Longest River in Asia - Yangtze River Facts and Figures Australia Longest River in Asia - Yangtze River Facts and Figures Asia is home to some of the world’s longest rivers. A number of long waterways flow through the continent and provide its inhabitants with water for drinking, irrigation and the generation of hydroelectric power. In addition, many rivers serve as important transportation routes while others offer their rich resources of aquatic life and minerals. Several ancient civilizations thrived at the banks of important Asian Rivers. The most important and longest river in Asia is the Yangtze river. The following discussion provides information about this mighty water body of Asia. Yangtze River – An Overview The longest river of Asia and third longest river on the planet, the Yangtze measures 6,300 kilometers in length. It is the most important waterway of China, serving the country since its ancient history. It emerges from the Geladaindong Peak of the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai. The source of the river is located at an elevation of 5,042 meters. From there begins the river’s long, adventurous journey which comes to an end near Shanghai and Jiangsu where its water joins the East China Sea.

Around one-fifth of the region of the People’s Republic of China comes under the river. Its huge river basin covers 1,808,500 square kilometers of area and houses one-third of the entire population of the country. The Yangtze delta is one of the most prosperous regions of China, contributing over twenty percent to the country’s overall GDP. The river provides water for irrigation to help the agricultural sector thrive while the world’s largest hydroelectric power station generates enormous amount of electricity. It also serves as a route for transport of vessels. Indeed, the mighty Yangtze is a matter of pride for China. The magnificent water body offers scenic beauty to foreign tourists while the locals harness its power and use its resources to build a thriving nation. Sections of the River The Yangtze River is known by many other names. In fact, these names have been used by Chinese to identify different sections of the river when its source had not been determined. The most popular names of the river are listed below along with a brief description of the section defined by each name. Chang Jiang The river’s most common name in the country is Chang Jiang which means “Long River”.

This name defines the region of the river which extends from its confluence with one of its tributaries, River Min, towards its mouth located at Shanghai. This is the lower course of Yangtze which is 2,884 kilometers long. Chang Jiang is further classified into sub-sections which have been given different names by the locals. These include Chuan Jiang, Jing Jiang, Wan Jiang and Yangzi Jiang. Jinsha Jiang In the Chinese language, Jinsha Jiang means “gold sanded river”. This name defines the section of the river from Yibin to where it is joined by its tributary, River Batang. This confluence occurs in Qinghai. The section of the river defined by Jinsha Jiang is 2,308 kilometers long. Tuotuo River The headstream of Yangtze, flowing up to 358 kilometers from its source is known as the Tuotuo River. The name means “tearful river”. In the Mongolian language, this section is named as “Ulan Moron” which means the Red River. Tongtian River This name has been taken from fable: Journey to the West. It means “river passing through heaven”.

Tongtian defines the section which flows from Yushu up to the river’s meeting point with River Dangqu. It was also known as the Yak River or the Winding Stream. Importance of Yangtze in the World The Chinese take pride in the fact that the longest river of Asia runs through their country. In fact, the Yangtze has earned several places on the list of world records. The reasons why it is famous the world over are listed below. After Nile and Amazon, the Yangtze River is the longest waterway flowing on earth. It ranks as the longest river to pass through a single country. The entire length of the Yangtze River - beginning from its source from glaciers at the Geladaindong peak to its confluence with the East China Sea – lie within the People’s Republic of China. In terms of the discharge volume, the Yangtze is the biggest river in the entire world. Its average discharge is 30,166 cubic meters per second while its peak dischrage reaches 110,000 cubic meters per second.

The source of Yangtze, situated at 5,000 meters above sea level, is the highest source any river of the world has. The Qinghai-Tibet railway passes 100 kilometers from the source of the Yangtze River. This is the world’s highest railway. The largest hydroelectric power station and the largest dam in the world are built on the Yangtze River. It is known as the Three Gorges Dam. The world’s deepest Gorge is located on the upper section of the river. Above it are mountains as high as 4,000 meters. The cliffs at its side are as steep as 2,000 meters. Scenic Beauty The Yangtze River is surrounded by breathtaking scenic beauty. The sites worth watching are described below. Source of the River The river’s source lies at the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. This point is popularly known as the Roof of the World. It leads to lush green Mountains and steep gorges in the regions of Lisu and Naxi. Fengdu Ghost City Also known popularly as the Home of the Devil, it is a famous place which is situated along the course of the river.

