Grijalva River, Main river system in southeastern Mexico.
The Grijalva River flows for 700 kilometers from the Cuchumatanes Mountains in Guatemala to the Gulf of Mexico, crossing the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. The river passes through several large dams that generate electricity and winds through tropical lowlands and mountainous regions.
Juan de Grijalva reached the river mouth on June 8, 1518, giving the waterway its present name. The Maya Chontal who lived in the region had already known the river under the name Tabasco.
Along the riverbanks near Villahermosa, walkways invite evening strolls where locals gather to enjoy the breeze and watch the water flow. Families use these paths as meeting points to share time together in the open air beside the current.
Several dams like La Angostura generate power along the course and offer viewing points at some locations to observe the engineering and landscape. Access to the riverbanks is often easiest near larger towns where paths follow the water.
At its mouth, the river forms wide wetlands called Pantanos de Centla, where it merges with the Usumacinta before both reach the sea. These swamp landscapes provide habitat for many bird species and other animals adapted to the watery world.
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