Potengi River
Encyclopedia
The Potenji River meaning "river of the shrimps" in Tupi
, is the principal river
in the state of Rio Grande do Norte
(Brazil
). Its delta, that discharges in the coastline of Natal
, was soon discovered by the first colonists that used to penetrate into the territory with their vessels. They named the river Rio Grande (which means "Big River" in English) because of its large channel and extension, being the origin of the name of the "capitania hereditária
" (administrative division of Brazil during the colonial period whose possession was inherited by the descendants) of Rio Grande do Norte of that time.
The river's wellspring is located at the municipality of Cerro Corá
and its waterfall is located at the city of Natal
, where it discharges into the Atlantic Ocean
.
In Natal, the river marks the division between the North Region and the rest of the city.
Tupian languages
The Tupi or Tupian language family comprises some 70 languages spoken in South America, of which the best known are Tupi proper and Guarani.-History, members and classification:...
, is the principal river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the state of Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte is one of the states of Brazil, located in the northeastern region of the country, occupying the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. Because of its geographic position, Rio Grande do Norte has a strategic importance. The capital and largest city is Natal...
(Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
). Its delta, that discharges in the coastline of Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
, was soon discovered by the first colonists that used to penetrate into the territory with their vessels. They named the river Rio Grande (which means "Big River" in English) because of its large channel and extension, being the origin of the name of the "capitania hereditária
Captaincy
A captaincy is a historical administrative division of the former Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires. Each was governed by a captain general.-In the Portuguese Empire:...
" (administrative division of Brazil during the colonial period whose possession was inherited by the descendants) of Rio Grande do Norte of that time.
The river's wellspring is located at the municipality of Cerro Corá
Cerro Corá, Rio Grande do Norte
Cerro Corá is a municipality in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. In the 2003 IBGE, it reported an estimated population of 10,935 inhabitants. The municipality covers a total area of 394 km²....
and its waterfall is located at the city of Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
, where it discharges into the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
In Natal, the river marks the division between the North Region and the rest of the city.