq. km. About 80 percent of the river running through the savanna -like alluvial plains ( Llanos de la Orinoquia ) and is navigable by small boats.

Places on the Rio Arauca

On the river are home to villages Arauca in Colombia and against El Amparo de Apure in Venezuela. The international bridge José Antonio Páez connects both countries at this point.