Beni

Department in northeast Bolivia; area 208,780 sq km/80,610 sq mi; population (2000 est) 366,000. Trinidad is the capital. The department is underpopulated and undeveloped, and is situated in the Oriente, a lowland east of the Andes covered by savannah grassland in the south and tropical forest in the north. The River Mamoré and its tributaries flow through the department and provide Bolivia's main river transportation network, linking with the Madeira-Mamoré railway in Brazil. However, the Mamoré's value as a navigable channel is reduced by large meanders and rapids. In March–April each year the river causes extensive flooding. Cattle ranching for beef production is the leading commercial activity of the department, but the lack of infrastructure makes marketing difficult.

The region flourished during the late 19th century with a boom in rubber production. Under the auspices of UNESCO, the Beni Biosphere Reserve has been established here.

Beni

River in northeast Bolivia. Formed by several smaller rivers flowing down from the eastern range of the Andes, the Beni flows west to east through dense jungle country to join the Madre de Dios River at Riberalta. Later it joins the River Marmore at Villa Bella on the Brazilian frontier. It is shallow, meandering, and slow-moving, widening in many parts to almost 1 km. The Beni is navigable for most of its length.