Elqui River | |
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![]() The Elqui River on the map | |
Location | |
Country | Chile |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Junction of Turbio River and Claro River (Elqui) |
• elevation | 815 m (2,674 ft)[1] |
Mouth | |
• location | Pacific Ocean |
Basin size | 9,826 km2 (3,794 sq mi)[1] |
The Elqui River starts in the west Andes and flows into the Pacific Ocean near the Chilean city of La Serena. It is a wine and pisco producing area.[2] Vicuña, the main town of the middle valley, was the home of Nobel Laureate poet Gabriela Mistral.[citation needed]
The invasive plant species Limnobium laevigatum is present in the river which is its northernmost locale in Chile.[3]