Kourou (river)

The Kourou (French pronunciation: [kuru]) is a river in French Guiana, discharging into the Atlantic Ocean. It is 144 km (89 mi) long.[1] The town of Kourou is located at its estuary, which is generally used as a pleasure port.

Kourou
American black vultures on the shore of the Kourou River
Location
Country	French Guiana
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Amazon Rainforest
Mouth	Atlantic Ocean
• coordinates	5°9′10″N 52°37′45″W
Length	144 km (89 mi)
Basin size	2,000 km2 (770 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	3,000 m3/s (110,000 cu ft/s)

Like the river Amazon, it has brown, muddy waters due to sediments picked up from the forest. A great many different fish species live in the river and are used in the local diet.

Like many Guyanaise rivers, it is polluted by mercury, as a result of clandestine gold mining.