Spanish Río Apurímac,

river in southern Peru. Owing to its lengthy Andean tributaries, it is the farthermost source of the Amazon River. Arising at roughly 17,000 feet (5,200 m) from the snowmelts of Mount Mismi in Arequipa departamento, Peru, it flows northwest through the Andes, descending to less than 860 feet (260 m) to join the Urubamba and form the Ucayali River. For most of its 430-mile (700-kilometre) length, it flows through narrow canyons, and its torrential course is frequently interrupted by falls and rapids. It is known as the Apurímac only to the junction of the Mantaro River. From there to the Perené it is known as the Ene, and from the Perené to the Urubamba it is known as the Tambo.