Exploring The Bolivia-Brazil Border: The River Divide

Bolivia and Brazil share a 3,423-km-long international border that extends from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, to Assis Brasil, in Acre. This boundary line crosses a variety of terrains, from large urban areas to inhospitable deserts and forests. And includes a number of rivers. The Guaporé River, also known as the Río Iténez, forms a large section of the border between Bolivia and Brazil, covering 920 km (570 mi) of the total boundary line. Another river that separates the two countries is the Acre River, which runs through the Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas before joining the Purus River. The Abuna River also forms part of the border between Bolivia and Brazil.

The Guaporé River is 1,260km long, with 920km forming the border between Brazil and Bolivia

The Guaporé River, also known as the Río Iténez in Spanish or the Rio Guaporé in Portuguese, is a river that flows through western Brazil and northeastern Bolivia. It is an impressive 1,260 kilometres (780 miles) long, with 920 kilometres (570 miles) of the river forming the natural border between Brazil and Bolivia.

The Guaporé River is part of the vast Madeira River basin, which eventually flows into the mighty Amazon River. The Guaporé itself flows into the Mamoré River, of which it is the largest tributary. The Guaporé originates in the Serra dos Parecis mountains in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, and its course takes it past the city of Mato Grosso as it winds its way north-northwestward. The Guaporé is fed by several rivers, including the São Miguel, Branco, São Simão, Massaco, and Colorado, which all originate in the Guaporé Biological Reserve. This reserve covers an area of 615,771 hectares (1,521,600 acres) and is bordered by the river.

The Guaporé River is an important waterway, navigable all year round along its entire 1,087-mile (1,749-kilometre) course. It is notable for its clear water, which contrasts with the silt-laden waters of the Mamoré River. The Guaporé region is home to a diverse range of inhabitants, including Indian and mestizo settlements along its banks. The area has a rich history, having been the site of numerous frontier conflicts between Spanish and Portuguese colonial powers, as well as their struggles with indigenous groups. This turbulent past is evident in the region's historic sites, such as the Forte Príncipe da Beira, constructed near the confluence of the Guaporé and Mamoré Rivers in the 18th century.

The Guaporé River is also a haven for biodiversity, with about 260 known fish species, 25 of which are endemic to the river basin. The Guaporé's fauna has connections with the Paraguay River, and the two rivers share fish species such as the black phantom tetra and the golden dorado, despite flowing in different directions. The Guaporé's vast length and its role in shaping the international border between Brazil and Bolivia underscore its significance in the geographical, ecological, and cultural landscape of the region.

The Acre River is 680km long and runs through the Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas

The river that separates Bolivia and Brazil is the Acre River, which is 680km (420mi) long and runs through the Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas. The river begins in Peru and runs northeastwards, forming part of the Peru-Brazil border before becoming the border between Bolivia and Brazil. It runs along the Bolivian frontier and flows northeastward to a junction with the Purus River at 8° 45' South latitude.

The Acre River is also known as the Aquiri or Aquiry River and Rio Acre in the local Iñapari language. It is a tributary of the Amazon River and is part of the Amazon system. The river is navigable from its mouth until the Xapuri River (480km or 300mi), and even further during the wet season from January to May. During the rubber boom in the late 19th century, the river was an important transportation route.

The history of the region surrounding the Acre River is marked by conflict between Bolivia and Brazil. Between 1870 and 1888, the region was settled by Peruvians, but in the following decade, it was invaded by Brazilian rubber collectors. The Bolivian government attempted to exert control over the region by establishing a custom house at Puerto Alonso in 1899, leading to a conflict with Brazilian settlers and a boundary dispute. The "Acreanos" declared their independence, but were subdued by Brazil in March 1900. Disorders continued until Brazil occupied Puerto Alonso with a military force.

The border dispute between Bolivia and Brazil was finally settled on November 17, 1903, through the Treaty of Petropolis. Brazil purchased the rubber-producing territory, and Bolivia received territorial compensations, the construction of a railway, freedom of transit by rail and river to the Atlantic Ocean, and a two million-pound compensation.

