Oyapock

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Oyapock - Oiapoque
View over the Oyapock of Brazil

View over the Oyapock of Brazil

Data
location Border river between Brazil and French Guiana
River system Oyapock
source in the Brazilian state of Amapá
muzzle below Oiapoque and Saint-Georges in the Atlantic Coordinates: 4 ° 17 ′ 5 ″  N , 51 ° 37 ′ 19 ″  W 4 ° 17 ′ 5 ″  N , 51 ° 37 ′ 19 ″  W

length 370 km
Catchment area 26,820 km²

The Oyapock or Oiapoque is a river in South America . It forms the border between French Guiana and Brazil until it flows into the Atlantic .

The border is guarded by the police and the Foreign Legion from Kourou . Customs offices are located in Saint George de l'Oyapoque and Camopi .

Border problem

The area on what is now the Brazilian side of the river was claimed for a long time by France and the then colonial power Portugal . Switzerland , which set the Oyapock as the border river, was used as a mediator . A memorial stone for this event still stands in the center of the Brazilian border village.

Environmental issues

Since gold can be found in the region , a large number of illegal gold seekers mine there who work with mercury and this gets into the river with the sewage and thus into the free environment. In addition to the flora and fauna, this represents a very serious health risk, especially for the indigenous people who traditionally live in the forest. Although the French officials take action against these people, they then simply continue to work on the other side of the river and invade again after a while entered French-Guyanese territory, as the rainforest is difficult to control, and in the event that environmental offenders are caught, the French military have little legal recourse against the people who work in mafia-like structures. The miners, who do the actual work and take great health and legal risks, are usually in a suppressed, slave-like working relationship with their "donos" (ptg.) In the background, who often do not shy away from violence.

Some numbers

  • River length: 370 km
  • Catchment area: 26 820 km²
  • Discharge: 835 m³ / s (annual average)