Ireng River

The Ireng River forms part of Guyana's western border with Brazil. One of the northernmost tributaries of the Amazon River, it is the only major river in Guyana that flows from north to South. It flows through the valleys of the Pakaraima Mountains,
The sources of the river are in the Monte Roraima National Park, created in 1989.
The larger part of the Ireng River basin forms the frontier between Brazil and Guyana. Ireng's main tributaries are the Uailan and Canã rivers on the Brazilian side and the Cacó, Dacã and Socobi rivers on the Guyanese side. All of these rivers merge with the upper and middle sections of the Ireng. Their courses are through breathtaking formations of sedimentary rocks formed by tectonic movements in ancient times. The Ireng River's waters are dark, bearing a striking resemblance to that of Rio Negro near Manaus, in Brazilian state of Amazonas.
It is considered to be one of the most picturesque of Guyana's many rivers. Orinduik Falls and Takagka Falls are located on the Ireng River.

Etymology

, the term ″Ireng″ comes from the Karib language, whereas ″Maú″ comes from the Arawak language word Mahu, which is how the plant Sterculia pruriens is known to the indigenous people of the region. Another explanation suggests that Mahu comes from Mehru, which means "fall" and Ireng translates to "river", hence "river of the falls".

Biodiversity in the Ireng

The Ireng River region is home to such reptile species as the Antilles leaf-toed gecko and rainbow whiptail ; amphibians such as the sapo dorado and Leptodactylus bolivianus; birds including the Muscovy duck, black vulture, crested caracara, double-striped thick-knee and numerous others; mammals include the South American tapir, jaguar and the red-rumped agouti.