Tietê River, Major river in São Paulo state, Brazil
This river rises in the Serra do Mar mountains and flows over 1150 kilometers until reaching the Paraná. On its way it crosses several major cities and farming regions of São Paulo state before turning westward.
During the 18th century this waterway served as a main route for expeditions setting off from Aritaguaba port toward mines further inland. The dams appeared later in the 20th century and transformed the natural flow of the river.
This waterway carries a name from the Tupi language that refers to the many waterfalls once marking its course. Today it flows through cities and industrial zones where its banks became paths for daily commuters.
Several dams interrupt the flow today and create reservoirs that together form over 1100 kilometers of navigable routes. Along the banks there are parks in some sections and more industrialized stretches in others.
The source lies just a few kilometers from the Atlantic yet the river immediately turns westward and flows inland. This reverse course makes it one of the few Brazilian waterways moving away from the coast.
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