The Mekong River - WorldAtlas.com The Mekong River 2,705 miles in length, the Mekong snakes through Myanmar, China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Southeast Asian hill country along the Mekong. 5. Description The longest river in Southeast Asia, the Mekong arises in the Qinghai province of China before going about traversing 5 more countries. Namely, these are Burma (Myanmar), the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. After the long journey, the river finally drains into the South China Sea. The river covers a course of around 4,350 kilometers and drains an area of approximately 810,000 square kilometers. The flow of the river is divided into two regions based on the geographical differences of the river system. The Upper Mekong basin includes the river from its point of origin from the Za Qu in the Tibetan Plateau until it reaches the Yunnan highlands of China. The rest of the river basin, all the way to the Mekong's drainage into the South China Sea in Vietnam, is designated as the Lower Mekong basin.

The Mekong River is also a global biodiversity hotspot, next only to the South American Amazon in terms of the species diversity found in its basin. It also supports the largest inland fishery in the world. Millions of people inhabit the region around the Mekong basin, most of whom are dependent on the river for their respective livelihoods and lifestyles. 4. Historical Role For centuries, the Mekong River has played a significant role in the lives of the people living in and around its river basin. The river is thus endowed with a long and rich history of its own. It is possible that human settlements in the Mekong River region existed as early as 210 BC, as evidenced by the unravelling of the archaeological details of the Ban Chiang archaeological site in Thailand. The most prominent example of early architecture built along the banks of the river is the Angkor Wat of Cambodia, built in the 12th Century by a ruler of the Khmer Empire. Between the 16th and 19th Centuries, several European expeditions were directed into the Mekong, with the first systematic one being the French Mekong Expedition.

Lasting between 1866 and 1868, the French Mekong Expedition was led by Francis Garnier and Ernest Doudart de Lagrée. In more recent years, the Mekong River Delta also played a strategic role in the regional wars of the area, as well as the Vietnam War of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s in the tumultuous period following the end of French Indochina. 3. Modern Significance As per estimates, around 2 million tons of fish are caught annually in the Mekong River, with these landed fish being meant both for domestic consumption and export. The annual export value of the Mekong’s fisheries is estimated to be $3.9 to $7 billion USD. The Mekong River Delta is responsible for generating over 50% of Vietnam’s staple food crops, especially rice in the paddies flooded along it. More than 80% of the 40 million strong population living along the lower Mekong River basin depend on the river for their food and income.

The construction of hydroelectric dams on the river system also generates electric power that supplies electricity to millions of homes based on the banks of the river and well beyond. Even though the upper reaches of the river system provide considerable challenges for navigation, the river is still an important trade route connecting the six countries through which it flows, not only with each other, but as well as with the rest of the world. Important cities and towns, like Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, are located on the banks of the Mekong River. 2. Habitat The Mekong River supports an incredible variety of flora and fauna throughout the entire course from its source to its mouth. As per WWF reports, in 2014 alone 139 new species were identified in the Greater Mekong Region. The river is inhabited by at least 1,100 freshwater fish species, including the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish and the Irrawaddy dolphins. Besides the fish in the waters, the Greater Mekong Region also sustains a wide variety of terrestrial habitats, ranging from moist rainforests to grassland ecosystems as well as wetlands.

20,000 species of plants, 1,200 avian species, 430 mammal species, and a large variety of amphibians, reptiles, and insects also inhabit the region. Around 350 endangered Indochinese tigers wander in the forests of the Greater Mekong Region, their numbers having been greatly dilapidated over the years by poaching and habitat destruction. Another notable species of this region include the saola, a rare ungulate which was discovered in 1992. Among the reptiles, the endangered Siamese crocodile and the famous saltwater crocodile are worth mentioning. 1. Threats and Disputes Large scale subsistence fishing, accompanied with illegal fishing, and improper and unregulated fishing practices in both, has led to a harrowing decline in the fish populations of the Mekong River. A number of ecologically significant species of fish, like the giant carp, Mekong giant catfish, and the giant sting ray, are all suffering a steep decline in their respective numbers. Climate change powered by global warming is also going to take its toll on the Mekong's ecology.

It is possible that a rapid melting, and subsequent depletion, of the Himalayan glaciers, which are feeding the Mekong, could lead to a drop in the water level of this river in the future. Prior to this, a rise in sea level also threatens a mass scale flooding of the Mekong River Delta in coastal Vietnam. Though the effects of climate change might take a few years to exert their full blown impacts on the river, a more severe and immediate threat is already causing the downfall of the Mekong River's ecosystem. The construction of a large number of dams along the course of the river, and the ongoing ambitious endeavor of the Xayaburi Dam project in China, threaten to destroy and damage life along the river, while at the same time displacing large sections of the human population. Such development is pushing several rare, unique, and endemic species like the Mekong giant catfish towards the brink of extinction. Even the Irrawaddy dolphins could suffer immediate deaths from the killer sound waves generated in the water during the blasting of the rocks during the dam construction. This page was last modified on June 6, 2016.

