São Francisco River

São Francisco River

River, eastern Brazil. The largest river wholly within Brazil, it flows north and east across the great Central Plateau for about 1,811 mi (2,914 km) to its mouth on the Atlantic Ocean. The upper river valley is an area of thorny forest vegetation; the climate of the river basin is dry and hot. The fish of the river are an important food source. Hydroelectric dams harness the river and provide power throughout northeastern Brazil.