BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO SÃO FRANCISCO | EF07GE11 | EF06GE12 | ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

Summary

The São Francisco River basin, spanning 640,000 km² across Brazil, is a vital water source for multiple regions, including the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. Known as 'the Old Chico,' it supports diverse ecosystems and human activities like agriculture, fishing, and energy production. However, the basin faces significant environmental threats, including urbanization, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable farming practices. The river’s importance is further highlighted by the controversial transposition project. This video provides an in-depth look at the river's role in Brazil’s economy and the urgent need to address its environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The São Francisco River Basin covers 640,000 square kilometers, representing 8% of Brazil's territory and spans across the Southeast, Central-West, and Northeast regions.
• 😀 The São Francisco River, also known as 'Velho Chico' or 'River of National Integration,' originates in the Serra da Canastra in Minas Gerais at an altitude of 1,200 meters.
• 😀 The river flows through multiple states: Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Sergipe, and it has 158 tributaries, some originating in Tocantins and the Federal District.
• 😀 The São Francisco River's hydrological regime is primarily perennial, meaning it has water year-round, even during drought periods in the semi-arid regions of Northeast Brazil.
• 😀 The river traverses diverse climates, from humid in its upper course to semi-arid in its lower course, impacting ecosystems like the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes.
• 😀 The São Francisco River Basin connects over 520 municipalities and serves multiple purposes including water supply for cities, livestock watering, fishing, recreation, agriculture irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
• 😀 Hydroelectric plants are a significant feature of the basin, with key plants such as Três Marias, Queimado, Paulo Afonso, Sobradinho, and Moxotó providing substantial electricity generation for the country.
• 😀 Despite its importance in energy generation, the São Francisco Basin faces numerous socio-environmental challenges, including urbanization, industrial waste, deforestation, and unsustainable agriculture practices.
• 😀 Environmental issues like erosion, siltation, illegal mining, and unregulated fishing are contributing to the degradation of the river and its ecosystems.
• 😀 The São Francisco River is the central element of one of Brazil’s most ambitious engineering projects, the river's transposition, which has been controversial since its inception in 2017.

Q & A

What is the main river of the São Francisco River Basin known as?

The main river of the São Francisco River Basin is commonly referred to as 'Velho Chico' or 'River of National Integration'.

How large is the São Francisco River Basin?

The São Francisco River Basin covers an area of approximately 640,000 square kilometers, which is about 8% of Brazil's total territory.

Which regions of Brazil does the São Francisco River Basin cover?

The São Francisco River Basin spans across the Southeast, Central-West, and Northeast regions of Brazil.

Where does the São Francisco River originate?

The São Francisco River originates in the Serra da Canastra in the state of Minas Gerais, at an altitude of 1,200 meters.

What are the climatic zones along the course of the São Francisco River?

The São Francisco River flows through areas with different climates: humid climate in the upper course, arid climate in the middle course, and semi-arid climate in the lower course.

How many tributaries does the São Francisco River have, and where do they originate?

The São Francisco River has 158 tributaries, some of which originate in the states of Tocantins and the Federal District.

What is the hydrological regime of the São Francisco River?

The São Francisco River has a perennial hydrological regime, meaning it maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year, even during dry periods in the Brazilian Northeast.

What are some major uses of the São Francisco River?

The São Francisco River is used for various purposes, including water supply for livestock and urban areas, irrigation, fishing, recreation, and notably, hydroelectric power generation.

What are some of the environmental challenges facing the São Francisco River?

The São Francisco River faces significant environmental challenges such as uncontrolled urbanization, industrial waste, deforestation, erosion, soil deposition, illegal mining, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

What is the significance of the São Francisco River for the Northeast region of Brazil?

The São Francisco River is vital for the Northeast region of Brazil, providing water for various socio-economic activities, including agriculture, energy production, and urban water supply, but it also faces numerous environmental threats.