On WorldAtlas.com Mekong River | river, Southeast Asia | Britannica.com river, Southeast Asia Alternative Titles: Lan-ts’ang Chiang, Lancang Jiang, Mae Nam Khong, Mékôngk River, Mènam Khong, Song Cuu Long, Sông Tiên Giang Related Topics Khone Falls Mekong River, Cambodian Mékôngk, Laotian Mènam Khong, Thai Mae Nam Khong, Vietnamese Sông Tiên Giang, Chinese (Pinyin) Lancang Jiang or (Wade-Giles) Lan-ts’ang Chiang, river that is the longest river in Southeast Asia , the 7th longest in Asia , and the 12th longest in the world. It has a length of about 2,700 miles (4,350 km). Rising in southeastern Qinghai province, China , it flows through the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan province, after which it forms part of the international border between Myanmar (Burma) and Laos , as well as between Laos and Thailand . The river then flows through Laos, Cambodia , and Vietnam before draining into the South China Sea south of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

Vientiane (Viangchan), the capital of Laos, and Phnom Penh , the capital of Cambodia, both stand on its banks. About three-fourths of the drainage area of the Mekong lies within the four countries the river traverses on its lower course—Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Irrawaddy and Mekong river basins and their drainage networks. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Overview of the Mekong River and its declining fish population. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Physical features The Mekong River drains more than 313,000 square miles (810,000 square km) of land, stretching from the Plateau of Tibet to the South China Sea . Among Asian rivers, only the Yangtze and Ganges have larger minimum flows. Mekong River delta, southern Vietnam. M. Gifford/De Wys Inc. The contrast between the physical conditions that prevail above and below the Mekong’s descent from the Yunnan highlands divide it into two major parts.

The upper Mekong flows 1,215 miles (1,955 km) through a long, narrow valley comprising roughly one-fourth of the total area, cutting through the mountains and plateaus of southwestern China. The lower Mekong, below the point where it forms the border between Myanmar and Laos, is a stream 1,485 miles (2,390 km) in length draining the Khorat Plateau of northeastern Thailand, the western slopes of the Annamese Cordillera in Laos and Vietnam, and most of Cambodia, before reaching the sea through the distributary channels of its delta in southern Vietnam. Similar Topics Godavari River In its upper reaches, the Mekong rises in the Tibetan Plateau between the Salween and Yangtze rivers; the streambed has cut deeply into the rugged landscape through which it flows. Along its course between Myanmar and Laos, the Mekong drains about 8,000 square miles (21,000 square km) of territory in Myanmar, comprising rough and relatively inaccessible terrain.

In its more gentle lower stretches, where for a considerable distance it constitutes the boundary between Laos and Thailand, the Mekong inspires both conflict and cooperation among Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Physiography The sources of the Mekong, including its principal headstream, the Za Qu River, rise at an elevation of more than 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) on the north slope of the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai province. They flow southeast through the Qamdo (Chamdo) region of Tibet, where the Za Qu joins other headstreams to form the main stream, called the Lancang in Chinese. It descends south across the highlands of Yunnan, through which it carves a deep valley, to a point south of Jinghong , where it briefly marks the border between Myanmar and China. The river then bends southwest; over a reach of more than 125 miles (200 km) it forms the Myanmarese-Laotian border.

Although two great roads cross it—the caravan route from the southeast to Lhasa and the road from Kunming to Myanmar—much of the river valley in the highlands of Tibet and Yunnan is remote and sparsely populated. Below Myanmar, the river basin may be divided into six major sections on the basis of landforms, vegetation, and soils: the northern highlands, Khorat Plateau, eastern highlands, southern lowlands, southern highlands, and delta . Most of the vegetation in the lower basin is of the tropical broad-leaved variety, although the occurrence of individual species varies with latitude and topography . Britannica Stories Scientists Ponder Menopause in Killer Whales The northern highlands have highly folded ranges that reach elevations of about 9,000 feet (2,700 metres) above sea level, many with steep slopes. As far south as Vientiane, these dissected uplands (i.e., cut by erosion into hills and valleys) are covered with dense deciduous forest that has deteriorated as a result of frequent cutting and burning for shifting cultivation.

The Mekong’s important tributaries in this region include the Tha , the Ou , and the Ngum rivers, all draining northern Laos. All About Asia To the south of the east-west course of the river below Vientiane lies the Khorat Plateau , which embraces almost all of the Thai portion of the basin as well as the lower parts of the Mekong’s Laotian tributaries. This is an area of gently rolling hills set amid relatively flat alluvial plains. Soils and deciduous vegetation on the hills are thin, and much of the original forest has been replaced by grassland as a result of grazing and repeated burning. The Songkhram River drains the northern part of the plateau and enters the Mekong above Tha Uthen in Thailand. The Mun River —one of the Mekong’s most important tributaries—drains the majority of the plateau and joins the Mekong at Ban Dan, Thailand. The eastern highlands form part of the Annamese Cordillera, from which streams drain west into the Mekong.

Throughout most of the distance between Ky Son (Muong Sen) in northern Vietnam and Ban Hèt in southern Laos, the watershed forms the border between Vietnam to the east and Laos to the west. There is greater relief in the northern than the southern parts of the watershed, but the highlands in general are characterized by rapid streams that flow through narrow valleys before entering the lowlands bordering the Mekong. The Mekong’s most important tributaries in this region are the Kading, the Bangfai, the Banghiang, and the Kong—which, with its affluent the San, drains a large area of southern Laos, central Vietnam, and eastern Cambodia. Forest degradation , which has resulted from lumbering, shifting cultivation, and grazing, is widespread in this region. The southern lowlands border both sides of the Mekong below Pakxé (Pakse) in Laos. The Mekong enters Cambodia with a sudden plunge at Khone Falls. Between the falls and Krâchéh there are rapids interspersed with alluvial plains. Below Kâmpóng Cham the river’s gradient becomes gentle, and it flows through wide stretches of alluvium in its floodplain.

Near Phnom Penh a junction occurs between the Mekong and the Sab River, which connects it to the Tonle Sap , sometimes called the Great Lake . The direction of flow of the Sab River varies according to the season. During the peak flood season, when the level of the Mekong is high, waters flow through the Sab River to the lake, which then expands from a little more than 1,000 square miles (2,600 square km) to a maximum of about 4,000 square miles (10,400 square km). In the dry season when the floods subside, the Sab reverses its flow to drain southeastward into the Mekong. The Tonle Sap is a highly productive fishing ground. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The Dâmrei (Elephant) and Krâvanh (Cardamom) mountains in southwestern Cambodia constitute the southern highlands. Several streams flow from these uplands into the Tonle Sap. The river divides into two branches below Phnom Penh: the Mekong proper and the Bassac (Basak). Below this point the delta spreads out to the sea.

