Meeting of the Waters - Brazil

hen I 1st saw this card I thought it was a painting but then looked closer and realized it depicts the Encontro das Aguas - Meeting of the Waters, a phenomenon that occurs at the confluence between the dark (blackwater) Rio Negro and the pale sandy-colored (whitewater) Amazon River, referred to as the Solimões River in Brazil upriver of this confluence. For 6 km the waters of the two rivers run side by side without mixing.

This is one of the main attractions and one of the most spectacular views of the city of Manaus, where the beauty and majesty of nature Amazon is object of admiration.

Not only are the waters meet in Manaus, some postcrossers have also met there last month. Luzia sent me this card signed by two other postcrossers.

 

Photo: Herivelto Costa

This phenomenon provides an unforgettable experience. It occurs due to the different temperatures, densities and flows of rivers: the Rio Negro is about 2 km/h and a temperature of 22 ° C, while Rio Solimões runs from 4 to 6 km/h with a temperature of 28 ° C. The light-colored water is rich with sediment from the Andes Mountains, whereas the black water, running from the Colombian hills and interior jungles, is nearly sediment-free and colored by decayed leaf and plant matter.
Traveling to the Encontro das Aguas in a small boat is a unique experience, people can put their hands in the water, and feel the temperature change of both rivers.