The Tordera ( ca, La Tordera) is a
river
A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater
Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the ...
of
Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a '' nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the no ...
(
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, ...
). It flows through the town of
Tordera.
Course
The river is long. Its source is in the
Montseny Massif
Montseny () is a mountain range west of the coastal hills north of Barcelona. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range.
Features
The Montseny massif is located within a triangle formed by the AP-7, C-17 and C-25 roads. It has the highest ...
, and it discharges in the
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ...
. The river's average discharge is .
Its main
tributaries
A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage ...
are the
Riera de Gualba Riera may refer to:
People
*Albert Riera (b. 1982), a Spanish retired footballer who last played for Espanyol, Liverpool and Galatasaray
*Arnau Riera (b. 1981), a Spanish retired footballer who played for Sunderland
* Carme Riera (b. 1948), a Spa ...
,
Riera de Arbúcies Riera may refer to:
People
*Albert Riera (b. 1982), a Spanish retired footballer who last played for RCD Espanyol, Espanyol, Liverpool F.C., Liverpool and Galatasaray S.K. (football), Galatasaray
*Arnau Riera (b. 1981), a Spanish retired footballer ...
,
Riera de Santa Coloma and the
Riera de Valmanya Riera may refer to:
People
*Albert Riera (b. 1982), a Spanish retired footballer who last played for Espanyol, Liverpool and Galatasaray
*Arnau Riera (b. 1981), a Spanish retired footballer who played for Sunderland
* Carme Riera (b. 1948), a Spa ...
. The river runs through the
protected area
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
s of the
Parc Natural del Montseny and the
Parc Natural del Montnegre i el Corredor.
The last stretch of the Tordera is a wide sandy bed subject to seasonal flow. The brackish lagoon in its final delta area is an important area for migratory birds.
[Desembocadura del riu Tordera; Zones humides de Catalunya - Generalitat de Catalunya]
/ref>
History
In the last week of January 1939 the 77th Division of the Spanish Republican Army
The Spanish Republican Army ( es, Ejército de la República Española) was the main branch of the Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic between 1931 and 1939.
It became known as People's Army of the Republic (''Ejército Popular de la Rep ...
, together with the 242nd Mixed Brigade —which had not been ascribed to any division—,[SBHAC - Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular, 242ª Brigada Mixta](_blank)
/ref> tried to establish a planned defensive line
In gridiron football, a lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line. A numbe ...
along the course of the Tordera River in order to halt the massive rebel offensive. The units took position along the course of the river east of the Montseny Massif
Montseny () is a mountain range west of the coastal hills north of Barcelona. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range.
Features
The Montseny massif is located within a triangle formed by the AP-7, C-17 and C-25 roads. It has the highest ...
on 27 January.[Carlos Engel (1999), ''Historia de las Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular de la República'', p. 227-228]
The effort, however, proved futile and in practice it became impossible for the Republican forces to put up any meaningful resistance, especially since the young, inexperienced and ill-equipped 242rd Mixed Brigade —posted at the lower course of the river— was not prepared for the battle and quickly fell into disarray and was overrun.
In the face of the powerful and steady enemy advance the 77th Division abandoned the defensive line along the Tordera and withdrew to the town of Vic
Vic (; es, Vic or Pancracio Celdrán (2004). Diccionario de topónimos españoles y sus gentilicios (5ª edición). Madrid: Espasa Calpe. p. 843. ISBN 978-84-670-3054-9. «Vic o Vich (viquense, vigitano, vigatán, ausense, ausetano, ausonense): ...
, which it lost on 1 February.
See also
* Montseny brook newt
* List of rivers of Catalonia
* List of rivers of Spain
This is an incomplete list of rivers that are at least partially in Spain. The rivers flowing into the sea are sorted along the coast. Rivers flowing into other rivers are listed by the rivers they flow into. Rivers in the mainland Iberian Peninsu ...
* Santa Fe Reservoir
References
External links
*
Montseny Natural Park
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tordera (River)
Rivers of Spain
Rivers of Catalonia