It has a total area of about 25,000 square miles (65,000 square km) and can be divided into three major sections. The upper section, above Chau Doc (Chau Phu), has strong natural levees (embankments built on either side of the river by accumulated deposits of silt) behind which are low, wide depressions. The middle section has some areas that are well drained, others that are poorly drained and swampy. Along the lower section, formed by the river mouths and by the area to the southwest, sediment carried down from the upper river is in the process of being deposited, and the flooding is less extreme than in the upper sections of the delta. The area north of the Ca Mau Peninsula is forested and swampy. Climate and hydrology The Mekong’s flow comes chiefly from rainfall in its lower basin, which fluctuates seasonally with the monsoon winds. In April the flow is ordinarily at its lowest. In May or June—as the rain-bearing southerly monsoon winds arrive—the flow begins to increase, with an especially rapid increase in the eastern and northern highlands.

The Mekong’s highest water levels occur as early as August or September in the upper reaches and as late as October in the southern reaches. The northeasterly monsoon wind, beginning ordinarily in November in the southern areas, brings dry weather until May. During the long dry period, rice cultivation is impossible without irrigation, and the river’s waters are vital to agricultural production. Britannica Lists & Quizzes National Academic Quiz Tournaments, LLC School You Gotta Know These Asian Rivers Asia is home to seven of the world's twelve longest rivers, but its waterways are also of high cultural, spiritual, and economic importance. Here are the ten Asian rivers that every quiz bowl team should be familiar with. The Yangtze (or Chang Jiang or Ch'ang Chiang) is the longest river in China and Asia and the third longest in the world. It rises in the Kunlun Mountains, flows across the Tibetan Plateau, passes the cities of Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shanghai, and empties into the South China Sea. Its basin is China's granary and is home to nearly one in every three Chinese citizens.

The river has been in the news for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest, which will reduce flooding but displace 1.5 million people and bury more than 1,300 known archaeological sites. The Brahmaputra (or Tsangpo or Jamuna) runs 1,800 miles from its source in the Tibetan Himalayas; it starts eastward across the plateau, then turns south into the Indian state of Assam, and then enters Bangladesh where it merges with the Ganges to form the world's largest delta. While serving as a historical route to Tibet, the river is also prone to disastrous flooding. The Yellow River (or Huang He or Huang Ho) is, at 3,400 miles, China's second-longest; it is also the most important to the northern half of the country. It rises in Qinghai province and flows into the Bohai Gulf of the Yellow Sea. The river's name comes from the extraordinary amount of loess silt that it carries, an average of 57 pounds for every cubic yard of water. Among its notable features is the Grand Canal, built during the Ming Dynasty, that links it to the Yangtze.

The Ganges (or Ganga) is the holiest river of Hinduism. It rises in the Himalayas and flows a comparatively short 1,560 miles to the world's largest delta on the Bay of Bengal. Among that delta's distributaries are the Hooghly (on whose banks Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) may be found) and the Padma (which enters Bangladesh). Approximately one in every twelve human beings lives in the Ganges Basin, a population density that is rapidly polluting the river; a significant source of that pollution is cremated remains. The Mekong is the chief river of Southeast Asia. It originates in eastern Tibet, forms much of the Laos-Thailand border, flows south through Cambodia, and enters the South China Sea in southern Vietnam just south of Ho Chi Minh City. The capital cities of Vientiane and Phnom Penh are on the Mekong. The building of dams and clearing of rapids are a source of diplomatic conflict between China, Laos, and Cambodia. The Tigris is the eastern of the two rivers that define the historic region of Mesopotamia (meaning, "The Land Between Two Rivers") that was home to the ancient civilizations of Sumer and Akkad.

It rises in Turkey, then flows southeast by Mosul, Tikrit, and Baghdad before joining the Euphrates to make the Shatt-al-Arab, which subsequently empties into the Persian Gulf. The Euphrates defines the western border of Mesopotamia; it also rises in the Zagros Mountains of Turkey and its shores are home to Fallujah and Babylon. It is the longer of the two rivers with a course of 1,740 miles (compared to the Tigris' 1,180). Both the Tigris and the Euphrates have changed courses several times leaving ruins in the desert where cities have been abandoned. The Irrawaddy (or Ayeyarwaddy) is the chief river of Myanmar (also known as Burma). It flows 1,350 miles past Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and Mandalay to the Gulf of Martaban, an arm of the Bay of Bengal. Its delta is one of the world's most important rice-growing regions, and its name is thought to come from the Sanskrit word for "elephant." The Indus is the chief river of Pakistan as well as being the ultimate source of the name of India.

It rises in Tibet and flows 1,800 miles to a delta on the Arabian Sea southeast of Karachi. The five major tributaries of the Indus, the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej Rivers, are the source of the name of the Punjab region, which is Persian for "Land of the Five Rivers". The Indus is the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's earliest urban areas, whose main cities were Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. The Jordan River rises in Syria from springs near Mount Hermon. It flows south to Lake Merom, through the Sea of Galilee, and into the Dead Sea, which lies 1,300 feet below sea level. The river forms the nation of Jordan's boundary with the West Bank and northern Israel. In the New Testament, the river was the site of the baptism of John the Baptist. In modern times, about 80% of its water is diverted for human use, a figure that has led to the shrinking of the Dead Sea and serious contention among bordering nations. This article was contributed by NAQT writer Raj Dhuwalia.

