THE Paraíba do Sul River Basin is one of the hydrographic basins in Brazil. It receives this name since its main river is the Paraíba do Sul, one of the most important in the southeast region. It is inserted in the region of the Southeast Atlantic Watershed.
Location of the Paraíba do Sul River Basin
Characteristics and Importance
With an approximate area of 60 thousand km2 in extension, the Paraíba do Sul River Basin is located in the southeast region of Brazil, covering the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais.
The main river, Paraíba do Sul, has an approximate length of 1,130 km and arises from the confluence of the Paraibuna and Paraitinga rivers. It is born in the state of São Paulo, in the so-called Serra da Bocaina, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
It is located in the most developed and most populous region of the country and, therefore, has great socioeconomic importance. It supplies water to the localities in which it operates, especially to the metropolitan regions of the states. This totals about 14 million people spread across 185 municipalities.
In addition to supplying the cities, the rivers that make up the basin are used for irrigation and electricity generation. Some hydroelectric plants are installed in the region, among which the following stand out: Usina de Paraibuna, Usina de Santa Branca and Usina Funil.
The Biome present in the Paraíba do Sul River basin region, the Atlantic forest, has been suffering from several environmental problems which reflect on the region's development.
Problems such as deforestation and the release of sewage into rivers, caused mainly by urbanization and industrialization, have led to a decrease in plant and animals, in addition to the pollution of rivers and water scarcity that the region has been experiencing, since the rains captured in recent years are below the average.
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rivers
The main rivers that make up the Paraíba do Sul Basin are:
- Rio Paraíba do Sul
- Paraibuna River
- Paraitinga River
- Jaguari River
- Buquira River
- dove river
- Rio Preto
- clear river
- Piabanha River
- Piagui River
- Muriaé River
- Parateí River
- Piraí River
- River One
- Piracuama River
