| PatĂa River | |
| Map: | Mapa_de_Colombia_(rĂos).svg |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map: | Colombia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of mouth |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 2.2599°N -78.6798°W |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Length: | 400km (200miles) |
The PatĂa River is a river in southwestern Colombia. It flows over 400km (200miles) to drain into the Pacific Ocean north of Tumaco. The PatĂa River is the longest river on the Colombian Pacific Coast. The last 90km (60miles) is navigable by boat.
The PatĂa River begins in the Department of Cauca south of the city of Popayán near the town of TimbĂo. The source of the river begins in the gap between the West Andes and Central Andes very near the source of the Cauca River.
The PatĂa river flows westward from the Central massif of Colombia, cuts through the Western Cordillera and drains into the Pacific Ocean.In its upper section it runs through cloud forests and montane forests. The central section of the river flows through the PatĂa Valley dry forests ecoregion.The lower section to the west of the Western Cordillera flows through the ChocĂł jungles of the Pacific region.The PatĂa is fed by the QuilcacĂ©, Guachicono, Mayo, JuanambĂş, Pasto and Guaitara rivers.
An 1853 watercolor by Manuel MarĂa Paz shows a mestizo or indigenous family on horseback herding cattle in a field near the PatĂa River.[1]
