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Grande River

river, Brazil
Also known as: Rio Grande

Grande River, river, south-central Brazil. It rises in the Mantiqueira Mountains almost in sight of Rio de Janeiro city and descends inland, west-northwestward, in many falls and rapids. Its lower course marks a portion of the Minas Gerais–SĂŁo Paulo border. At the Mato Grosso do Sul state border, after a course of 845 miles (1,360 km), it joins the ParanaĂ­ba River to form the Alto (Upper) ParanĂĄ River. The MĂĄrimbondo Waterfalls, 35 miles (56 km) north of SĂŁo JosĂ© do Rio PrĂȘto, have hydroelectric potential. The Grande is navigable for about 130 miles (210 km) above the falls.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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