The Bengawan Solo

The Solo River or the Bengawan Solo River is the longest river in Java Island, Indonesia. Its length is about 540 km. This river has its source at Mount Lawu, a quiet active volcano in Central Java. It flows passing through the Sewu Mountains, the Kendang Mountains and into the Solo Valley.

There are two main tributes that form the river. They are the Madiun and the Brantas Rivers. It ends in Java Sea near the city of Surabaya.

The Solo River is not only important for farmers, but also for paleontologists. Scientists have made a lot of discoveries on the early human fossil in several places along this river. This fossil is known as Java Man skull.

In some places people still use the river for transportation. Small boats are used to carry goods from one place to another.