Most tourists make a stop at this point during their Yangtze cruise. It used to be an ancient town and a burial site. Although most of the city has drowned under the Three Gorges Dam, its relics are still found in the form of multiple ancient temples. Ancient Water Towns There are several towns located along the river’s lower reaches which are popularly known as the ancient water towns owing to the large number of small rivers and lakes located there. The famous water towns are: Zhouzhuang, Xitang, Tongli and Wuzhen. The Three Gorges The Yangtze is famous for the Three Gorges which are found around the middle reaches of the river. This region offers natural scenic beauty which tourists can enjoy during their cruise of this part of the river. Importance of the River The river has been serving China in many ways since the ancient times. The region containing the Three Gorges was home to human civilization as far back as 27,000 years. The culture of Southern China emerged from the early settlements which thrived around the banks of Yangtze. Today, the river is immensely important for the country in the following ways. The river is an important means of transport.

It has been in use for this purpose since two centuries. Commercial vessels and steamers can travel up to Yichang which is at a distance of 1,600 kilometers from the sea. On the other hand, ship transport can be carried out up to Chongqing. The Yangtze River Basin is thriving region of the country which provides various resources for its prosperity. Important crops are grown in the fertile region which strengthens the agricultural sector of China. These crops contribute to seventy percent of the country’s rice and fifty percent of its grain produces. Overall, the river basin contributes forty percent to the total GDP of China. Seventy percent of China’s fishery production is contributed by the Yangtze. Various tourist attractions along the course of the river add their share to the overall earnings of the country and provide jobs to the locals in the tourism department. The river is home to a wide variety of organisms, including 350 species of fish and 160 species of amphibians. The country’s culture has evolved from the ancient civilizations which were nourished by the resources provided by the Yangtze River. Huge deposits of minerals surround the river.

This serves as a basis for future mining projects in China which are going to add greatly to the country’s prosperity. Forty percent of the entire country’s power potential is offered by the Yangtze River. The strategic importance of the river is also notable. It is the natural divide between the northern and southern part of the People’s Republic of China. Indeed, the Yangtze River is not only the longest river of Asia, but also one of the most important waterways of the continent. World River Map World River Map World Map / Thematic Maps / World River Map World River Map World River Map shows the major rivers and lakes around the world, such as the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze Rivers. Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. Europe History Map 1937 Rivers and lakes are the major sources of fresh water on each of the continents around the world, and are vital to the communities they serve. Because of the various tributaries and reservoirs, it is difficult to measure the precise lengths of the rivers of the world.

Some of the major rivers of the world include the Nile, Amazon, Yangtze, and Yellow Rivers. Other major rivers are the Parana, the Mississippi-Missouri river system, the Niger, the Volga, and the Danube. Major Rivers in the World Nile - The Nile River is located in Africa, and is usually considered the longest river in the world. The Nile River travels through Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and South Sudan. Amazon - Located in South America, the Amazon River system is the second largest river, and has the largest drainage basin of any river. The Amazon River traverses through Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Yangtze - The Yangtze River, which flows throughout China, is the longest river in Asia, and the third longest river in the world. Yellow River - Also located in China, the Yellow River is the second longest river in the country. Mississippi - Missouri - The longest river system in the United States, the Mississippi-Missouri system is considered the fourth longest river in the world. The Mississippi-Missouri system drains thirty-one of the fifty states.

The system consists of both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, which merge together near St. Louis Missouri. Parana - In South America, the Parana River runs 3,030 miles through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, before joining with the Iguazu River. The Parana River is formed from both the Paranaiba and Grande Rivers. ACOD~20120829 Yangtze River | river, China | Britannica.com Yangtze River Alternative Titles: Ch’ang Chiang, Chang Jiang, Da Jiang Related Topics Nanjing Yangtze River, Chinese (Pinyin) Chang Jiang or (Wade-Giles romanization) Ch’ang Chiang , longest river in both China and Asia and the third longest river in the world, with a length of 3,915 miles (6,300 kilometres). Its basin, extending for some 2,000 miles (3,200 km) from west to east and for more than 600 miles (1,000 km) from north to south, drains an area of 698,265 square miles (1,808,500 square km).

