Motagua River

The Motagua River (Spanish pronunciation: [moˈtaɣwa]) is a 486-kilometre (302 mi) long river in Guatemala.[1] It rises in the western highlands of Guatemala where it is also called Río Grande, and runs in an easterly direction to the Gulf of Honduras.[2] The final few kilometres of the river form part of the Guatemala–Honduras border. The Motagua River basin covers an area of 12,670 square kilometres (4,890 sq mi) and is the largest in Guatemala.

"Motagua" redirects here. For the association football club, see C.D. Motagua. Not to be confused with Mataguá.
Motagua River
The Motagua River during the dry season
The Motagua River, flowing from the highlands in western Guatemala to the coast at the Guatemala–Honduras border
Location
CountryGuatemala, Honduras
Physical characteristics
SourceQuiché Department
 • coordinates14°56′57″N 91°00′32″W
 • elevation1,800 m (5,900 ft)
2nd sourceBaja Verapaz Department
MouthGulf of Honduras in the Atlantic Ocean
 • location
Puerto Barrios
 • coordinates
15°43′29″N 88°13′18″W
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length486.55 km (302.33 mi)[1]
Basin size12,670 km2 (4,890 sq mi)[1]
Discharge 
 • average208.7 m3/s (7,370 cu ft/s)[1]

Overview

The river runs in a valley that has the only known source of jadeitite (jade) in Mesoamerica, and was an important commerce route during the Pre-Columbian era. The important Maya site of Quirigua is near the river's north bank, as are several smaller sites with jade quarries and workshops.

The Motagua river valley also marks the Motagua Fault, the tectonic boundary between the North American and the Caribbean Plates. The Motagua fault has been the source of several major earthquakes in Guatemala. Much like Lake Amatitlán, the river is highly polluted with untreated sewage, industrial waste, tons of sediment (garbage) and blackwater from Guatemala City.

Tributaries

Left

Río Cocoyá, Río Cotón, Río Suchicul, Río Morazán, Río Comajá, Río Lato, Río Huijo, Río La Palmilla, Río Teculutan, Río Pasabien, Río Hondo, Río Jones, RíoLos Achiotes, Río Mayuelas, Río El Lobo, Quebrada Agua Fría, Quebrada La Vegega, Río Las Conchas

Río Chipaca, Rio Agua Escondida, Rio Quisaya, Rio Pixcayá, Río Cotzibal, Río Las Vacas, Río Grande, Río Ovejas, Río El Tambor, Río San Vicente, Río Grande o Zapaca, Río Carí, Río Las Naranjas, Río Biafra, Río El Islote, Río Jubuco, Río Lagarto, Río Tepemechín, Río Juyamá, Río Bobos, Río Animas, Río Chiquito, Río Nuevo o Cacao

References
  1. INSIVUMEH. "Principales ríos de Guatemala".
  2. "Tapping a Rubber Tree, Motagua Valley, Guatemala". World Digital Library. 1890–1925. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
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