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São Francisco River Facts & Worksheets

The São Francisco River is a river in Brazil that is one of the longest rivers in South America.

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The São Francisco River is the longest river that runs entirely in the Brazilian region. It is the fourth largest river in South America.

See the fact file below for more information on São Francisco River or alternatively, you can download our 27-page São Francisco River worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Etymology

  • The river got its name from Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian Catholic monk who is known as Francesco in his ministry.
  • The river was discovered by Europeans on October 4, 1501, which is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.
  • Prior to colonization, indigenous peoples used to call the river the “Opara” in the Natú language and “Kaleshí” in the Tuxá language.
  • Both languages are now extinct.
  • The river is now known by its nickname “Velho Chico” which means “Old Frank.”

River Sections

  • The river runs through five states in the Brazilian territory.
  • It is divided into four sections: the high part, the upper middle part, the lower middle part, and the low part.
  • The high part runs from its source to the municipality of Pirapora in north-central Minas Gerais.
  • The upper middle part then begins from Pirapora and goes up to the municipality of Remanso in the state of Bahia, then ends at the Sobradinho Dam.
  • The lower middle part runs from the Sobradinho dam to Paulo Afonso, Bahia then ends at the Itaparica Dam.
  • The low part starts at the Itaparica Dam and ends at the river’s mouth on the Atlantic Ocean.

History

  • The river was first discovered by Italian explorer and merchant Amerigo Vespucci on October 5, 1501.
  • In 1865, the course of the river was further explored by the British diplomat ad explorer Richard Francis Burton.
  • Burton canoed down São Francisco from the river source to the falls of Paulo Afonso in Bahia, Brazil.
  • Languages once spoken in São Francisco are now extinct, such as Tuxá, Truká, Natú, and Kariri, among others.

Cultiral Significance

  • The São Francisco river is greatly significant in Brazilian folklore and history.
  • The legends surrounding the São Francisco River are celebrated through song.
  • Even now, stories are being passed on about demons and evil spirits residing in the river.
  • Souvenirs are also made available that are based on the carrancas, a figurehead attached to river craft, or on the prow of gaiola boats as a means to protect boatmen and scare away the river’s evil spirits.
  • Replica souvenirs and miniatures are available in tourist shops in the area.
  • The river is close to the historic town of Piranhas where restored historical buildings are located.
  • Piranhas is one of the tourist attractions near the river.

Navigability

  • The São Francisco River is naturally navigable throughout the year from Purapora to the twin cities of Petrolina and Juazeiro.
  • The depth of the river largely depends on the rainfall. 
  • The navigable stretch is divided into three substretches: from Pirapora to Pilão Arcado; from Pilão Arcado to the Sobradinho Dam; and from the Sobradinho Dam to Petrolina and Juazeiro.
  • The São Francisco was routinely navigated by a gaiola, which is a type of passenger boat that is a paddle-wheel steamboat.
  • Gaiola is Portuguese for “cage.”
  • The use of gaiolas date back to the time of the American Civil War.
  • The strong waves and currents made traveling through the lake much more difficult for gaiolas. 
  • Another reason for decreased navigability is the excessive agricultural use of the upper-course part of the São Francisco river and its tributaries.

Tributaries

  • Towards the river, water comes in from a total 168 of tributaries, both rivers and streams included.
  • The main tributaries are the Paraopeba River, Abaeté River, Das Velhas River, Jequitaí River, Paracatu River, Urucuia River, Verde Grande River, Carinhanha River, Corrente River, and Grande River.
    • The Paraopeba River got its name from the Tupi words “para” meaning “great river” and “peba” meaning “flat.”
    • The Das Velhas River is the major tributary of the basin of the São Francisco river.
    • The Paracatu River is the longest tributary of São Francisco.
    • The Verde Grande River creates the boundary with Bahia state in its lowest parts.
    • The Grande River is more popularly known as the Rio Grande which means “great river” in Portuguese.

Surrounding Towns

  • There are a few towns that lie on the river, but in general, the region where the river is located is thinly populated.
  • The river passes by Pirapora, São Francisco, Januária, Bom Jesus da Lapa, Petrolina and Juazeiro, and Paulo Afonso. 
  • The twin cities of Petrolina and Juazeiro are the most populated as they have flourished because of fruit farming.

São Francisco River Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about São Francisco River across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the São Francisco River which is the longest river that runs entirely in the Brazilian region. It is the fourth largest river in South America.

  • São Francisco River
  • São Francisco River
  • São Francisco River
  • São Francisco River

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • São Francisco River Facts
  • Fast Facts
  • All About Brazil
  • Modified Fact or Bluff
  • Main Tributaries
  • River Origins
  • Odd One Out
  • My Carrancas Design
  • Word Jumble
  • Rio Collage
  • São Francisco Review

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Link will appear as São Francisco River Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 12, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.