äs), river, c.710 mi (1,140 km) long, rising in the mountains of central Borneo and flowing SW through W Kalimantan, Indonesia, to the South China Sea near Pontianak. Its valley is intensively cultivated; rice is the chief crop. The river is navigable for c.560 mi (900 km).Kapuas
a river in the western part of the island of Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The Kapuas is 1, 040 km long and has a basin area of 97, 000 sq km. It originates in the Kapuas Mountains and flows for 165 km in the mountains; further downstream, it flows primarily through a marshy plain and forms a delta, emptying finally into the South China Sea. The Kapuas is full of water throughout the year, but especially in April and November (the months of maximum precipitation, when extensive areas are covered with flood waters). The Kapuas River is the chief route into the inner regions of Kalimantan. Ships with a draft up to 2 m can sail as far as Putussibau (902 km); ships with a 3-m draft can reach Sintang (465 km). The large port of Pontianak is located in the delta. There is fishing and timber rafting on the river.
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