Lawa River (South America)

Lawa
Show map of French Guiana Show map of Suriname
Location
Countries	Suriname and French Guiana
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Confluence of Litani and Malani
• coordinates	3°17′45″N 54°04′05″W / 3.2959°N 54.0680°W / 3.2959; -54.0680
Mouth
• location	Maroni
• coordinates	4°25′10″N 54°25′46″W / 4.4194°N 54.4295°W / 4.4194; -54.4295
Basin features
Progression	Maroni→ Atlantic Ocean

The Lawa is a river of South America. It forms part of the international boundary between Suriname and French Guiana. It is formed by the confluence of the Litani and Malani. Downstream from its confluence with the Tapanahony, it is called Maroni. The total length of Litani, Lawa and Maroni is 612 km (380 mi).^[1] Important tributaries are the Tampok, Inini and Grand Abounami.

After gold was discovered on the banks of the Lawa River, the governor of Suriname, Cornelis Lely, ordered the construction of the Lawa Railway in 1902. Construction of the railway line was halted when gold production in the area proved disappointing.

• List of rivers of Suriname
• List of rivers of French Guiana

• Rand McNally, The New International Atlas, 1993.

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