From its source on the Plateau of Tibet to its mouth on the East China Sea , the river traverses or serves as the border between 10 provinces or regions. More than three-fourths of the river’s course runs through mountains. The Yangtze has eight principal tributaries. On its left bank, from source to mouth, these are the Yalung, Min, Jialing , and Han rivers; those on the right bank include the Wu, Yuan, Xiang, and Gan rivers. The Huang He basin and the Yangtze River basin and their drainage networks. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Bend in the upper Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), Yunnan province, southwestern China. Long Hongtao—Xinhua/Corbis The name Yangtze—derived from the name of the ancient fiefdom of Yang—has been applied to the river mainly by those in the West. Chang Jiang (“Long River”) is the name used in China, although it also is called Da Jiang (“Great River”) or, simply, Jiang (“[The] River”). The Yangtze is the most important river of China.

It is the country’s principal waterway, and its basin is China’s great granary and contains nearly one-third of the national population. Physical features The upper course The upper course of the Yangtze flows across the Plateau of Tibet and descends through deep valleys in the mountains east of the plateau, emerging onto the Yunnan-Guizhou (Yungui) Plateau. Summers there are warm, and the winters are cold. The source of the Yangtze is the Ulan Moron (Wulanmulun) River, which originates in glacial meltwaters on the slopes of the Tanggula Mountains in southern Qinghai province on the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region. From the confluence of this stream with several others, the river flows generally easterly through a shallow, spacious valley, the bottom of which is studded with lakes and small reservoirs. This part of its course lies in the higher regions of the Tibetan highlands. First bend of the Yangtze River, Yunnan province, China. Bruno Morandi—age fotostock/Imagestate Jordan River The river’s character changes sharply upon reaching the eastern limits of the highlands.

There the river—which in this stretch is called the Jinsha—descends from a high elevation, winding its way south of the high Bayan Har Mountains and forming a narrow valley up to 2 miles (3 km) in depth. Individual mountain peaks exceed elevations of 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) above sea level and are crowned with glaciers and perpetual snow. The steep, rocky slopes are cut with gorges and deep valleys. For several hundred miles the Yangtze flows in a southeasterly direction, before turning south to flow downward in rushing rapids. For a considerable distance the river flows through passes that are so steep that no room is left even for a narrow path. Villages, which are rarely found, are located high above the river. In this region the Yangtze runs close and parallel to both the Mekong and Salween rivers; all three rivers are within 15 to 30 miles (25 to 50 km) of one another and continue to flow in mutual proximity for a distance of more than 250 miles (400 km).

North of latitude 26° N these great rivers diverge, and the Yangtze turns east to pass through a winding valley with steep slopes. The river receives the waters of many tributaries, among which the Yalong River is the largest and contributes the most water. The Yangtze then widens to between 1,000 and 1,300 feet (300 and 400 metres), reaching depths often exceeding 30 feet (9 metres). In narrower gorges the water width decreases by almost half, but the depth increases sharply. Britannica Stories Scientists Ponder Menopause in Killer Whales Near the end of the upstream part of its course, the Yangtze descends to an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level. Thus, over the first 1,600 miles (2,600 km) of its length, the river has fallen more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres), or an average of more than 10 feet per mile (2 metres per km) of its course. In the mountains, however, there is a substantial stretch where the fall of the river is considerably greater.

The middle course All About Asia The middle course of the Yangtze stretches for about 630 miles (1,010 km) between the cities of Yibin in Sichuan province and Yichang in Hubei province. The climate is characterized by hot summers and relatively mild winters, as the high mountains to the west protect the region from the cold north and west winds. Annual precipitation measures between 40 and 60 inches (1,000 to 1,500 mm), a large part of it occurring in summer; the growing season lasts for more than six months. In most of this segment, the river crosses hilly Sichuan province, where the lower mountains and plateaus connect the highlands of southwestern China with the Qin (Tsinling) Mountains lying between the Yangtze and Huang He (Yellow River) basins. Located in this area is Chongqing , a major industrial centre and river port. The river’s width there is from about 1,000 to 1,600 feet (300 to 500 metres), and the depth in places exceeds 30 feet.

The current is swift; the banks often are high and steep. The river falls some 820 feet (250 metres) in Sichuan, more than a foot per mile (0.2 metre per km) of flow. As the Yangtze flows through eastern Sichuan and into western Hubei, it traverses for a distance of 125 miles (200 km) the famous Three Gorges region before debouching onto the plains to the east. The gorges have steep, sheer slopes composed mainly of thick limestone rocks. Prior to the completion of the Three Gorges Dam in 2006, they rose some 1,300 to 2,000 feet (400 to 600 metres) above the river, although with the creation of the reservoir behind the dam their height has been diminished fairly significantly. Nonetheless, they still present the appearance of fantastic towers, pillars, or spears. Qutang, the first gorge—about 5 miles (8 km) long—is the shortest; prior to its inundation, the river there was considered the most dangerous for navigation, being extremely narrow with many rapids and eddies.

