Which of these rivers is the longest. What is the largest river on Earth? the longest rivers, excluding the lengths of tributaries

What is the longest river in the world? In 2007, the world community was confused by the news that, thanks to new technologies for measuring the length of rivers, it was found that the longest river was not the Nile, as it was believed for a long time, but the Amazon.

Several factors play a role in the confrontation between the two great rivers:

• the length of the river may change over time;
• seasonal changes;
• the length of the Nile was influenced by the construction of dams. Now the length of the Nile is 6,852 km;
• sometimes it is difficult to determine the correct source of the river among the numerous tributaries.

For a long time, the length of the rivers was calculated only approximately, but studies carried out by comparing photographs from space and computer processing of information have proved: the longest river in the world is the Amazon.

Amazon Winner

The longest river flows in. Amazon is a record holder not only in length, but also in other indicators:

• the deepest in the world;
• the largest in the world in terms of basin area, which is more than 7100 thousand km², which is comparable to the area of ​​Australia. The total length of all tributaries of the Amazon is 25,000 km;
• more than 1 million representatives different types flora and fauna lives on its shores;
• the Amazon is home to more than 2,000 fish species, which is 30 times the number of fish species found in all water bodies of Europe combined;
• the basin area contains the world's largest tropical rainforest;
• more than 25% of all medicines are mined in the Amazon;
• at the beginning of the XXI century, under the Amazon at a depth of 4000 m, an underground river was discovered, named after the Indian scientist, explorer of the Amazon - Hamza.

Surprisingly, not a single bridge has been built across the Amazon. A single crossing connects the banks of the Rio Negro tributary.

In 2011, the Amazon was recognized as one of the wonders of the world.

Great nile

For a long time, the Nile, the great African waterway, the shrine of the ancient Egyptians, had the status of the longest river in the world. The source of the Nile is the confluence of Rukarara and Kagera in Rwanda. For a long time Lake Victoria was considered the source of the Nile. The delta area is 24,000 km². The Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

The whole life of the countries through which the longest river flows is determined by the Nile. It can be called the river of life that crosses the sultry sands of the Sahara Desert and never dries up anywhere. The water level depends on the abundance of precipitation in the upper reaches. To protect the population from annual floods, 3 dams were built. This has its pros and cons: on the one hand, agriculture has lost its natural fertilizer - silt; on the other hand, the area of ​​irrigated land expanded, and the harvest began to be collected 3 times a year. It is possible that dams have reduced the overall length of the Nile.

The Nile is the cradle of human civilization. On its shores in the IV millennium BC, one of the first agricultural states, with a developed culture and religion, arose - Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians called the Nile Itera - the Big River, and Herodotus wrote that Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Egypt, in fact, is the creation of a great river - 22% of the length of the Nile is located on the territory of this state.

On the banks of the Nile there are great cultural monuments - the pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings. Starting near Cairo, the Nile delta is staggering with its length - 260 km along Mediterranean Sea... All this makes Egypt a tourist oasis, the main jewel of which is the Nile.

Great Ob - the pride of Russia

On the territory there are about 2.5 million rivers - large and small, great and nameless. 84% fresh water concentrated in Siberia. The longest river in Russia, the Ob, also flows there. Its length from the source of the Irtysh, the left tributary of the Ob, is 5410 km. In fact, the longest watercourse in Russia is the Ob-Irtysh water system.

The Great Ob is born at the confluence of the Katun and Biya on the territory of Altai, gains power at the mouth of the Irtysh and flows into the Arctic Ocean, forming at the mouth of the Ob Bay - a bay with a length of more than 800 km.

Interesting Obi Facts:

• in summer and autumn, the water of the river has a striped structure. This is due to the fact that Katun and Biya different colour water. Katun carries greenish waters, and Biya - grayish or white;
• the length of the tributary of the Ob, the Irtysh, is greater than the length of the Ob itself. Together they make up the longest watercourse in Russia;
• at the mouth of the Irtysh, the width of the river reaches 3 - 7 km, and the depth - up to 20 m;
• at Novosibirsk, the Ob is blocked by a dam that forms the Ob Sea;
• The Ob is famous for its valuable species of fish: sturgeon, vendace, whitefish, omul, peled, nelma and other valuable species of fish are caught in it;
• The Ob is an important transport artery connecting the lands of 3 states: Russia, Kazakhstan, China.