Mekong river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap: What's it like? Radio Times Travel offer: Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, 15 days from £1,799pp The steamers that glide up towards Siem Reap and back (constantly through most of the year) are cocoons. Some are wood-panelled, venerable, velveteen lush; some, like the one we travelled on, brand spanking new. But they all provide a high ratio of staff to between 40 and 60 passengers – and they must compete on food, drink, service, so standards are set high. Our cabin felt like a five-star hotel. So, what shall we see today? A floating market. The house of the man who inspired Marguerite Duras’s famous novel, L’Amant. A bird sanctuary. A fish farm. A village that makes silver jewellery or one that carves stone. And, inevitably, one Buddhist temple after another. You sometimes moor beside a steepish bank and clamber up; sometimes you must hop on a sampan in mid-river. We’re over the border now – leave your passports at the desk and it’s all automatic.

Cambodia is not Vietnam. An Asian victim not an embryo tiger. Vietnam is speeding ahead while Cambodia lags far behind, growing rice, making cheap clothes and destroying the forests that made it green. The malignant legacy of Pol Pot, his Khmer Rouge and their killing fields refuses to die. And yet the ordinary people you meet, scraping a village living, are warm and cheerful and welcoming. Phnom Penh isn’t Saigon – too ramshackle, too chained to the Third World – but it fizzes with life and laughter. Trees grow over the ruins of the Angkor temples in Cambodia The crew on your boat will probably be Cambodian, a floating community. Tourism is their way out of poverty. Look how Siem Reap – a final bus ride away – has become a boomtown of hotels, restaurants and guided tours. And Angkor Wat, of course, is one of the wonders of our world, temples of ambition and energy a thousand years old. Go early in the day or late in the afternoon: the crowds (pouring down from China as well as the West) are enormous. There’s a grim feeling that so many tramping feet will soon erode the wonder. But, for the moment at least, just go.

Yet still, in an odd way, the most memorable moments of this cruise into history aren’t hewed from local sandstone. They’re back on the boat that brought you here, where, at dusk, the sky turns pink and red and gold, a vision rippling across the Mekong that your fellow passengers – often Australians, Canadians, Brits – climb on deck to share. Will the great river, already in pawn to China’s thirst for water, remain so beautiful for long? Will Vietnam sprint so fast into commerce that the charm goes begging? Questions with that same Angkor Wat answer: go while you still can. Seize the memory now. Peter Preston writes for The Observer and is a former editor of the Guardian Find a Mekong river cruise Overview From China to Vietnam, the Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia and offers a glimpse into the long history and diverse cultures of the region. The 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia, it flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

As home to roughly 1,000 species of fish, 20,000 plant species, and hundreds of bird, reptile, and mammal species, the Mekong is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world—second only to the Amazon River. See daily life come alive as you pass traditional villages, experience glorious sunsets, and learn about the activities, history, and cultures along this amazing river. Fast Facts Watch & Learn About the Mekong River Geography The Mekong River connects six countries in Southeast Asia and flows through six distinct geographical regions, each with characteristic features of elevation, topography, and land cover. It originates on the Tibetan Plateau and flows down to the mountainous area through the Yunnan Province in the Hengduan Mountains. After leaving China, it forms the border between Laos and Myanmar (Burma) for roughly 62 miles. It then creates the border between Thailand and Laos, and flows east and south into Laos for roughly 250 miles. This stretch through Laos is characterized by gorges, rapids, and shallow depths during the dry season. It then marks the border between Thailand and Laos again before it passes through the capital of Laos.

This is followed by a short stretch through Laos alone, including the region above Khone Falls, which are mostly too treacherous for river traffic. Below Laos, it becomes much wider and before it crosses into Cambodia, the Mekong comes together with the Mun River. In Cambodia, it receives the Sap River and flows through the capital of Cambodia. As it goes into Vietnam, the Mekong slows and splits into smaller channels of the Mekong Delta. It finally discharges into the South China Sea. History The Mekong River is steeped in a long history, and for thousands of years, it has been the lifeline of the populations that depend on it for survival. The earliest settlements along the river date to 2100 BC with the first recorded civilization—the Indianised-Khmer culture of Funan—dating to the 1st century. Excavations have uncovered coins from as far away as the Roman Empire. In the 5th century, the Khmer culture Chenla existed along the Mekong, and the Khmer empire of Angkor was the last great Indianized state in the region.

Roughly 700 years ago, the Thai people escaped from South China across the Mekong to form the kingdom of Siam (now Thailand), and the Mekong protected Siam from invasions. The same ethnic group also settled in Laos. In 1540, the Portuguese Antonio de Faria was the first European to discover the Mekong. Although Europeans showed only some interest in the Mekong, the Spaniards and Portuguese did launch some missionary and trade expeditions to the area, and the Dutch led an expedition up the Mekong in 1641-42. In the mid-19th century, the French led an exploration on the river between 1866 to 1868 and discovered that the Mekong had too many rapids and waterfalls to ever be useful for navigation. From 1893, the French enlarged their control of the river into Laos until the First and Second Indochina Wars ended French involvement in the region. During the Vietnam War, the west bank of the Mekong provided a basis for raids against the advance of the communist armies in Laos.

After the war, anti-communist forces fled west across the Mekong to refugee camps in northern Thailand. The tensions between the U.S.-backed Thai government and the new Communist governments in the other countries prohibited cooperation on the river's use. The Mekong has long been regarded as the foundation of Southeast Asia's economic growth and prosperity—necessitating cooperation between the countries. In 1995, the "Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin" signed by the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam formed the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The MRC facilitates joint management of the shared water resources and collaboration on development issues. In 1996, China and Burma became Dialogue Partners of the MRC. Today, peace has returned to the Mekong, and much of it remains undeveloped and even unexplored. It is closely tied to the daily lives and culture of over 60 million people—people who depend on it for transportation as well as for water for cooking, irrigation, cleaning, and sanitation.