Wu, the second gorge, stretches for about 30 miles (50 km); it is a narrow, steep corridor with almost vertical walls of heights up to 1,600 or even 2,000 feet above the river. The last gorge, Xiling, is located upstream of Yichang and extends for a distance of 21 miles; in places limestone cliffs rise directly out of the water, although with the rise of the reservoir to much lower heights than before. The gorges are rocky, and the walls are speckled with cracks, niches , and indentations. Even before the river was inundated, its depth in the gorges was considerable, increasing to between 500 and 600 feet (150 and 180 metres) and giving the Yangtze the greatest depths of any river in the world. Xiling Gorge, in the Three Gorges section of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), as it appeared before … © Wolfgang Kaehler Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The lower part of the Yangtze basin is centred on the extensive lowland plains of east-central China.

The region experiences a temperate climate with warm springs, hot summers, cool autumns, and relatively cold winters for the latitude. Monsoons (seasonally changing winds) dominate the weather of the region, and in the summer and autumn typhoons occur periodically. As the Yangtze exits from the Three Gorges Dam, near Yichang, it enters a complex system of lakes, marshes, and multiple river channels developed on the plains of Hunan and Hubei provinces. This vast region, lying at elevations below 165 feet (50 metres), has served as a natural flood-regulation basin in recent geologic history. Three main tributaries (the Yuan , Xiang , and Han rivers) and many smaller ones join the Yangtze in this region, which also is where the current slows as the river reaches the plain. Water levels fluctuate considerably between the flood and low-flow seasons. In addition, the presence of a number of large lakes, including Dongting Lake and Lakes Hong and Liangzi, also causes considerable fluctuations in water volume. The total area of the lakes, at average water levels, is some 6,600 square miles (17,100 square km).

The lakes are of national economic significance, mainly as fisheries. Britannica Lists & Quizzes Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies At the edge of the Lake Liangzi plain the Yangtze widens markedly, the course of its stream wandering in the form of a large loop. The width of the river is up to 2,600 feet (800 metres), the depth is more than 100 feet (30 metres), and the water current flows at a rate of about 3.5 feet (1 metre) per second. The banks are built up for protection from floods. In the southern part of the plain lies Dongting Lake, which once was the largest freshwater lake in China but now has been reduced in area by silting and land reclamation; it shares four tributaries and two canals with the Yangtze, whose flow it serves to regulate. The surrounding area, agricultural and studded with lakes, is China’s most important rice-producing region. At the centre of the lakes region is the large metropolis of Wuhan .

Situated on the Yangtze near the mouth of the Han River, it was formed in 1950 by the merger of the cities of Hanyang and Hankou on the left bank and Wuchang on the right bank and has become one of China’s most important metallurgical-industry centres and river ports. Farther east the Yangtze flows into a narrowing, picturesque valley and then passes onto the plain of Jiangxi province, which contains Lake Poyang , China’s largest natural freshwater lake. The lake, with an average area of about 1,385 square miles (3,585 square km), receives the Kan River tributary and, in turn, is linked to the Yangtze by a wide tributary. The river then turns to the northeast, passes through a widening valley, and flows out onto the southern North China Plain . The width of the river increases at this point to between 3,000 and 6,000 feet (900 and 1,800 metres), and the depth in places approaches 100 feet. In this region there are a number of large cities, including Anqing , Wuhu , and Nanjing .

The Grand Canal (Da Yunhe), which, with a length of nearly 1,100 miles (1,800 km), is one of the longest canals in the world; it crosses the Yangtze in the vicinity of the city of Zhenjiang . The Yangtze delta Open Door policy The Yangtze delta , which begins beyond Zhenjiang, consists of a large number of branches, tributaries, lakes, ancient riverbeds, and marshes that are connected with the main channel. During major floods the delta area is completely submerged. Lake Tai , with an area of about 930 square miles (2,410 square km), is notable as the largest of the many lakes in the delta. The width of the Yangtze in the delta, as far as the city of Jiangyin, ranges from less than 1 mile to almost 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 km); farther downstream the channel gradually widens and becomes a large estuary , the width of which exceeds 50 miles (80 km) near the mouth of the river.

