Río Dulce (Guatemala)
Río Dulce | ||
Data | ||
location | Guatemala | |
River system | Río Dulce | |
source |
Lago Izabal 15 ° 38 ′ 15 " N , 88 ° 59 ′ 36" W. |
|
Source height | 2 m | |
muzzle |
Gulf of Honduras in the Caribbean Sea Coordinates: 15 ° 49 ′ 8 " N , 88 ° 44 ′ 55" W 15 ° 49 ′ 8 " N , 88 ° 44 ′ 55" W |
|
Mouth height | 0 m | |
Height difference | 2 m | |
Bottom slope | 0.05 ‰ | |
length | 43 km | |
Catchment area | 3435 km² | |
Livingston Harbor |
The Rio Dulce is one with its length of 43 km of the shortest, but at the same time known and most important rivers of Guatemala .
course
The approx. 20 to 40 m deep and mostly approx. 200 m wide Río Dulce only bears its name from its outflow from the Lago Izabal ; it flows in a northeastern direction through a (seemingly) untouched jungle landscape , widens to up to 5 km at the 16 km long Lago de Golfete and finally flows south of Livingston in the Gulf of Honduras into the Caribbean Sea .
history
The Río Dulce was navigable for the sailing ships of the Spanish conquistadors , but also for the mostly English pirates of the Caribbean . The Spaniards therefore built the Castillo de San Felipe de Lara at the eastern end of Lake Izabal , which is now one of the most visited sights in Guatemala.
fauna and Flora
The bank zones of the river, designated as a national park, are made up of dense jungle; Numerous species of birds ( cormorants , toucans, etc.) nest in the trees , but ground-breeding pelicans can also sometimes be seen. Various fish species live in the river itself, but also manatees ( manatees ).
Others
- At the entrance and exit of the Río Dulce there are numerous - mostly smaller - hotels.
- At one point on the northern bank, sulphurous warm springs come to the surface.