Correct Answer: indus.
the question presented requires identifying which among the listed rivers is not located in south america. given the options—paraná, purus, orinoco, and indus—three of these rivers are indeed in south america, while one is not.
the paraná river begins its journey in brazil, originating from the confluence of the paranaíba and grande rivers. it plays a significant role in marking boundaries, first between brazil and paraguay, then between paraguay and argentina. as it continues its southward flow, it merges with the iguazu river, later joining the paraguay river, and eventually converges with the uruguay river to form the río de la plata, which empties into the atlantic ocean.
turning our attention to the purus river, it is a significant tributary of the amazon river. it flows entirely within brazil, contributing to the vast amazonian river system, which is crucial for the region’s ecology and hydrology.
the orinoco river is another major river system of south america. it originates in the guiana highlands of venezuela and traverses a complex path through venezuela and part of colombia before it discharges into the atlantic ocean. this river is especially known for its diverse ecosystems and the rich biodiversity it supports along its banks.
in contrast, the indus river is located in a completely different continent. it flows mainly through pakistan and has its origins in the tibetan plateau in china. the river runs through the ladakh region of india, then into gilgit-baltistan and onward through pakistan, finally emptying into the arabian sea. the indus is crucial for pakistan's economy, especially in agriculture, and is deeply embedded in the region’s history and culture.
given this geographical information, it is clear that the indus river is the correct answer to the question as it is the only river among the options not found in south america. this highlights the importance of understanding global geography and the specific characteristics of major world rivers.
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