The Orinoco River: Venezuela & Colombia's Mighty Artery

The Orinoco River flows through Venezuela and Colombia.

Key Facts

• Length: 2,150 km (1,340 mi) — 3rd longest in South America (after Amazon, Paraná)
• Discharge: ~37,000 m³/s — 4th largest globally (after Amazon, Congo, Yangtze)
• Source: Cerro Delgado-Chalbaud, Parima Mountains (Venezuela-Brazil border)
• Mouth: Delta del Orinoco (vast fan-shaped delta) → Atlantic Ocean
• Major Tributaries: Caroní, Apure, Meta, Guaviare, Vichada

Significance

• Venezuela's lifeline: 75% of population lives in Orinoco basin; hydropower (Guri Dam = 10 GW), transport, water supply.
• Biodiversity: Orinoco crocodile, pink river dolphin, giant otter, 1,000+ fish species.
• Resources: Oil (Orinoco Belt = world's largest heavy crude deposits), iron ore, bauxite.

The Orinoco shapes the geography, economy, and ecology of northern South America.