In the wilds of the tropical forests of southern Venezuela, between two sloping rocks, the Casiquiare water stream originates. The river is tropical. It branches off from the largest body of water in South America - Orinoco, and flows into an equally large and well-known stream - the Amazon. This is precisely its main feature. This is the only natural canal in the world that crosses the watershed and links the largest systems. The Casiquiare River stretches for 326 km, and its width closer to the mouth reaches up to 533 m. The flow velocity is from 0.3 m/s to 3.6 m/s, depending on the season and location.
Opening of the river
The history of the discovery and the name of the river is fraught with much confusion and controversy for more than a hundred years. For the first time, Spanish missionaries started talking about this reservoir, marauding in these places in search of a gold mine. In the 40s of the 16th century, the Spanish priest Acuna also reported on a connecting channel between the streams, but no one took his words seriously. In subsequent decades, the Casiquiare River was discovered by many expeditions, but specialresearch has not taken place. And only at the beginning of the 19th century was a large-scale ten-day expedition led by Alexander von Humboldt and the botanist Aimé Bonpland, which proved the connection of the rivers with a natural channel. Until now, there is an opinion that the water bridge between the largest streams of South America is far from being of natural origin. There is a version that this is the result of the efforts of the most ancient inhabitants of this area.
Legend of Manoa
Most of all tourists come to these places in order to visit the place where the rivers bifurcate. They are also drawn to the legends, adventures and jungles that are so famous all over the world. Many agree to go all the way of the conquistadors, who once sought the territory of the Incas.
The most famous and respected legend is about Manoa. According to historical references, it can be argued that jewelry and gold could be located at the location of the river. It is because of them that Casiquiare is a cemetery for a huge number of tribes and civilizations.
Environment
The Casiquiare River has a huge amount of mineral components and nutrients, which gives it a dirty yellow color. Reservoirs of this type are called white. They are literally teeming with various insects and aquatic inhabitants. On the tropical banks of the river, you can meet broad-nosed and spider monkeys, sloths, anteaters, some predators from the cat family, porcupines, poisonous snakes and lizards. Crocodiles are often found in Casiquiar itself.
Rest onriver
The Casiquiare River has all the parameters for sport and recreational fishing. Catching vertebrates in the waters of the Orinoco, as well as in its offshoot, is considered one of the best in the world. Numerous species of fish attract both private anglers and industrialists.
Casiquiare attracts many tourists with its uniqueness, endless legends and romance of treasure hunters. Legends tell of an ancient shaman who, in one of his rites of sacrifice to the sun god, threw gold and other jewels into lakes near the Amazon.
The tourist business on the river is developing every year, which is reflected in the construction of more and more new recreation centers on the banks. That is why the Casiquiare River for the tourist will seem the best place in the world. You can either travel along the picturesque canal by boat or climb the nearby mountain peaks to see the bifurcation of the rivers from above.
Thanks to the impenetrable tropical jungle, saturated with several thousand different plant species, the landscape on the banks of the water stream opens up unforgettable. Exotic rubber trees, Inga plants, papaya, palm trees - all this is unlikely to leave indifferent.