Major cities in the delta include Wuxi , Suzhou , and, at the river’s mouth, Shanghai . Before emptying into the sea, the Yangtze divides into two arms that drain independently into the East China Sea. The left branch has a width of about 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 km), the right branch of 6 to 15 miles (10 to 25 km). Between the branches is situated Chongming Island , which was formed over the centuries by the deposit of alluvium at the mouth of the Yangtze. The depth of the river in places approaches 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 metres) but decreases to only several feet near the sea at the mouth of the river because of the presence of sandbars. The section of river from the mouth to 250 miles (400 km) upstream is subject to the influence of tides. The maximum range of the tides near the mouth is 13 to 15 feet (4 to 5 metres). The Yangtze delta is rich in mud and silt and is dominated by fluvial and tidal processes.

The present-day bed of the Yangtze in this area is somewhat above the elevation of the plain. Thus, to protect the surrounding region from floodwaters, the banks of the main and other rivers are built up; the total length of banks on the Yangtze on which levees have been constructed is about 1,700 miles (2,740 km). Dams also have been built for flood protection on the shores of several lakes; the Qingjiang Reservoir, for example, built for this purpose near Dongting Lake, has a design capacity of 194 million cubic feet (5.5 million cubic metres). The delta is protected from the sea by two gigantic parallel banks that are faced with stone in most parts. Geology In its upper reaches the Yangtze River drains across the Plateau of Tibet, which is still uplifting as the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. The bedrock comprises an assemblage of marine sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Within intermontane basins, thick deposits of sediments of Cenozoic age—i.e., less than about 65 million years old—overlie the bedrock.

The Yangtze descends abruptly from the Tibetan Plateau to flow across deeply eroded mountain plateaus consisting of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks roughly 350 to 150 million years old. In its lower reaches, the Yangtze River flows across basin fills of Cenozoic material that is about 65 to 25 million years old. These are the result of fluvial sedimentation as the Yangtze has migrated across its lower basin throughout its Cenozoic history. Hydrology The Yangtze basin is comparatively well irrigated; the average yearly rainfall amounts to about 43 inches (1,100 mm). Most of the precipitation is brought by the monsoon winds and falls primarily as rain in the summer months. In the mountainous part of the basin the precipitation is mainly snow. Floods , which result from the monsoon rains in the middle and lower parts of the basin, usually begin in March or April and can occur at any time during the next eight months. In May the water level decreases somewhat but then sharply increases again, continuing to rise until August , when it reaches its highest level.

After that the water level gradually falls to the premonsoon levels, the decrease continuing through the autumn and most of the winter until February, when the lowest annual level is reached. The annual range of water-level fluctuations is considerable—an average of about 65 feet (20 metres)—with 26 to 35 feet (8 to 11 metres) during years of low water. Downstream from the Three Gorges Dam the impact of the water-level variation is lessened by the dam itself and by the regulating effect of the lakes. In the delta tides exert the greatest influence on the water level. Near the city of Wusong the daily tidal range is 15 feet (4.5 metres), and the yearly range is 20 feet (6 metres). A breakdown of the water volume delivered to the mouth of the Yangtze shows that the highland part of the basin contributes 10 percent of the flow, while the remainder of the water in the river is contributed by the middle and downstream parts of the basin, with runoff from the basins of Dongting Lake and Lake Poyang being responsible for about two-fifths of the volume. The Yangtze carries a tremendous volume of water.

In the upstream areas the average flow exceeds 70,000 cubic feet (1,980 cubic metres) per second, which is more than the discharge rate of the second longest river in China, the Huang He, at its mouth. After the inflow from the first large tributary—the Yalong River—the volume in the Yangtze increases sharply, approaching an average of 194,000 cubic feet (5,500 cubic metres) per second. Farther downstream the Yangtze admits many tributaries, and the volume gradually increases.

Prior to the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, it reached 529,000 cubic feet (15,000 cubic metres) per second at the end of the Three Gorges area, 847,000 cubic feet (24,000 cubic metres) per second at Wuhan, and some 1,100,000 cubic feet (31,100 cubic metres) per second at its mouth; the total volume entering the sea annually was roughly 235 cubic miles (979 cubic km), ranking it third in volume of flow behind the Amazon and Congo rivers. Those numbers have decreased somewhat since the completion of the dam in 2006. The suspended sediment load at the mouth of the Yangtze is some 478 million tons per year, one of the highest sediment loads of any river in the world. During the seasonal rains the Yangtze widely floods the lower areas, and the maximum volume of water entering the sea can be more than double the average flow. Likewise, the flow decreases during the dry season, sometimes to about one-fourth the average flow.