The Abuna and Acre Rivers form the north border between Bolivia and Brazil

The Acre River, known locally as Rio Acre or Aquiry in the Iñapari language, originates in Peru and flows in a northeastern direction. It runs through the Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas and then along the Bolivian frontier before joining the Purus River at Boca do Acre. The river is an essential transportation route and was historically significant for the rubber trade in the 19th century.

The Abuna River, on the other hand, is a tributary of the Madeira River, which is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. The Madeira River eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Abuna River is part of a vast river basin that covers nearly 8,000,000 km2 (3,120,000 mi2) and includes territories from several South American countries, such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

The border between Bolivia and Brazil extends over a diverse range of terrains, from large urban areas to inhospitable deserts and forests. The length of this international border is approximately 3,423 km, and it begins in the Pantanal region, ending in the Amazon rainforest.

The history of the Bolivia-Brazil border is complex and marked by territorial disputes. The first treaty of limits between the two countries was signed in 1867 without a full understanding of the geographical location of rivers in the Amazon Basin. Over time, negotiations and agreements, such as the Treaty of Petropolis, have been put in place to resolve territorial disputes and establish the borders that exist today.

The Bolivia-Brazil border extends 3,423km from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, to Assis Brasil, Acre

Corumbá, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is the westernmost and northernmost city in the state. It is a significant cultural hub, with a large community of Bolivian-Brazilians due to its proximity to the border. The city has a rich history, having been founded as a military outpost in 1778 and later becoming strategically important for international trade. The Santa Cruz-Corumbá Railway, completed in 1955, further solidified its role as a gateway to the Pantanal region.

Assis Brasil, on the other hand, is a town in the state of Acre, known for its proximity to the tripoint border with Peru and Bolivia. The Brazil-Peru Integration Bridge physically connects Assis Brasil to Iñapari in Peru. The town is also recognised for its ecological significance, as it is home to the Rio Acre Ecological Station, which works to preserve the headwaters of the Acre River.

The Acre River, also known as Aquiry in the local Iñapari language, is a 680-kilometre-long river in central South America. It rises in Peru and flows northeastward, forming part of the border between Peru and Brazil before continuing as the boundary between Bolivia and Brazil. The river has a rich history, having played a crucial role in the rubber trade during the 19th century.

Additionally, the Guaporé River, also known as the Río Iténez in Spanish, flows for 1,260 kilometres, with 920 kilometres of its length demarcating the border between Brazil and Bolivia. The river is part of the Madeira River basin, which eventually feeds into the Amazon River. The Guaporé River is notable for its diverse fish species, with approximately 260 species found in its basin, 25 of which are endemic.

The Guaporé River is the largest tributary of the Mamoré River

The Guaporé River, also known as the Río Iténez in Spanish and the Rio Guaporé in Portuguese, is a significant natural boundary between Brazil and Bolivia. With a total length of 1,260 kilometres (780 miles), an impressive 920 kilometres (570 miles) of the river creates a border between the two countries.

The Guaporé River is indeed the largest tributary of the Mamoré River. The Mamoré River, found in Brazil and Bolivia, joins with the Madre de Dios River to form the Madeira, a substantial tributary of the Amazon River. The Madeira River is formed by the union of the Mamoré and the Guaporé rivers, with the Guaporé being the easternmost tributary of the Mamoré. The Guaporé's connection to the Mamoré is an essential aspect of its geographical significance.

The Guaporé River's source is in the Parecis plateau of Brazil, the same origin point as the Paraguay River, with which it shares several fish species. The Guaporé River is part of the Madeira River basin, which eventually flows into the Amazon River. This river system is an extensive network of waterways that support a diverse range of aquatic life. The Guaporé River itself is home to approximately 260 fish species, with about 25 of these being endemic to the region.

The Guaporé River also plays a role in conservation. It forms the boundary of the vast Guaporé Biological Reserve, covering 615,771 hectares (1,521,600 acres). The reserve's rivers feed the Guaporé, including the São Miguel, Branco, São Simão, Massaco, and Colorado rivers. The Guaporé River's ecological significance extends beyond the reserve, as it is an essential waterway for transportation and commerce in the region.

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