The giant Amazon rainforest in South America has been a mystery for centuries. It holds all kinds of natural wonders. Among them in Colombia, a river stands out as "the most beautiful river" in the world.
Locally called Carnio Cristales, this special river lies in a national park. It is made up of several waterfalls, rapids, and plenty of pools. For most of the year, Canio Cristales looks like a common river: clean, green, and rocky. However, during the short period between September and November, the river explodes(迸发)with life and colour It appears as any mix of colours including blue, green, yellow, orange, and a purplish red. So it is also known as the "River of Five Colours".
Although at first it may appear as if some chemicals were added to the water, this rainbow river is completely natural. Cafio Cristales' colours are the result of a rare (稀有) water plant which needs sunlight to grow. The plants change colour depending on how much sunlight they receive, and the amount is decided by the height and speed of the water. Therefore, it is possible for the plants to be totally colourless if the sunlight is too hard to get. They are a delicate plant. This makes them easily damaged in the water.
Actually, the river faces some problems, including drier seasons, wildlife trouble, waste management, and budget( 预 算 )cuts. In 2007, the park was forced to close because it was over-crowded with tourists. Now the park admits only 200 people a day and requires them to mind their behaviour.
Today, Cano Cristales still shines among Colombia's most popular natural attractions, drawing thousands of tourists every year.
