Pastaza River

Bridge over the Pastaza between Macas and Puyo

The Río Pastaza (formerly Río Sumatara ) is a major tributary of the Amazon River, which rises in the Ecuadorian Andes and flows on Peruvian territory in the Marañón. The Pastaza is a total of over 500 km long.

Course

The Pastaza rises in the Ecuadorian Andes. Its two main rivers are the source of the Chambo and the Patate. The Chambo has formed in Riobamba a valley and flows first north at Tungurahua over. In Baños he unites with the north, near the Cotopaxi springing Patate. From here on the upper reaches of the Pastaza flows down the Andes to the east. From Mera it flows in a southeasterly direction through the Amazon lowlands. It forms the border of the Ecuadorian provinces of Pastaza and Morona Santiago. North of Nuevo Andoas the Pastaza reached Peruvian territory. Shortly afterwards opens the Pastaza in the Marañón, one of the headwaters of the Amazon.

The Pastaza flow on the left side of the Capahuari and Bobonanza to the right side of the Huasaga and Huitoyacu.

Characteristics

The Pastaza was first traveled in 1741 by Pedro Vicente Maldonado for scientific purposes and investigated. The headwaters of the Pastaza is a relatively shallow river with many sandbanks. He is normally not systematically navigable, except with canoes or motor boats. However, it is a raging, very broad power when large masses of water to reach its headwaters in the rainy season in the highlands. The underflow is up to the confluence of the Huasaga (200 km from the mouth ) from the Amazon ago partly navigable.