Biggest Rivers in Brazil

List of Biggest Rivers in Brazil: Due to its geographic location and size, Brazil has some of the biggest rivers in the world. Then introduce yourself…

List of Biggest Rivers in Brazil

Due to its geographical location, close to the tropics, and its size, Brazil has some of the largest rivers in the world. Among them all, the Amazon River stands out, a truly continental river that crosses the whole of South America from the high mountains of the Peruvian Andes to emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, in northern Brazil, after a journey of almost 7,000 km.

10th – Xingu

The 10th largest river in Brazil is the Xingu, a river with 1870 km in length, entirely in Brazilian territory. It rises in the central plateau between the Roncador and Formosa mountains, then runs south-north through the Amazon forest, until it flows into the Amazon near the mouth of the latter.

Xingu

rank Name Source Mouth Length
10 Xingu Mato Grosso amazon 1,870 km

9th – Araguaia

With 2115 km in length, the Araguaia is the ninth largest river in Brazil. It has its source in Goiás, then runs south-north through the Amazon, until it flows into the Tocantins River, the latter one of the tributaries of the Amazon. As a curiosity, in its meanders, it forms with Javaés, the largest river island in the world, Ilha do Bananal.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
9 Araguaia Goiás Tocantins 2,115 km

8th – Paraguay

Paraguay is the 8th longest river in Brazil. It is born in Chapada dos Parecis, in the State of Mato Grosso, and after a 2621 km route, it flows into the Paraná River. In addition to Brazil, Paraguay passes through Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
8 Paraguay Mato Grosso Paraná 2,621 km

7th – Juruá

In seventh position is the Juruá, a river with 2,410 km in length. It rises in the Peruvian Andes, running first to the north, then turning northeast until it flows into the Amazon River in the middle of the Amazon rainforest.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
7 Juruá Peru amazon 2,410 km

6th – Tocantins

With its 2,416 km long, the Tocantins occupies the sixth position in the list of largest rivers in Brazil. It rises in the Serra Dourada, in the state of Goiás, running south-north through the Amazon forest, until it flows into the Amazon near its mouth.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
6 Tocantins Goiás amazon 2,416 km

5th – San Francisco

With 2,863 km in length, the São Francisco is the 5th longest river in Brazil. It has its source in Serra da Canastra in the south of the State of Minas Gerais, running in the northeast direction parallel to the Atlantic coast, then inflecting towards the east to empty into the Atlantic Ocean, in the State of Alagoas.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
5 San Francisco Minas Gerais Atlantic Ocean 2,863 km

4th – Purus

The Purus is the 4th largest river in Brazil, with a length of 3,218 km. It rises in the Peruvian Andes, then runs northeastward through the Amazon, parallel to the Madeira River, emptying into the Amazon just before the city of Manaus.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
4 Purus Peru amazon 3,218 km

3rd – Wood

In third place is the Madeira River, one of the many tributaries of the Amazon River. It rises in the Andes of Bolivia, then runs in a south-north direction, where it receives various designations. It then forms a border between Brazil and Bolivia, later entering Brazilian territory. After a journey of more than 3,300 km, it finally ends up in the Amazon.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
3 wood Bolivia amazon 3,315 km

2nd – Paraná

Paraná occupies the second position in the list of largest rivers in Brazil. It begins at the confluence of the Grande and Paranaíba rivers, and, after nearly 4,000 km, flows into the large estuary called Rio da Prata, in southern Brazil. In addition to Brazil, it passes through Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
two Paraná C. Grande and Paranaíba River of silver 3,998 km

1st – Amazon

With almost 7 thousand km in length, the Amazon is the outstanding leader of the list of largest rivers in Brazil. It rises in the Andes of Peru, passes through Colombia, and crosses the entire north of Brazil until it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the center of a vast river basin that includes much of the Amazon rainforest, making it the largest river in the world in terms of water flow.

rank Name Source Mouth Length
1 amazon Peru Atlantic Ocean 6,992 km

List of Biggest Rivers in Brazil

Below is a list of the largest rivers in Brazil:

Rank Name Source Mouth Length
1 amazon Peru Atlantic Ocean 6,992 km
2 Paraná C. Grande and Paranaíba River of silver 3,998 km
3 wood Bolivia amazon 3,315 km
4 Purus Peru amazon 3,218 km
5 San Francisco Serra da Canasta Atlantic Ocean 2,863 km
6 Tocantins Goiás Atlantic Ocean 2,416 km
7 Juruá Peru amazon 2,410 km
8 Paraguay Chap. of the Parecis Parana River 2,621 km
9 Araguaia Goiás Tacantins River 2,115 km
10 Xingu Mato Grosso amazon 1,870 km
11 parnaíba Serra do Jalapão Atlantic Ocean 1,850 km
12 tapajós Mato Grosso amazon 1,784 km
13 Uruguay C. Canoes and Pelotas River of silver 1,770 km
14 Black Colombia amazon 1,700 km
15 Guaporé Chapada dos Parecis Mamore River 1,749 km
16 Içá (Putumayo) Ecuador amazon 1,645 km
17 big River Minas Gerais Parana River 1,360 km
18 iguaçu C. Iraí and Atuba Parana River 1,320 km
19 iriri Serra do Cachimbo Xingu River 1,300 km
20 Juruena Brazil Tapajos River 1,240 km
21 south paraíba Serra da Bocaina Atlantic Ocean 1,137 km
22 tiete Serra do Mar Parana River 1,010 km