In spite of the fact that the discharge volume of the Yangtze vastly exceeds that of the Huang He, the Yangtze is significantly less silty than the Huang He. This is because much of the Huang He’s course is over the Loess Plateau with its easily erodible loess (wind-deposited soil), whereas the Yangtze flows over little loess, and its floodplains are more vegetated and less erodible. In the mountainous part of the basin, particularly in the Plateau of Tibet, the waters of the Yangtze contain little silt . Downstream, however, the waters become muddy and acquire a coffee colour. It is estimated that the Yangtze annually carries between 280 million and 300 million tons of alluvium to its mouth, depositing an estimated 150 million to 200 million tons on the river bottom in addition. Thus, the total amount of suspended material carried or deposited is between 430 million and 500 million tons per year, one of the highest sediment loads of any river in the world.

As a result of the depositing of alluvium at the river’s mouth, the delta extends into the sea an average of one mile every hundred years. During the period of monsoon rains, the Yangtze and its tributaries formerly spilled over, creating extensive floods . If the floods in the main channel coincided with flooding in one or more of the major tributaries, powerful, destructive flood waves could result, an occurrence that happened repeatedly in the history of China. One of the major objectives of the Three Gorges project is to control such flooding by the river. When flooding occurs, it frequently results from the deposit of silt in the bed of the Yangtze. Upon leaving the mountains and entering the plain, the current in the Yangtze sharply decreases, and thus the flow cannot continue to carry the entire amount of silt. As a result, a significant portion is deposited in the bed, causing the bottom to rise. A similar situation occurs in many of the Yangtze’s tributaries. Flooding thus presents a great danger to the inhabitants of the adjacent plains. Human adaptation to and utilization of the plains of the Yangtze valley have evolved in the context of such floods.

Among the legends and myths handed down from the earliest historical times are accounts of floods that submerged vast areas. These are said to have turned the plains into inland seas, with water remaining in the lowest places for many years at a time. Catastrophic floods have occurred throughout recorded history. During the period from 206 bce to 1960 ce, China experienced more than 1,030 major floods. Especially extensive flooding has occurred on the Yangtze more than 50 times and on the tributary Han River more than 30 times. On the average, the Yangtze basin has been the scene of catastrophic flooding every 50 to 55 years. Widespread flooding also may take place at shorter intervals. This has been the case since the mid-19th century, as the Yangtze basin has flooded in 1870, 1896, 1931, 1949, and 1954. Of these, the 1931 and 1954 floods were national disasters.

The 1931 flood resulted from heavy, continuous monsoon rains that covered most of the middle and lower parts of the basin. During May and June, six huge flood waves swept down the river, destroying the protecting dams and levees in two dozen places and flooding more than 35,000 square miles (90,000 square km) of land; 40 million people were rendered homeless or otherwise suffered. Many population centres, including Nanjing and the Wuhan conurbation, were underwater. In Wuhan the water remained for more than four months, the depth exceeding 6 feet (1.8 metres) and in places more than 20 feet (6 metres). In the summer of 1954 another powerful flood occurred, again the result of continued monsoon rains. The water level sharply increased and at times exceeded the 1931 flood levels by almost 5 feet (1.5 metres). Effective flood-control measures developed since the 1930s, however, averted many of the potential consequences of the flood. Page 1 of 2 Rivers in Asia Continents, Facts about Size etc Australia Rivers in Asia The land of Asia abounds in rivers.

Some of the world’s longest rivers, such as the Yangtze, the Yellow River and Euphrates flow through the world’s largest continent. These waterways account for most of the region’s fertility and provide several important resources to sustain its large population. Many of the rivers in Asia, including Tigris, Euphrates and Indus have been immensely important in history as they allowed several ancient civilizations to flourish around their banks. In addition, most Asian rivers also offer magnificent scenic beauty which is an attraction for nature lovers from all around the world. The following discussion provides information about the major rivers of the Asian continent. Yangtze River The longest river of Asia and the third longest in the world, the Yangtze River flows through China. It originates from the Geladaindong Peak in Qinghai and covers a distance of 6,300 kilometers before meeting its fate at Shanghai where it joins the East China Sea. The average discharge of the gigantic river is 30,166 cubic meters per second. The river has not only been important in the country’s history, but is also a source of economic prosperity for the present-day China.

