BRANCO, or PARIMA  , a river of northern Brazil and tributary of the Rio Negro, formed by the confluence of the Takuti, or " Upper Rio Branco," and Uraricoera, about 3° N. lat. and 6o° 28' W. long., 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 348 M. 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 36o m. before reaching 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 .