Great rivers of the world - unique phenomena nature, connecting countries and peoples, giving life, beauty and prosperity.

The longest river in the world When asked what is the longest river, not everyone can answer correctly. Moreover, the length of the reservoirs is constantly changing due to the human factor. In this regard, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the text below so as not to ask such questions anymore.

The longest river in the world is the Nile or the Amazon? The nature on our planet is incredibly diverse and amazing. Yes, you can endlessly admire the creations created by human genius, but no one can compare with the beauty and power that nature has created. The waterways of the world deserve special attention, and the most important of them are the Nile River and the Amazon River. So what the longest river in the world, the Nile or Amazon? Even at school, all students will unconditionally answer this question in chorus: "Of course, Neil!" But scientists are currently debating whether this is actually the case.

Official figures say that the length of the Nile is 6,695 km. The river originates from Lake Victoria and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, crosses the territory of Egypt, Sudan and Uganda. In ancient times, it was this river that became the main source for the life and birth of one of the first human civilizations.
The climate on planet Earth is changing rapidly. And this is the "merit" of the human factor. What seemed incredible yesterday is today a harsh reality. This is what prompted Brazilian scientists in 2005 to recalculate the length of reservoirs, since it was not clear which is the longest river in the world, the Nile or the Amazon. It turned out that the river became 57 km shorter. Now the length is 6,852 km, which is 140 km shorter than the Amazon. We should also not forget about the construction of the Aswan Dam, which also led to the shallowing of the Nile reservoir.
Based on the foregoing, it is safe to say that the longest river in the world is the Amazon, which was officially approved in 2013.

What is the longest river in the world Recent school leavers learned in their geography lessons what is the longest river in the world. However, at present, this knowledge can be safely questioned. The fact is that the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 60s, as well as the influence of some natural factors, led to the fact that the once most powerful river became 140 km shorter. And this means that now the Amazon belongs to the palm tree. This river has several tributaries - Ucayali and Maranyon - and more recently, scientists discovered that the length of the South American river crossed the 7 thousand km line due to the fact that it was led from the source of the Ucayali.

A few more Amazon records

Today, the longest river in the world is not the only record held by the South African river. The Amazon is the largest pool in size and the most deep river, for which a special "thank you" to heavy rainfall. The river throws into Atlantic Ocean about 200 cubic meters of water, which means that the Amazon is able to provide every inhabitant of the globe with 1 liter of fresh water per second. By the way, about 1/5 of all fresh water directly that enters the World Ocean falls on the Amazon.
In some places, the width of the longest river in the world reaches such dimensions that it can easily be called a sea, since there is no way to see the opposite bank without an optical device.
In addition, the longest river can boast of its rich biological diversity - rare representatives of flora and fauna are found along the shores of the Amazon.

The length of the Amazon River is 6992 km.
More recently - in 2013, the length of the Amazon River took the palm from the Nile and now it is she who is the longest river in the whole world. It originates in Peru. Then, flowing through a narrow mountain valley, it forms several waterfalls and only after 700 km after its inception it becomes a wide navigable river. By the way, in some places the distance between the shores is 1600 m.The Amazon flows through the Andes, then directs its waters through the wooded plain of South America and after that turns into a full-fledged navigable river, continuing its movement along the lowlands of Peru and Brazil, and only after that it flows into to the Atlantic Ocean.
The river got this name thanks to the legend, which said that along the banks lived a tribe of female warriors "Amassona", destroying boats.

Tributaries

In total, the Amazon has over 200 tributaries. The most important of them are Ucayali and Marañon. Recently, the length of the Amazon has increased due to the fact that it was led away from the source of the Ucayali, which means that the total length of the Amazon River has exceeded 7000 km. About 17 rivers of the first magnitude flow into it, the length of which varies from 1500 km to 3500 km. Several particularly prominent tributaries exceed the Rhine in length and depth, but even the largest of them have no effect on the measured course of the Amazon.
Entering the reservoir is dangerous not only because the length of the Amazon River is incredibly long, but also according to legends. She, like those female warriors living along its banks, is impulsive and unpredictable, unlike the Nile with his calm and balanced character. The thing is that the Amazon flows through different belts in the equatorial direction and overflows to incredible limits due to constant rains. The shores of the Amazon are amazing representatives of tropical flora and fauna.

