BRANCO or PARIMA, a river of northern Brazil and tribu tary of the Rio Negro, formed by the confluence of the Takutu, or "Upper Rio Branco," and Uraricoera, about 3° N. and 6o° 28' W., and flowing south by west to a junction with the Negro. It has rapids in its upper course, but the greater part of its length of 348m. is navigable for steamers of light draught. The Takutu rises in the Roraima and Coirrit ranges on the Guiana frontier, while the Uraricoera rises in the Serra de Parima, on the Venezuelan frontier, and has a length of 36om. before reach ing the Branco. These are white water rivers, from which the Branco (white) derives its name, and at its junction with the Negro the two differently coloured streams flow side by side for some distance before mingling.