Balsas River

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''For the Brazilian city, see Balsas. For the Ecuadorian canton, see Balsas, Ecuador.

The Balsas River is a river in south-central Mexico which forms a large basin called the Balsas Basin. At 771 kilometres long it is one of Mexico's longest rivers.

The river originates at the confluence of the San Martin and Zahuapan rivers in the state of Puebla. From there it flows southwestward and then westward through the state of Guerrero. It forms the border between Guerrero and the state of Michoacán and reaches the Pacific Ocean at Mongrove Point, adjacent to the city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán.

Along its length it has a number of different names; in its initial stretches it is known as the Atoyac River; within Guerrero is it known locally as the Mezcala.

There are many rapids along its length. The river is used to generate hydroelectric power. It is also a source of water for irrigation.

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