Which River Is Known As The ‘River Of Five Colours’?

There are about 165 major river basins on Earth, each helping to support life. The Nile is the longest river at 6,650 km, while the Amazon is the largest and widest, carrying 20% of the world's freshwater.

Many rivers have special nicknames. For example, the Yellow River is called the "Cradle of Chinese Civilisation", and the Danube is known as the "River of Kings". Still, out of all these rivers, one is famous for its magical beauty. 

In this article, we’ll explore a hidden wonder. Have you heard of the river called the "River of Five Colours"?

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Which River is known as the River of Five Colours?

Caño Cristales in Colombia is often called the "River of Five Colours" or the "Liquid Rainbow". This beautiful river starts in the Serranía de la Macarena mountains. It winds through rocky canyons and natural pools before flowing into the Guayabero River.

Unlike many large rivers that cross borders, this river stays completely within Colombia. Most of the year, it looks ordinary, but from July to November, it changes dramatically.

During these months, bright red, yellow, green, blue, and black colors appear in the water. This amazing sight is caused by a special aquatic plant called Macarenia clavigera that grows on the riverbed.

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10 Fascinating Facts About the Liquid Rainbow

• The brilliant red hue is produced by the Macarenia clavigera plant, which changes color based on sunlight exposure.
• The water is exceptionally clear because it lacks the nutrients and tiny particles usually found in tropical rivers.
• Due to a lack of nutrients and sediment, almost no fish species can survive in these waters.
• The river flows over rocks that are approximately 1.2 billion years old, making it a very ancient geological site.
• The colors only appear during the brief window between the wet and dry seasons when the water level is just right.
• If the plants receive too much or too little sunlight, they will turn green or brown instead of bright red.
• To keep the water pure, visitors are often forbidden from wearing sunscreen or insect repellent while swimming.
• Because the riverbed is solid rock, the water remains clear even after heavy rain since there is no mud to stir up.
• The river features "giant’s kettles," which are perfectly circular pits formed by hard rocks swirling in the current.
• The area was closed to the public for many years and is only accessible by flying into the small town of La Macarena.

Why Caño Cristales Is Called the Rainbow River

Source: BBC

Caño Cristales becomes known as the "Liquid Rainbow" because of a unique biological process involving a special aquatic plant and the right environmental conditions. Here’s how it happens:

• The main reason for the river’s bright colors is a local aquatic plant called Macarenia clavigera. Unlike algae or moss, this tough riverweed grows attached to the rocks on the riverbed.
• From July to November, the plant changes how it grows. It makes more carotenoids, the pigments that give carrots their orange color, to protect itself from strong tropical sunlight.
• The plants create the river’s bright red and pink colors, but other shades come from the surroundings. Green is from aquatic mosses, yellow from sandy areas, blue from the sky’s reflection in the clear water, and black from old rocks.
• The river’s water has very few nutrients or minerals, which means it is very clear. Because there is little sediment, sunlight can reach the plants easily and help create the river’s rainbow colors.

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Conclusion

Caño Cristales is a stunning natural wonder that shows just how magical our planet can be. Called the River of Five Colours, its beauty comes from a special mix of sunlight, clear water, and the Macarenia clavigera plant.

The "Liquid Rainbow" attracts tourists and is also a fascinating natural wonder that scientists are still exploring. Protecting this river will help future generations enjoy its bright colors too.

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