For these 60 million—many of whom live in poverty—the fish and other resources in the river account for most of the protein in their diets and for their survival. However, life along the river is changing, as China has already constructed large dams on the river with plans for many more. Highlights In Vietnam, cruise the massive Mekong Delta that covers an area of some 15,000 square miles. This picturesque area is dotted by rice paddies, fish farms, fruit orchards, and more. The rice produced in the delta accounts for over half of Vietnam's rice production, so it's no surprise that it is commonly referred to as the "rice bowl" of the country. Near the end of the Mekong River is Cai Be. Close to Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be is best known for its busy floating market, where locals transport goods to the market via rafts and boats. Nearby is Sa Dec, where the French writer Marguerite Duras lived. Duras had a love affair with Huynh Thuy Le, the son of a wealthy Chinese family, which became the inspiration for the film L'Amant-The Lover.

The public can now tour the house of Huynh Thuy Le. Chau Doc, situated near the Cambodian border, is one of Vietnam's most multicultural cities with large Cham, Chinese, Khmer, and Vietnamese communities. The influence of these communities can be seen in their places of worship—mosques, temples, and churches—making it an interesting town to visit. See nearby Sam Mountain, with its beautiful views and numerous pagodas and temples. After crossing the Cambodia border, visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital and largest city. The capital since the French colonized Cambodia, Phnom Penh has retained its French charm and is the center of politics, economics, and heritage. Here, learn about the sobering Khmer Rouge regime. Other highlights include the Killing Fields, National Museum, Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda. The quaint and charming town of Kampong Cham is an important trade and transportation center on the Mekong. Cambodia's third largest city, Kampong Cham's history—dating back many centuries—can be seen in its archeological treasures. Nearby is Wat Hanchey, a temple dating back to the 8th century, where you can enjoy spectacular views.

Also nearby are the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues. Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and has been designated as a UNESCO biosphere. After the rainy season, the Tonle Sap backs up to form a huge lake, which provides the perfect breeding ground for fish, providing food for the people living in the floating villages on the lake. This is the most picturesque part of your journey as the river narrows and passes through villages and woodlands. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular ruins on earth. These ancient temples, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, are unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. See many of the temples, including spectacular Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century and honoring the Hindu god Vishnu, and Banteay Srei, the 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Cruiser Profile The Mekong River offers an opportunity for travelers to learn about new cultures and experience a different way of life.

From ancient temples to modern palaces and from traditional villages to bustling cities, the Mekong boasts an experience like no other. Explorers will delight in the mix of new languages, traditions, and lifestyles as they cruise down this mighty river, while nature lovers are sure to enjoy the sunsets and scenery offered along the way. At the end of the journey, travelers will have an in-depth understanding of life along the river and the people who depend on it. Did You Know? In China, the Mekong River is called the Lancang Jiang, meaning "Turbulent River." The name derives from the Thai language's Mae Nam, meaning "Mother of Water." In 2009, 145 new species were described from the Mekong Region, including two new bird species, five mammals, 96 plants, six new amphibians, and 29 fish species previously unknown to science. The Mekong has more large fish—including the Mekong giant catfish, which can weigh up to 660 lbs. and grow to be almost 10 ft.—than any other river. The Mekong River Basin is almost the size of France and Germany put together.

It would take 48 hours of driving at roughly 62 MPH to drive the same distance as the length of the Mekong River. China-Mekeong final I. CASE BACKGROUND 1. Abstract The Mekong River basin has long been an irreplaceable source of water and fish for the villages along its banks. In recent years, though, demands for industrialization and growth have put new pressures on the Mekong and its habitats. Several countries, including Laos, Thailand and China, have constructed hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River to satisfy their growing needs in energy. While these developments are necessary from an economic standpoint, they can be very detrimental to Mekong’s vital ecosystems. For example, the vitality and very existence of Tonle Sap, a river and lake system in Cambodia, depends heavily on annual flooding of the Mekong during the monsoon season. Existence of dams, combined with other detrimental human interference like deforestation and pollution, however, causes the Mekong water level to drop, making flooding less viable. Greater development along the Mekong may eventually lead to complete cessation of the Tonle Sap flooding. 2.

Description The Mekong River has long played a vital role in the livelihoods of people who live on its banks. It originates in Tibet, then flows through Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, before finally discharging into the South China Sea. Because its exact source cannot be determined, due to existence of several tributaries in inaccessible environments, Mekong’s true length is uncertain, but it’s estimated at more than 4,800 km, with total area of drainage basin at around 810,000 sq km [ 1 ]. Mekong’s potential has been traditionally utilized both as a source of water and of sustenance, but in recent years it has become increasingly important for economic growth of countries it irrigates. A series of major development projects have been completed on the Mekong, and many more are underway. For the most part, governments construct hydroelectric dams on the river to supplement their other sources of electricity generation.

China, which gained notoriety for the colossal and environmentally detrimental Three Gorges Dam project, is also engaged in an extensive program of dam-building on the river: it has already completed two, at Manwan (in 1993) and at Dachaoshan (in 2003), while at least another four are under consideration [ 2 ]. Dams inevitably affect the flow of the rivers, especially during the filling stage, and such was the case with the Mekong, when its water level dropped dramatically following the completion of the Manwan dam. But China’s upstream position on the Mekong makes the effects of damming much more significant. Because China’s dams are upstream, when they affect the seasonal fluctuations in water volume, the downstream countries feel the effect of reduced flows and fish stocks most acutely. It is feared that in addition to reducing the river volumes, the dams will prevent nutrient-rich sediment from flowing, which would cause serious harm to agriculture and fishing downstream. Among the areas in greatest danger is the Tonle Sap river-and-lake system in Cambodia, which is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia.

