The name comes from the Tupi language 'Rio de Camarões' (Shrimp River). Its source is located in the municipality of Cerro Corá and reaches Atlantic Ocean in Natal.
It's on the 25th december 1597 (Reason why the city called Natal), that the Portugueses arrived with their boats at the entrance of Potengi River, using this place such as base to penetrate the territory.
The Sunset on the rio is famous and one of the city postcards.
It has been called Big River, because its long extension, wich gave the name to the Hereditary Captaincy of Rio Grande do Norte.
The Fortress of the Three Wise Kings, one of the post cards of the city, was built with the shape of a star, above the reefs, on the entrance of Potengi River.
How to come : From the beaches of the city center.
It is also above Potengi River that was built the major engineering construction in the state, Newton Navarro Bridge, which separates the northern side of the rest.