The search for Brazil’s easternmost river focuses on the point where a continental watercourse reaches the ocean at the most easterly longitude. This distinction belongs to the Rio Paraíba do Norte, a river whose estuary is situated in the state of Paraíba.
Identifying the Easternmost River
The geographical designation of Brazil’s easternmost point is Ponta do Seixas, a cape located near the city of João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba. This landmass extends to a longitude of approximately 34°47′34″ West, making it the most easterly point of the entire American double-continent. The determination of the easternmost river hinges on which major water body’s mouth meets the ocean closest to this longitude.
The Rio Paraíba do Norte discharges into the Atlantic Ocean just north of this extreme eastern cape. Its estuary’s coordinates consistently place it as the furthest east among Brazil’s significant river systems. While smaller streams may exist closer to the cape, the Paraíba do Norte represents the major drainage basin that defines this geographical extreme.
The Geographical Path
The Paraíba do Norte River originates in the interior of Paraíba state, specifically within the Borborema Plateau, an elevated region in northeastern Brazil. It flows northeastward, traversing the state before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near the municipality of Cabedelo. The river basin covers approximately 20,000 square kilometers, representing nearly a third of the state’s total area.
Much of the river’s upper course flows through the semi-arid region known as the Cariri, where annual rainfall is low and poorly distributed. This climatic characteristic means that a large portion of the river’s trajectory is naturally intermittent, only flowing continuously during the wet season. The flow regime has also been altered by numerous dams, which manage water resources for the densely populated region. The river’s path extends from its source in the interior to its tidal mouth, where it forms a broad estuary before merging with the ocean.
Local Ecosystem and Significance
The final stretch of the river forms the Estuário do Rio Paraíba do Norte, an extensive tidal system important to the local environment. This estuarine portion includes extensive mangrove forests. These mangroves serve as nurseries for diverse aquatic species and help stabilize the coastline against erosion.
The estuary is home to several small islands, such as Restinga and Stuart, which contribute to the ecological diversity of the area. The region’s biodiversity includes a high richness of fish species, though the environment faces pressures from nearby urban centers. The river has historical and economic importance, supporting the state capital, João Pessoa, and the port activities in Cabedelo. This proximity has also led to environmental degradation and contamination from urban wastewater and industrial runoff.