Because this area is home to more than 400 species of fish, as well as many species of mammals and reptiles, it is a veritable hotspot of biodiversity that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997 [ 3 ]. Through a unique natural process, the Tonle Sap, which is fairly small and shallow for the most of the year, increases in size and volume almost nine-fold during the monsoon season when the Mekong floods and pushes water into the lake. Due to its rich biodiversity, the Tonle Sap floodplain is one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world, supporting over 3 million people and providing at least 60% of the Cambodians’ protein intake [ 4 ]. The problem is further complicated by the overall decline of the Mekong River, caused by adverse human interference and climate change. While exact origins of the Mekong have not been identified, it is known that its source lies somewhere in the mountains of Tibet. Every spring, when the ice melts the resulting water flows into the river, replenishing it.

With Asia becoming hotter and drier as a consequence of climate change, the glaciers that provide Mekong’s water may diminish with time, supplying less and less water with each consequent year. Such decline in water supply at the source, exacerbated by excessive demands imposed on the Mekong’s flow by filling of dam basins, may lead to severe deterioration of the Tonle Sap and its biosphere. Relevant Laws and Legal Recourse All countries on the Mekong River watershed, with the notable exceptions of China and Myanmar (Burma), belong to the Mekong River Commission (MRC). Founded in 1995 with the signing of the Agreement of the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, the organization seeks to ensure “reasonable and equitable” use of international waters and the concept of “sovereign equality” when it comes to development on the river and use of its waters [ 5 ]. In developing upper Mekong for navigation and hydropower projects – the Upper Mekong Navigation Improvement Project (UMNP) and the planned cascade of eight dams in Yunnan – China has acted unilaterally and without consultation with downstream nations.

Beijing maintains that China is within its sovereign rights to do what it wants on its portion of the river, and, not being a member of the MRC, China is under no obligation to notify or consult with downstream countries or “to share data on its plans or on its operation of existing dams” [ 6 ]. To emphasize this point, China has steadfastly insisted on calling its section of the river Lancang-Jiang (the Chinese name of the Mekong), stressing the fact that the dams are being constructed on a Chinese river and decisions about its use are subject only to Chinese sovereign interests. China’s work on the Mekong gained legal status in 2000 with the signing of an Agreement on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River by China, Burma, Thailand and Laos [ 7 ]. However, many other countries affected, like Cambodia, were not party to this agreement. Furthermore, the economically and strategically weaker downstream nations have been reluctant to bring criticism against the Chinese Mekong dam cascade for the fear of jeopardizing their economic ties with China: Laos has its own dam-building projects; Thailand plans to buy some of the electricity generated by the Chinese dams; and Cambodia is China’s largest aid recipient [ 8 ].

The United Nations’ 1997 Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses requires nations sharing a waterway to “coordinate development and lessen the effect on downstream communities” [ 9 ]. But, here too, China’s downstream neighbors are unlikely to seek legal recourse, largely due to their reliance on China’s economic assistance. 3. Duration 1993 (completion of the Manwan dam) – Present 4. Location Region: Southeast Asia Countries: China and Cambodia Location: Mekong River basin, covering China’s Yunnan province, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. 5. Actors While China and Cambodia are primary actors, the transboundary nature of the river’s flow does not preclude other countries of the Mekong basin from becoming involved. 6. Type of Environmental Problem: Habitat Loss [HABIT] Other Environmental Categories Affected: Species Loss Dams generate hydroelectricity and create irrigation reserves for agricultural production by sequestering water in reservoirs, which is then directed into irrigation system or used to power electricity-generating turbines.

However, the filling of any reservoir with water requires extended diversions of river flows into the reservoir, diminishing the flows that reach downstream areas, and, in cases of big or multiple dams, can irreversibly change the ecosystem and water table downstream. As the case of the Laotian dam on the Mekong has already demonstrated, the reduced water flow in the river can also cause an intrusion of saline water, which can greatly harm the farmland and forests, killing vegetation and making agriculture impossible. More importantly, the drop in water levels and increased salinization can lead to decline in fish populations in the Tonle Sap fishery—an event that threatens dire consequences for Cambodia, since Tonle Sap fish are the main protein source for Cambodia’s population, and up to 60 million people in the basin [ 10 ] [ 11 ]. Because dams alter the natural environment by changing access to, quantity and quality of water, the number of species affected (from humans to fish) is innumerable. In 2003, a team of researchers from the Finnish Environment Institute concluded that China’s Manwan dam cut the amount of sediment in the water at Chiang Saen, Thailand by one-half.

The researchers further established that China’s network of dams would likely lead to “lower water levels in the river, less flooding of the Tonle Sap, less transfer of nutrient-rich sediment–and a degraded fishery” [ 12 ]. 7. Type of Habitat: Tropical Like in most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s climate is dominated by monsoons. As a consequence, Cambodia has roughly two seasons—wet and dry—which occur because of the distinct difference between periods of heavy rainfall and flows of drier, cooler air, respectively. 8. Act and Harm Sites Act Site China Cambodia (Tonle Sap) China builds a new dam on the Mekong, filling of which results in catastrophic drop in the water level, rendering inundation of Tonle Sap impossible, which in turn prevents fish spawning and decimates fish populations. 9. Type of Conflict: Bilateral 10. Level of Conflict: Threat Although no bullet has been fired up to now over the Mekong River damming and Tonle Sap depletion, any conflict, if it occurs, is bound to be between unequally matched partners. Consider a situation where Cambodia will plead its case before China, the region’s economic and military leviathan.

Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that the consequences of any clash will be disastrous both for the region’s fragile ecosystem and its burgeoning economic development. 11. Fatality Level of Dispute (military and civilian fatalities): 0 12. Environment-Conflict Link and Dynamics: Impact of Chinese Dams and Climate Change on Tonle Sap Legend The established mechanism through which flooding of the Tonle Sap occurs is a natural process. Water run-offs from melting icecaps in Tibet replenish water in the Mekong, which in turn provides water for the flooding of the Tonle Sap in monsoon season. However, natural and man-made intrusions (climate change and Chinese dams on the upper Mekong) disrupt these natural processes, and have an adverse effect on the Tonle Sap. Thus, because Asia becomes hotter and drier as a consequence of global climate change, icecaps will grow smaller year after year, and there will be less water released when these smaller icecaps melt. Since less water will be supplied into Mekong, less will be available for flooding of the Tonle Sap.

As was described in Section 6, Tonle Sap is an irreplaceable resource for breeding fish stocks and therefore, if Tonle Sap no longer floods, fish stocks will not grow, and Cambodians’ protein intake will decline. Similarly, because filling of dam basins required tremendous amounts of water, building of Chinese dams on the upper Mekong may also serve to decrease the Mekong water level, leading to cessation of Tonle Sap flooding and decline in fish population. 13. Level of Strategic Interest: Regional The spatial scope could be considered both bilateral and regional. This dispute is bilateral since it affects economies and environment of China and Cambodia, which are two parties directly involved. At the same time, the damming of the Mekong River is a regional issue, which has a possibility of rapidly escalating into an international crisis if not addressed properly. While China and Cambodia are the primary actors, this issue essentially concerns any nation in the Mekong River watershed, and, by extension, any other countries that border them, if the situation grows volatile. The accesses to water, fish stocks and potential for harvesting of hydroelectric power are all crucial points of this case.

It is important to keep in mind that China is not the only country upstream that builds dams on the Mekong, and Cambodia is not the only downstream one that stands to loose because of disruptions in the river’s flows. While geographic and cultural proximity and longstanding interactions between the countries will help in the mediation process, these states are not so interconnected that they cannot risk open conflict. 14. Outcome of Dispute: In Progress To date, no conflict has occurred between the actors involved. This issue has the potential of being resolved peacefully (either through mutually beneficial negotiation or as a consequence of China, which is economically and militarily stronger, imposing its will on its less powerful downstream neighbors), and it is not yet possible to predict the outcome. • Case No. 1, Nile River Dispute Access to the Nile's waters has already been defined as a vital national priority by many countries in the Nile basin, and some have stated their willingness to got to war over it. The case considers the destabilizing effects of struggle over water on peace and economic development in the region. • Case No. 6, Jordan River Dispute The relationship between environmental resources and conflict is examined using the ongoing dispute between Israel and Jordan over water supply of the Jordan river as example. • Case No.

14, Litani River and Israel-Lebanon The case looks at the struggles between Israel and Lebanon, although not always armed, for the waters of the Litani River. Water is scarce in the Middle East, and therefore, ownership of this valuable resource is a hotly contested topic. Although presently there is not an armed struggle over Litani, there is a history of armed clashes (in the 1967 war, and in 1982) and it is conceivable that in the future the struggles over it may become armed. • Case No. 77, Tigris-Euphrates River Dispute The case seeks to evaluate the conflict over water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers through evaluation of the situation created by the construction of the Southeastern Anatolia Development Project (GAP) by Turkey, and the reactions of Syria, Iran and Iraq, which are other riparian parties in the rivers’ basin. • Case No. 176, North-Korean Dam The case looks at the environmental and security threats posed to South Korea by the construction of a gigantic dam by North Korea in the Geumgang Mountain.

The ICE Expert Sorts System Trying to take full advantage of the ICE Expert Sorts System, the following search criteria were applied: As the field values and weighting indicate, access to water was deemed as the most important variable, while regional aspects were relegated secondary importance, since conflicts over water are, unfortunately, not particular to any one region of the world, but rather are common wherever two or more sovereign powers cannot agree on sharing this resource. The top five results of the weighted search are as follows: No.168 - Baglihar - In the mid 1990s India started construction on the Baglihar hydro-electric dam on the Chenab river. The dam is located in the disputed region of Kashmir. Kashmi... No.6 - Jordan - The struggle for fresh water in the Middle East was a primary cause of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has contributed to other military disputes in the region... No.14 - Litani - In the Middle East, the supply of water is much less than its demand, thereby resulting in conflict over it. This is true for Israel and Lebanon, where there...

No.99 - Mekong - How can Thailand, a country faced with at least four major environmental concerns -- deforestation, wildlife destruction, water scarcity, and urban environmenta... No.21 - Spratly - The Spratly Islands of the South China Sea are a potential tinder box in the region. Approximately 44 of the 51 small islands and reefs are claimed or occupied ... While none of these cases relate directly to Tonle Sap (and only one to the Mekong river), the overall results are extremely useful for drawing conclusions about how a conflict over water may evolve, regardless of geography or economic situation of the parties involved. The first conclusion is that conflicts are not only possible, they have happened, and therefore, preventive measures must be taken to ensure that animosity between two states over sharing a common water source does to transform into a military clash. The second conclusion is that access to rivers as a source of water for drinking and irrigation is not the sole cause of conflict. Other issues, like sovereign rights and environmental vs. economic needs are extremely relevant. The third conclusion is that sovereign parties can avert armed conflict through negotiation, which can be a happy example for any future disagreements over access to a common water source.

Works Cited [2] Pearce, Fred. “ Chinese dams blamed for Mekong’s bizarre flow .” NewScientist.com, Mar. 25, 2004. [3] " Tonle Sap ." UNESCO – MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory. [5] For more information, see Mekong River Commission . [6] Hirsch, Philip, Kurt Mørck Jensen et al. “Attachment 1: Case Studies”. National Interests and Transboundary Water Governance in the Mekong . Australian Mekong Resource Center, 2006 (pp. 12-16). [7] Ibid. p. 12. [8] Ibid. p. 14. [9] Goodman, Peter S. “Manipulating the Mekong”. Washington Post (Dec. 30, 2004): Page E01. [10] Bank-Netherlands Water Partnership Program. “ WTO Environmental Flow Case Study: Understanding the Dynamic Links Between Ecosystems and Water in the Mekong Basin .” [11] The importance of the Tonle Sap fishery cannot be overstated.