The Three Gorges Dam is the biggest dam of the world which is built on this river. In addition, the river also serves as a huge tourist attraction. Yellow River Also called Huang He, the Yellow River is the second longest Asian River and the sixth longest on the earth. It runs through nine states of China and covers a distance of 5,464 kilometers. The origin of the river lies in Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai while its final destination is the Bohai Sea. Owing to its historic significance, the Yellow River is popularly known as the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. However, due to the damages incurred by floods and the river’s changing course, it is also called China’s Sorrow. Lena River The Lena is one of the three great rivers of Siberia which empty into the Arctic Ocean. Being 4,472 kilometers long in length, the river ranks as the continent’s third and the world’s eleventh longest waterway. It emerges from the Baikal Mountains situated at the south of the Central Siberian Plateau. It is the world’s only large river which flows on the permafrost area.

The huge Lena delta – spanning over an area of 61,000 square kilometers – has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Mekong Seventh on the list of the longest rivers in Asia, the Mekong River is 4,350 kilometers long. It has earned twelfth place among the longest rivers flowing across the planet. Being an international river, it flows through six countries of Southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The river emerges from the Tibetan Plateau and flows towards the Mekong basin which spreads across an area of 795,000 square kilometers. The river then joins the waters of the South China Sea. Ob River Being 3,650 kilometers long, the Ob River is the seventh longest of the gigantic rivers flowing across the planet. It is a Russian river which originates from the Belukha Mountains where rivers Katun and Biya meet. From there, it runs towards the Gulf of Ob where it joins the Arctic Ocean. The river discharges an average of 12,475 cubic meters of water per second. The Ob River is an important source of drinking water and irrigation.

It also serves the purpose of fishing and hydroelectric power generation. Irtysh River River Irtysh is the major tributary of the Ob River of western Siberia. It emerges from the Altay Mountains and passes through Siberia, China as well as Kazakhstan. The gigantic river is 4,248 kilometers in length with an enormous basin area covering 1,643,000 square kilometers. The river serves as an important navigation route for passenger boats, tankers and freight boats in Kazakhstan and Russia. On the other hand, the Chinese have built three dams on the portion of the river passing through their country to serve as a water reservoir for hydroelectric power generation. Therefore, Irtysh carries economical importance for all the three countries it flows through. Yenisei River One of the three great Siberian rivers, the Yenisei River emerges from Mongolia, crosses Russia and completes its journey at the Yenisei Gulf. This 5,539 kilometers long water body is the largest of all the river systems which flow into the Arctic Ocean. The river houses around fifty-five different types of native fish.

In addition, a variety of other types of animals as well as plants also flourish in the waters of the Yenisei. Indus River With a length of 3,200 kilometers, the Indus River ranks as one of the longest rivers in Asia. Emerging from the Tibetan Plateau, the river passes through China and India before entering Pakistan. The latter has access to ninety-three percent of the river which lies in the country. Its journey ends at Karachi where it meets the Arabian Sea. Immense historic importance is associated with this river with its earliest exploration project dating back to 510 BC. Moreover, the famous Indus Valley Civilization thrived on its banks. Today, it serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Brahmaputra River Emerging from the Angsi Glacier in the Himalayas, the Brahmaputra River passes through China, crosses India and then enters Bangladesh. Its 2,900 kilometers long journey finishes at the Bay of Bengal. The river serves as an important source of irrigation water and also provides a navigation route. It suffers from flooding during spring with the melting of snow at the Himalayas.

During this time, the river discharges up to 100,000 cubic meters each second while its average discharge during the rest of the year is 19,300 cubic meters in one second. Amur River Also known as Heilong Jiang in China, the Amur River originates in Mongolia and then flows through China and Russia. It is 2,824 kilometers in length and completes its journey at the Strait of Tartary to join the Pacific Ocean. The Amur River is the tenth largest river in the world . It is famous for sustaining interesting organisms including the world’s ninety-five percent Oriental White Stork as well as cranes and other varieties of birds. The river also carries historical importance as the ancient Russians and Chinese flourished at its banks. Salween River The Salween River emerges from the Qinghai Mountains and flows through China and crosses international borders to enter Burma and then Thailand. Its journey covers a distance of 2,815 kilometers making it one of the continent’s longest waterways. The Andaman Sea is the river’s final destination. Its basin area stretches across three countries and covers 324,000 square kilometers of area.

