Hydrographic regions are territorial portions that encompass a hydrographic basin or a set of basins with similar natural and socioeconomic characteristics. The Southeast Atlantic Hydrographic Region is one of the twelve hydrographic regions in Brazil, according to the classification carried out by the National Water Resources Council (CNRH).
With an area of 229 thousand square kilometers, the Southeast Atlantic Hydrographic Region is present in territories of the four states of the Southeast region of Brazil (Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), as well as a small portion of the coastal zone of Paraná.
This hydrographic region is home to a large population contingent – more than 25.6 million people. Another highlight is the concentration of industries and the carrying out of mechanized agricultural activities. These characteristics make the consumption of water very high, however, the availability is small to supply all the demand.
The average flow of the Southeast Atlantic Hydrographic Region corresponds to approximately 2.1% of the country's total. The main rivers are the Paraíba do Sul, with a length of 1,150 kilometers, and the Doce, which runs for a distance of 853 kilometers. Other rivers of great importance are: Jacu, Itapemirim, Ribeira de Iguape, São Mateus, among others.
The Southeast Atlantic Hydrographic Region presents coastal landscapes, Atlantic forest (largely deforested) and mangroves. The main problems registered are the irregular occupation of the soil and slopes, removal of the forest ciliary, in addition to the intense water pollution caused by the release of effluents without due treatment.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
Southeast region - geography of Brazil - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/brasil/regiao-hidrografica-atlantico-sudeste.htm
