Madre de Dios

River rising in Peru, flowing through northern Bolivia, and joining the Beni near its junction with the Mamore at Riberalta on the Brazilian border; length 1,360 km/845 mi. For most of its length the river is navigable and is extensively used for transport in its upper reaches.

Madre de Dios

Department in southeast Peru, on the southern extremity of the Amazon Basin; area 85,183 sq km/32,889 sq mi; population (1996) 74,129. Madre de Dios is bordered on the east by Bolivia, on the north by Brazil, on the west by the department of Cuzco, and on the south by the department of Puno. The capital is Puerto Maldonado, on the Madre de Dios River, which flows east through the department. Tropical hardwoods, rubber, and alluvial gold are the main products, and oil exploration has become increasingly important. Many indigenous rainforest peoples inhabit this region, among whom are the Huarayos, Mashcos, Machiguengas, Amahuacas, and Piros.

Madre de Dios is accessible by air from Cuzco and Lima, and is connected by road with the rest of the country via Quincemil and Cuzco. The climate is humid and tropical, and the average annual temperature is 25°C. In the northwest is the Manú national park.