Shipping capabilities

The length of the Amazon River also forms a continuous route for heavy-duty ships - this is the distance from the mouth to the Andean slopes. The South American river is also favorable to sailing ships, since most of it is dominated by upstream trade winds. The total length of the navigable part of the Amazon is 9,900 km. Many navigators, scientists and travelers strove for this rebellious element, tried to find out all its secrets and mysteries. Some of them discovered the mouth (Vincent Pinzon), others (Francis de Orellana) talked about the beautiful Amazons, and still others (the expedition of Herndon and Gibbon, prince prince Adalbert, etc.) were able to explore this natural landmark, which to this day is distinguished by rebelliousness and obstinacy.

The length of the Nile River is 6670 km.
One of the most majestic rivers on Earth is the Nile. The mere fact that the very first civilization in the history of mankind emerged on its shores thousands of years ago speaks volumes. Even the ancient people recognized the deep-sea Nile as a source of life, they worshiped him, made sacrifices, they asked him for help and advice, and also built the greatest structures along the banks, many of which have survived to this day. But no one knew where the beginning of the longest river in the world, which ends its course in the Mediterranean Sea.

Where is it - the beginning of the Nile?

In fact, the answer to this question is not so simple. In its course across the territory of the African continent, the length of the Nile River has many waterways, so the ancient Egyptians and the very first explorers could not answer exactly where the deep-water body of water originates from.
John Hoenig, who was an officer in the British army, accidentally discovered Lake Victoria. It was at this time that a firm conviction appeared that the White Nile begins its course from here. A little later, Henry, an English journalist, partially confirmed this hypothesis when he went in search of the missing Livingstone. He decided to explore the region at the same time. As a result, it turned out that Lake Tanganyika has nothing to do with the Nile, unlike Lake Victoria, which is the source of the river.

Length

From the beginning to the Mediterranean, the length of the Nile River is 5600 km. But if we consider the length of the river from the beginning of its river system (the source of the Rukarar), then its length in this case will be equal to 6758 km. The mighty river carries its waters to the north and constantly strives downward - for this very reason there are many rapids and waterfalls. The total water drop is about 700 meters.
The stormy stream ends its course at Lake Albert, from which the calmer and more balanced Nile originates. This site belongs to Uganda, whose residents cross the river by ferry. In South Sudan, the length of the Nile River reaches 716 kilometers and is called Bahr el-Jabel. The terrain in this region is flat and swampy - this is what caused the branching of the Nile into many branches. Further movement of water is directed to the capital of Sudan. It is in this place that the White and Blue Nile join forces and merge into one large river, which is called the Nile. Slightly north of Khartoum (the capital of Sudan), they are joined by the last tributary - the Atbara River, which is 800 km long.
After that, the Nile moves through the Sahara and the Arabian Desert, through the territory of Egypt and, leaving Cairo, the Nile begins to branch into many branches, forming a delta, the length of which from north to south is 160 km. Many cities are based on this place, including the well-known Alexandria. Thus, the length of the Nile River is indeed the main factor in the origin of life along its banks.
The shores of the reservoir are fertile lands, many natural, architectural and historical sights, as well as incredible representatives of flora and fauna.

The longest river in Europe As you know, the longest river in Europe flows through the territory of only one country - Russia. It's about the mighty and the majestic Volga, which originates in the Valdai Upland and flows into the Caspian Sea. The total length of the river is 3530 km, and the pool area ( 1361 thousand sq. km) in size exceeds a third of the entire European part of Russia.
The very beginning of the longest river in Europe is a small trickle, which was formed from a small source groundwater near the village of Volgoverkhovye. Gradually, receiving about 150,000 large and small tributaries, the river gains its strength and flows into the Caspian Sea.
The main source of power for the Volga is external melt water. Rainfall and groundwater supplying the river during winter play a minor role. That is why the hydrological regime can be divided into three periods: long spring floods, summer and winter low water periods.
The powerful and longest river in Europe is the most important navigable canal in Russia. Conventionally, the watery creation of nature can be divided into several sections: the Upper, Middle and Lower Volga, respectively. The flora and fauna along the river banks are ambiguous. So, the Lower Volga is distinguished by the greatest diversity - it is for this reason that the Astrakhan reserve was formed in the river delta, the representatives of the flora and fauna of which are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
Natural resources of the river and its unique geographical position attracted people for a long time, they began to build small settlements here, which over time turned into powerful cities such as Kazan, Volgograd, Samara and Nizhny Novgorod.

