Roosevelt River
Encyclopedia
The Roosevelt River is a Brazil
ian river. It begins in the state of Rondônia
and winds for about 400 miles (640 km) until it joins the Aripuanã River
, which then flows into the Madeira River
, thence into the Amazon
.
, who traveled into the central region of Brazil during the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition
of 1913–14. Roosevelt, with Brazil's most famous explorer and the river's discoverer, Cândido Rondon
, sought to determine where and by which course the river flowed into the Amazon.
Roosevelt and his son Kermit
undertook the adventure after the former U.S. president's failed attempt to regain the office as the "Bull Moose" candidate in 1912. The Roosevelt-Rondon expedition was the first non Amazonian-native party to travel and record what Rondon had named the "Rio da Dúvida", then one of the most unexplored and intimidating tributaries of the Amazon. Sections of the river have impassable rapids and waterfalls, which hindered the expedition.
Roosevelt later wrote Through the Brazilian Wilderness recounting the adventure. After Roosevelt returned doubts were raised on his account of the expedition. Roosevelt promptly rebutted them in a public forum in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the National Geographic Society
. In 1927 American explorer George Miller Dyott
led a second trip down the river, independently confirming Roosevelt's discoveries.
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...
ian river. It begins in the state of Rondônia
Rondônia
Rondônia is a state in Brazil, located in the north-western part of the country. To the west is a short border with the state of Acre, to the north is the state of Amazonas, in the east is Mato Grosso, and in the south is Bolivia. Its capital is Porto Velho. The state was named after Candido Rondon...
and winds for about 400 miles (640 km) until it joins the Aripuanã River
Aripuanã River
Aripuanã River is a river of Amazonas and Mato Grosso states in north-western Brazil.-See also:*List of rivers of Amazonas*List of rivers of Mato Grosso-References:*...
, which then flows into the Madeira River
Madeira River
The Madeira River is a major waterway in South America, approximately 3,250 km miles long The Madeira is the biggest tributary of the Amazon...
, thence into the Amazon
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
.
History and exploration
Formerly called Rio da Dúvida (“River of Doubt”), the river is named after Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, who traveled into the central region of Brazil during the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition
Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition
The Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition was jointly led by Theodore Roosevelt and Cândido Rondon in 1913–1914 to be the first explorers of the 1000-mile long "River of Doubt" located in a remote area of the Brazilian Amazon basin...
of 1913–14. Roosevelt, with Brazil's most famous explorer and the river's discoverer, Cândido Rondon
Cândido Rondon
Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, or Marechal Rondon was a Brazilian military officer who is most famous for his exploration of Mato Grosso and the Western Amazon Basin, and his lifelong support of Brazilian indigenous populations...
, sought to determine where and by which course the river flowed into the Amazon.
Roosevelt and his son Kermit
Kermit Roosevelt
Kermit Roosevelt I MC was a son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. He was an explorer on two continents with his father, a graduate of Harvard University, a soldier serving in two world wars, with both the British and U.S. Armies, a businessman, and a writer...
undertook the adventure after the former U.S. president's failed attempt to regain the office as the "Bull Moose" candidate in 1912. The Roosevelt-Rondon expedition was the first non Amazonian-native party to travel and record what Rondon had named the "Rio da Dúvida", then one of the most unexplored and intimidating tributaries of the Amazon. Sections of the river have impassable rapids and waterfalls, which hindered the expedition.
Roosevelt later wrote Through the Brazilian Wilderness recounting the adventure. After Roosevelt returned doubts were raised on his account of the expedition. Roosevelt promptly rebutted them in a public forum in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
. In 1927 American explorer George Miller Dyott
George Miller Dyott
George Miller Dyott was an American pioneer aviator and explorer of the Amazon.-Biography:Dyott was born in New York to a British father and American mother. He test piloted planes not long after the Wright brothers, and was one of the first pilots ever to fly at night...
led a second trip down the river, independently confirming Roosevelt's discoveries.