What is the longest river in Chile?
The Río Loa is Chile's longest river at 443 km long. This waterway originates in the Andes mountain range, crosses the Atacama Desert, and flows into the Pacific Ocean.
The Río Loa, main river of Chile
The Río Loa stands out as the longest watercourse in Chilean territory with its 443 kilometers. This length may seem modest compared to the world's great rivers, but it reflects the particular geography of Chile, a narrow country wedged between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean.
Its course through the country
The river follows a remarkable route:
- Source: Andes mountain range, in the high plateaus of northern Chile
- Crossing: Atacama Desert, the most arid region in the world
- Mouth: Pacific Ocean, near Calama
Key points
The relatively short length of Chilean watercourses is explained by the elongated shape of the country (4,300 km long by 180 km wide on average). Rivers therefore have only a short distance to travel between the Andes and the Pacific.