| Cauto River | |
| Map: | Cauto river Route.png |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map: | Cuba |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of mouth |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Length: | 315miles |
| Source1 Location: | Sierra Maestra |
| Source1 Elevation: | 6000NaN0 |
| Mouth: | Caribbean Sea |
| Mouth Location: | Gulf of Guacanayabo |
| Mouth Elevation: | Sea level |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 20.5492°N -77.2417°W |
| Basin Size: | 8928km2 |
The Cauto River or Río Cauto is the longest river in Cuba, as well as the longest river in the Caribbean.[1] Located in the southeast of the island, it is one of two navigable rivers in Cuba, the other being the Sagua la Grande River.
The Cauto flows for 371km (231miles) from the Sierra Maestra to the west and north-west, and enters the Caribbean Sea north of Manzanillo. However, it provides only 110km (70miles) of navigable waterway. A 2013 study led by multiple Cuban academic institutions determined that the river could be 'classified as unpolluted to moderately polluted'.[2]
It flows through the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Granma. The communities of Palma Soriano, Cauto Cristo, and Rio Cauto are located along the river. Rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and cattle are the primary agricultural beneficiaries along its course.