While fish can and do spawn upstream, the unique environment of Tonle Sap make is particularly suited for supporting and promoting fish stocks. Because food availability increases greatly when the Tonle Sap system floods during the monsoon seasons, fish can take advantage of such boon and breed more than would be possible if food were less available, as in other portions of the Mekong. Moreover, the fish stocks of Tonle Sap support not just Cambodian population: Migrations of fish from the Tonle Sap help “restock fisheries as far upstream as China and in many tributaries along the way”. (See: WWF, Greater Mekong Programme. “ Freshwater: lifeblood of the Greater Mekong .”) [12]Goodman, Peter S. “Manipulating the Mekong”. Washington Post (Dec. 30, 2004): Page E01. Note on image sources: All images obtained from the Wikimedia Commons , a project of the Wikimedia Foundation . Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License , Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. Click image to link to its source.

The causal diagram was created by the author, all rights reserved. 16. Relevant Websites and Literature “Integrated Water Resources Management on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia.” Special Issue. International Journal of Water Resources Development 22.3 (Sept 2006) “ Mekong .” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 25 Jan 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Milton Osborne. The Mekong, Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2000. Mekong - definition of Mekong by The Free Dictionary Mekong - definition of Mekong by The Free Dictionary Me·kong (mā′kông′, -kŏng′) A river of southeast Asia flowing about 4,500 km (2,800 mi) from southeast China to the South China Sea through a vast delta in southern Vietnam. The delta, a major rice-growing area, was the scene of heavy fighting during the Vietnam War.

Mekong (ˌmiːˈkɒŋ) n (Placename) a river in SE Asia, rising in SW China in Qinghai province: flows southeast forming the border between Laos and Myanmar, and part of the border between Laos and Thailand, then continues south across Cambodia and Vietnam to the South China Sea by an extensive delta, one of the greatest rice-growing areas in Asia. Length: about 4025 km (2500 miles) Me•kong (ˈmeɪ kɔŋ, -kɒŋ, ˈmi-) n. a river whose source is in SW China, flowing SE along most of the boundary between Thailand and Laos to the South China Sea. 2600 mi. (4200 km) long. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: May 10, 2013 Mekong Delta 10 Comments The Mekong has its source in the icy wastes of the eastern Tibetan plateau. It flows south and east, through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos , Cambodia and Vietnam, emptying into the South China Sea through a wide delta south of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The Mekong is of immense significance as a natural boundary. Its unpredictable waters and shifting bed make fording or bridging almost impossible. From the bottom of the river jagged rocks as sharp as teeth extend to and above the surface of the river, making navigation dangerous. The Mekong Delta was likely inhabited long since prehistory; the empire of Funan and later Chenla maintained a presence in the Mekong Delta for centuries.Archaeological discoveries at Oc Eo and other Funan sites show that the area was an important part of the Funan Kingdom, bustling with trading ports and canals as early as in the first century CE and extensive human settlement in the region may have gone back as far as the 4th century BCE. The region was known as Khmer Krom (lower Khmer, or lower Cambodia) to the Khmer Empire, which likely maintained settlements there centuries before its rise in the 11th and 12th centuries.

The kingdom of Champa, though mainly based along the coast of the South China Sea, is known to have expanded west into the Mekong Delta, seizing control of Prey Nokor (the precursor to modern-day Ho Chi Minh City) by the end of the 13th century. Beginning in the 1620s, Khmer king Chey Chettha II (1618–1628) allowed the Vietnamese to settle in the area, and to set up a custom house at Prey Nokor, which they colloquially referred to as Sài Gòn. The increasing waves of Vietnamese settlers which followed overwhelmed the Khmer kingdom—weakened as it was due to war with Thailand—and slowly Vietnamized the area. During the late 17th century, Mac Cuu, a Chinese anti-Qing general, began to expand Vietnamese and Chinese settlements deeper into Khmer lands, and in 1691, Prey Nokor was occupied by the Vietnamese. Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, a Vietnamese noble, was sent by the Nguyễn Lords of Huế by sea in 1698 to establish Vietnamese administrative structures in the area.

This act formally detached the Mekong Delta from Cambodia, placing the region firmly under Vietnamese administrative control. Cambodia was cut off from access to the South China Sea, and trade through the area was possible only with Vietnamese permission. During the Tay Son wars and the subsequent Nguyễn Dynasty, Vietnam’s boundaries were pushed as far as the Cape of Ca Mau. In 1802, Nguyễn Ánh crowned himself emperor Gia Long and unified all the territories comprising modern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta. Upon the conclusion of the Cochinchina Campaign in the 1860s, the area became Cochinchina, France’s first colony in Vietnam, and later, part of French Indochina. Beginning during the French colonial period, the French patrolled and fought on the waterways of the Mekong Delta region with their Divisions navales d’assaut (Dinassaut), a tactic which lasted throughout the First Indochina War, and was later employed by the US Navy Mobile Riverine Force.

During the Vietnam War—also referred to as the Second Indochina War—the Delta region saw savage fighting between Viet Cong (NLF) guerrillas and units of the United States Navy’s swift boats and hovercrafts (PACVs). Following independence from France, the Mekong Delta was part of the Republic of Vietnam and eventually the country of Vietnam. In the 1970s, the Khmer Rouge regime attacked Vietnam in an attempt to reconquer the Delta region. This campaign precipitated the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and subsequent downfall of the Khmer Rouge. Related Posts

Question: Which great river flows though China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to the South China Sea?
Answer: MEKONG