However, the population settled at the banks of Salween is rather isolated owing to the fact that the river is navigable only during the rainy season up to ninety kilometers from its mouth. Euphrates The famous Euphrates River carries immense significance in the history of the continent. It is Western Asia’s longest waterway and flows to a length of 2,800 kilometers. The river’s journey begins from Turkey. It flows through Syria and then enters Iraq where it joins River Tigris. This point of union is a 200 kilometers long river known as Shatt al-Arab. Many ancient civilizations, such as the Mesopotamian Empire, settled at the banks of Euphrates. For centuries, the river has been a significant source of water and other resources, such as fish. Amu Darya Amu Darya, or Amu River, is an important waterway of Central Asia. Its journey begins from the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan and continues through Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. During this course, Amu Darya covers 2,400 kilometers and empties into the Aral Sea.

The river played an important part in history for the Persians as well as for the missions of Alexander the Great. Today, it serves as an extremely important source of water for irrigation. Ganges River One of the most sacred rivers in the Hindu religion, the Ganges flows from the Himalayas and passes through India and Bangladesh. Being 2,525 kilometers long, it is counted among Asia’s longest rivers. Its huge basin spreads across an area of 1,080,000 square kilometers and houses a large population of India. In addition, a large number of fish and amphibian species thrive in the waters of the river. However, the Ganges made it to the list of the world’s most polluted rivers in 2007 and is, therefore, unfit for human consumption and the survival of its flora and fauna. Ishim River A trans-boundary water body, the Ishim River flows through Kazakhstan and Russia and covers a distance of 2,450 kilometers. It is one of the tributaries of River Irtysh. During its course through Russia, the river gives rise to several oxbow lakes.

Although it remains frozen during the winter months, the Ishim River offers navigation through its navigable lower reaches during the rest of the year. Ural River The Ural River is one of the important freshwater bodies of Russia and Kazakhstan. Originating in the Ural Mountains, the river completes its journey at the Caspian Sea after covering a long distance of 2,428 kilometers. The river’s average discharge is 400 cubic meters of water per second. It irrigates the majority of the northwestern region of the land of Kazakhstan. In addition, it is an important river since it forms the boundary between Asia and the European continent. Pearl River The Pearl River is also known as Zhu Jiang and serves as an important waterway in China and Vietnam. Other popular names of the river are Guangdong and Canton. It is formed by the confluence of its tributaries – Xi Jiang, Bei Jiang and Dong Jiang. The river finally empties into the South China Sea. The Pearl River has been named so owing to the presence of pearl shaded shells which lie at its bottom during its course through Guangzhou.

Syr Darya Syr Darya is a river which flows through four countries of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Its journey begins from Uzbekistan where it is formed when Narya and Kara rivers converge. The course of Syr Darya covers a distance of 2,212 kilometers before joining the Aral Sea. The river is immensely significant for Central Asia since it provides irrigation water for most of the region’s cotton crops. Ayeyarwady River Also known as Irrawaddy, the Ayeyarwady River is the longest river of Burma. It flows for 2,170 kilometers from its source which is the confluence of Mali and Nmai rivers. Its mouth is located at the Andaman Sea. The river serves as the country’s biggest commercial waterway and has been in use for trade since the sixth century. The Ayeyarwady River is also used for irrigation in the country. Tigris Along with Euphrates, the Tigris River is another historically important river of Asia which flows through the region of Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Emerging from Lake Hazar, the river flows for 1,850 kilometers before reaching its mouth at Shatt al-Arab. The historically important region of the Fertile Crescent was formed by Tigris along with its western sister channel, the Euphrates. This region gave birth to some of the world’s earliest civilizations. Today, the Tigris River serves the purpose of hydroelectric power generation through a number of dams built to store its water. Angara River The Angara River is an important water channel running through southeastern Siberia in Russia. It forms the headwater tributary of the great Yenisei River and is the outlet of the Baikal Lake. Angara rises northeast of the lake and runs for 1,779 kilometers, discharging 4,530 cubic meters of water per second on average. One of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world has been built at Bratsk where a dam stores the river’s water. In addition, there are two other dams serving the same purpose. This makes the Angara River of Russia one of the biggest sources of power generation.

Moreover, the Angara basin is enriched with metal and fossil fuel deposits, such as gold, iron, aluminum and coal. These are some of the greatest rivers of the continent. There are numerous other smaller rivers flowing through Asia, enriching it with their valuable resources and making its land fertile and irrigable.

Question: The Yangtze River is on which continent?
Answer: Asia