In the wilds of the rainforests of southern Venezuela, between two sloping cliffs, the Casikyare water stream originates. The river has a tropical type. It branches off from the huge reservoir of South America - Orinoco, and flows into the no less large and famous stream - the Amazon. This is precisely its main feature. This is the only natural canal in the world that crosses the watershed and connects the largest systems. The Casikyare River stretches for 326 km, and its width closer to the mouth reaches 533 m. The flow velocity is from 0.3 m / s to 3.6 m / s, depending on the season and location.
River discovery
The history of the discovery and the name of the river is fraught with much confusion and controversy over more than a hundred years. For the first time, Spanish missionaries who looted in these places in search of a gold mine started talking about this pond. In the 40s of the 16th century, the Spanish priest Akunya also reported on the connecting channel between the streams, but no one took his words seriously. In the following decades, the Casikyare River was opened by many expeditions, but no special studies took place. It was only at the beginning of the 19th century that a large-scale ten-day expedition was led by Alexander von Humboldt and the botanist Aime Bonplan, who proved the connection of rivers with a natural channel. There is still an opinion that the water bridge between the largest streams of South America is far from natural origin. There is a version that this is the result of the efforts of the oldest inhabitants of this area.
The Legend of Manoa
Most tourists come to these places in order to visit the place of bifurcation of rivers. They are also attracted by legends, adventures and the jungle, which are so famous throughout the world. Many agree to go all the way to the conquistadors who once searched for the territory of the Incas.
The most famous and respected legend is about Manoa. According to historical references, it can be argued that jewels and gold could be located at the location of the river. It is because of them that Casikyare is a cemetery for a huge number of tribes and civilizations.
The world
The Casikyare River has a huge amount of mineral components and nutrients, which gives it a dirty yellow color. Ponds of this type are called white. They are literally teeming with various insects and aquatic creatures. On the tropical banks of the river you can find wide-nosed and arachnid monkeys, sloths, anteaters, some predators from the cat family, porcupines, poisonous snakes and lizards. Crocodiles are often found in Kasikyar itself.
Rest on the river
The Casikyare River has all the parameters for sports and amateur fishing. Catching vertebrates in the waters of Orinoco, as well as in its branch, is considered one of the best in the world. Numerous species of fish attract both private fishermen and industrialists.
Casikjare attracts many tourists with its uniqueness, endless legends and romance of treasure seekers. Legends tell of an ancient shaman who, in one of his rituals of sacrifice to the sun god, threw gold and other jewels into lakes, not far from the Amazon.
The tourist business on the river is developing every year, which is reflected in the construction of ever new recreation centers on the banks. That is why the Casikyare River for tourists will seem the best place in the world. You can either travel along the picturesque canal by boat, or climb the nearby mountain peaks to see the river bifurcation from a height.
Thanks to the impenetrable tropical jungle, saturated with several thousand different species of plants, the landscape on the banks of the water stream offers an unforgettable experience. Exotic rubber trees, Inga plants, papaya, palm trees - all this is unlikely to leave indifferent.