Magdalena River

The Magdalena River (Spanish: Río Magdalena, Spanish pronunciation: [ˈri.o maɣðaˈlena]; less commonly Rio Grande de la Magdalena) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about 1,528 kilometres (949 mi) through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of its lower reaches, in spite of the shifting sand bars at the mouth of its delta, as far as Honda, at the downstream base of its rapids. It flows through the Magdalena River Valley.

Magdalena
The delta of the Magdalena River
Map of the Magdalena River watershed
EtymologyBiblical figure Mary Magdalene
Location
CountryColombia
Cities
Physical characteristics
SourceLa Magdalena lagoon
  locationColombian Massif, Colombia
  coordinates1°56′3″N 76°36′29″W
  elevation3,685 m (12,090 ft)
MouthCaribbean Sea
  location
Barranquilla, Colombia
  coordinates
11°7′0″N 74°51′0″W
  elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length1,528 km (949 mi)
Basin size257,438 km2 (99,397 sq mi) to 271,807 km2 (104,945 sq mi)
Discharge 
  locationCalamar, Bolívar
  average(Period: 1975–1995)7,200 m3/s (250,000 cu ft/s) (Period: 1991–2020)8,058 m3/s (284,600 cu ft/s)
  minimum2,000 m3/s (71,000 cu ft/s)
  maximum12,000 m3/s (420,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  leftPáez, Saldaña, La Miel, Nare, Cauca, San Jorge
  rightCabrera, Bogotá, Negro, Carare, Sogamoso, Cesar
Official nameSistema Delta Estuarino del Río Magdalena, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta
Designated18 June 1998
Reference no.951

Its drainage basin covers a surface of 273,000 square kilometres (105,000 sq mi), which is 24% of the country's area and where 66% of its population lives.

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