HYDROGRAPHIC SLOPE: WHAT ARE THERE IN SPAIN AND AMERICA? - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

A watershed, from a hydrological point of view, includes a series of basins whose rivers - plus their tributaries - flow into the same point. The route of the waters ends in the sea or in other internal sources. The term slope refers to a geomorphological structure.

This structure is characterized by being on an inclined surface that allows the flow of water and its route through settlements and populations. The slopes can be inclined or flat, they are generally located on rocky soils, have varied vegetation and fauna, and depend on the use and exploitation that human beings give them.

The study of rivers and their characteristics is of great importance, since it helps to understand the properties and advantages of these structures based on the use that man can give them to guarantee a better quality of life.

Hydrographic watersheds in Spain

Spain has three types of slopes: Cantabrian, Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Cantabrian slope

It is located in the north of the peninsula, which represents 5% of the total territory. It is comprised of rivers coming from the Basque Country -also called Cantabria-, and the Atlantic. Some features can be named:

- They are short rivers because their route through the geography of the place forces them to have small sections.

- Most of its waters are born in the Cantabrian mountain range, with the exception of the Galician tributaries.

- On average, they have a regular flow.

- They are the most regular rivers in Spain.

- The most relevant rivers are: Bidasoa, Nervión, Pas, Deva, Nalón, Narcea and Eo.

Atlantic slope

The rivers that are in this slope are considered of great importance, since they occupy 60% of the territory. It is located to the north and runs through part of the Guadalquivir depression. Some features to note are the following:

- The flow of these rivers is irregular thanks to their location near the Mediterranean.

- Rivers are born in the vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea to flow into the Atlantic Ocean; this makes them have a more or less long journey.

- The most important rivers are: Guadalete, Miño, Ulla, Duero, Guadiana, Tajo, Odiel, Guadalquivir, Tinto and Tambre.

Mediterranean slope

It is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, occupying 40% of the country. Some features can be named:

- The waters of the rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

- These are generally short rivers, except for the Ebro.

- The sections through which these waters pass do not have too much vegetation due to the geographical accidents that occur.

- The flow is irregular and, in some cases, it can even disappear depending on the season.

- The most important rivers on this slope are: Andarax, Almazora, Segura, Júcar, Turia, Mijares, Ebro, Llobregat, Ter and Fluviá.

Hydrographic watersheds in America

Some authors have determined that the continent has five slopes: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, the Arctic and the Gulf of Mexico.

Pacific slope

Collect the rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean. In general, they are short and mighty rivers, ideal for navigation and for use with the intention of obtaining hydroelectric energy. The main characteristics include the following:

- The mountain range extends from north to south and acts as a dividing line for the rivers found on the continent.

- On the coasts of Peru and Chile both the waters and the climate are cold due to the Humboldt current, formed by winds from the south that drive the cold of the seabed. For this reason, no clouds are formed that promote rain.

The most prominent rivers on this slope are: to the north, the Colorado and the Columbia; in the center, Suchiate, Naranjo, Los Esclavos, Paz, Choluteca, Chiquito, Tempisque, Barranca and Chiriquí. On the other hand, in South America, San Juan, Patía, Mira, Chone, Ica, Pisco, Tambo, Tumbes, Aconcagua, Bío Bío and Maipo stand out.

Atlantic slope

The rivers of this slope flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The main characteristics of this slope are the following:

- It has long and mighty rivers, so the surrounding lands have abundant vegetation and fauna.

- It is estimated that about 40% of the continent's waters are drained there.

- These rivers are born from the mountain ranges and run through part of the plains, depending on where they are.

- The most important rivers are: to the north, San Lorenzo, Hudson, Mississippi, Bravo del Norte and Grande; in the center, Coco, Ulúa, San Juan and Sixaloa; and to the south, Amazonas, Magdalena, Sinú, Catatumbo (Colombia - Venezuela), Orinoco, Casiquiare, Negro, Ucayali, Putumayo, Río De la Plata, Salado, Quequén and Chubut.

Caribbean Sea slope

It makes contact with the Atlantic Ocean and covers part of Central and South America. It is considered one of the largest springs in the world. Its main characteristics are the following:

- Rivers such as Magdalena, Cauca, César, Unare, Tuy, Tocuyo, Chama, Changuinola, Prinzapolca, San Juan, Patuca, Aguán, Ulúa and Dulce flow.

- It is also connected to Lake Cocibolca, in Nicaragua; and with Lake Maracaibo, the largest in South America, located in Venezuela.

Arctic slope

The rivers found in the area intersect and find their origin in the Arctic area. They generally stay frozen most of the year. Its most outstanding characteristics are the following:

- They are not usable because they are almost in a permanent state of freezing.

- The main rivers are the Mackenzie, the Churchill and the Saskatchewan.

Slope of the Gulf of Mexico

It collects the waters of the rivers that are born in the Rocky Mountains, in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Some features to note are:

- The rivers that are in the area cover a network of more than 600 thousand km in length.

- The Bravo, Balsas, Grijalva, Usumancita, Lerma, Nazas and Aguanaval rivers stand out.

Difference between slope and basin

References

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