Caroni River (Trinidad and Tobago)
Encyclopedia
The Caroni River is the largest river in Trinidad and Tobago
, running for 40 km (24.9 mi) from its origins in the Northern Range
on the island of Trinidad
, through the northern lowlands of the Caroni Plains and enters the Gulf of Paria
at the Caroni Swamp
.
The Caroni and its tributaries drain one of the most densely populated part of Trinidad, the "East-West Corridor
", and also provides most of its drinking water through the Caroni-Arena Dam. Point and non-point pollution
is thus a major concern, as is the deforestation
of its watershed on the southern slopes of the Northern Range. The banks of the Caroni River are one of the two main sites for Hindu
cremations.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, running for 40 km (24.9 mi) from its origins in the Northern Range
Northern Range
The Northern Range is the range of tall hills across the northern portion of Trinidad, the major island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The hills rise abruptly from the lowlands of northern Trinidad , but only the two tallest peaks, El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche top 900 m...
on the island of Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, through the northern lowlands of the Caroni Plains and enters the Gulf of Paria
Gulf of Paria
The Gulf of Paria is a shallow inland sea between the island of Trinidad and the east coast of Venezuela. This sheltered body of water is considered to be one of the best natural harbours on the Atlantic coast of the Americas...
at the Caroni Swamp
Caroni Swamp
342px|thumb|Cook's Tree Boa in Caroni SwampThe Caroni Swamp is the largest mangrove wetland in Trinidad and Tobago. It is located on the west coast of Trinidad, south of Port of Spain and northwest of Chaguanas, where the Caroni River meets the Gulf of Paria....
.
The Caroni and its tributaries drain one of the most densely populated part of Trinidad, the "East-West Corridor
East-West Corridor
The East-West Corridor is the built-up area of north Trinidad stretching from the capital, Port of Spain, 15 miles east to Arima. The term was coined by economist and political philosopher Lloyd Best, after gleaning the works of a technocrat named Lynette Attwell. The Corridor includes such towns...
", and also provides most of its drinking water through the Caroni-Arena Dam. Point and non-point pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
is thus a major concern, as is the deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
of its watershed on the southern slopes of the Northern Range. The banks of the Caroni River are one of the two main sites for Hindu
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
cremations.