The Corentyne / Courantyne / Corantijn River is a river in northern South America

South America

South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

 in the country of Suriname

Suriname

Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...

, it is the longest river in the state. The river originates in the Acarai Mountains

Acarai Mountains

The Acarai Mountains are a wet, forested highland region of low mountains located in the southern part of Guyana. This range lies along the common border between Guyana and Brazil. The Acarai Mountains is one of four mountain ranges in Guyana, the others being the Imataka, Kanuku and Pakaraima...

 and flows northward for approximately 724 km (449.9 mi) between Guyana and Suriname

Suriname

Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...

, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...

 near Corriverton

Corriverton

Corriverton is the most easterly town in Guyana. It lies at the mouth of the Corentyne River, opposite Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname, to which it is linked by ferry from South Drain....

, Guyana and Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname. A ferry service operates between these two towns.

The Guyana / Suriname border is the Guyanese river bank (the west bank of the river), but Guyana disputes this, based on the Thalweg Doctrine. The tribunal that defined the maritime boundary between Suriname and Guyana in 2007 confirmed Surinamese sovereignty over the full width of the Courantyne River.

Small ocean-going vessels are able to navigate the river for about 90km, to Apura, Suriname.

Waterfalls

The Wonotobo Falls, Frederik Willem IV (Anora) Falls, and the King George VI Falls

King George VI Falls

King George VI Falls, also known as Salto Oshi, is located on the Oshi River in eastern Guyana. Its height has often been reported to be 1,600 feet, and that figure has been published many times over several decades, but it is greatly exaggerated...

 are on the Courantyne river. Other falls include the Barrington Brown Falls

Barrington Brown Falls

Barrington Brown Falls is a waterfall on the Corentyne River, Guyana, approximately 250 km south of Orealla....

 and the Drios Falls.