Manaus Ágil tourism and culture of AmazonasO Meeting of the waters is a natural phenomenon caused by the confluence of the dark waters of the Negro River with the muddy waters of the Solimões River. For a length of over 6 km, the waters of the two rivers flow side by side without mixing initially, before being transformed into the gigantic Amazon River.
Photo: Ingrid Anne
This phenomenon occurs due to the difference in composition, the rate of acidity, temperature, density of the waters, and also the speed of their currents.
The Rio Negro flows about 2 km/h at an average temperature of 28ºC, and has a high degree of acidity, with pH 3.8 to 4.9, while the Rio Solimões flows 4 to 6 km/h at an average temperature of 22ºC, colder than the Rio Negro, and has a muddy color because of the large amount of sediments the water carries when flowing under the Andes.
The contrast of colors is very great, and this phenomenon can even be seen from space.
The Meeting of the Waters is a mandatory stop for every tourist who goes to the Amazon capital. During the tour you can feel, with your hands, the difference in temperature between the Solimões, which is cold, and the Negro, which is warmer, and observe the porpoises that frequently appear along the way. The tours also passes by floating restaurants with typical food from the Amazon region.
The Encounter of the Waters of the Negro and Solimões Rivers, is listed as a Brazilian cultural heritage site by the National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) due to its high archaeological, ethnographic and landscape value.
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