Ecological situation

Environmentalists are greatly perplexed by the current situation on the river. According to the monitoring data, the load on water resources is 8 times higher than the permissible norms, and 65 out of 100 especially polluted cities are located near the Volga. The most serious environmental problems arise from the construction of a large number of dams, the activities of large industrial enterprises, a large number of polluted drains and a busy navigation.
The main reason for the pollution of the longest river in Europe is the abundance of wastewater from industrial and municipal enterprises, as well as the inefficiency of treatment facilities. As a result, the flora and fauna of the Volga delta is severely affected - data from some studies have revealed mutations and congenital deformities of some representatives.
Development of special government programs aimed at improving the ecological situation in the region is the only right decision that can save the situation.

- takes eleventh place in the world ranking, but is the longest river in Russia. The total length is 4400 km... It originates from the Baikal ridge, from a small lake. It's a shame to admit, but this small reservoir, which gives rise to a great and powerful river, does not even have a name. After Baikal, Lena makes a sharp turn towards Yakutsk and rushes to the north, flowing into the Laptev Sea.
Scientists have not yet come to a consensus about what place along the length to give to the great Russian river. The fact is that the South American Parana River does not have a specific source, which is why its total length fluctuates. That is why some sources indicate that Lena is in 10th place, and some award her 11th position.
All this confusion does not in any way affect the total length of the river from the mouth to the delta itself. Conventionally, the longest river in Russia is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower course. After the confluence of the Vilyui, the river spreads into an incredible expanse, turning into that very powerful Siberian river.
The upper course (up to the Vitim River basin) Lena has a typical mountainous character. It is winding, fast and impetuous, in some places there are rapids. It only calms down slightly near Kirensk, where the Kirenga River flows into it. Here the mountains begin to gradually recede, and they are replaced by majestic coniferous forests. Fir, cedar and spruce, mighty pines and light coniferous larch are the pride of Siberia.
The longest river in Russia becomes even more powerful after the right tributary of the Olekma flows into it. The famous Lena Pillars are one of the most striking sights along the river. It was in this place that national park with the same name. Here it turns into a full-flowing river with a depth of up to 20 meters. The field of Yakutsk flows into the Lena with two more tributaries - the Aldan and Vilyui rivers. Here, the Russian beauty already has wide shores (on average about 10 meters), the width of which in some areas reaches 30 m.
The river is one of the cleanest in the whole world. This is probably due to the fact that coniferous forests grow in a larger area along the coast. The bed of the longest river in Russia has not been touched by "human genius", there are not so many settlements, which means that the nature of the Lena has been preserved almost in its original form. Moreover, in some places not chosen by people, you can drink water directly from the river.

TOP 10 longest rivers in the world

The Amazon River The Amazon River is one of the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world and is one of the most unique on the planet. It originates in the Peruvian Andes, flows through the territory of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and then carries its waters into the Atlantic Ocean. The largest river in the world has a length of about 6,500 km and the world's largest basin, over 7 million km2, which corresponds to the area of ​​the Australian continent. Two large rivers, Ucayali and Marañon, form this grandiose wonder of nature.

History and geography

It is believed that several centuries ago, when the Spanish conquistadors conquered these lands, they were amazed at the courage of the Indian women. Therefore, since then, the Amazon River bears the name of the legendary women warriors. In fact, these were men, traditionally for the Indians, who had long hair and reed skirts.
During a drought, the Amazon River stretches 11 km in breadth, and in the rainy season it increases two to three times and overflows for tens of kilometers. The river is navigable for almost its entire length. It is filled with their waters by numerous tributaries, some of which reach 1500 km.

Animal world

The Amazon stretches along the equator with jungles, swamps and tributaries of rivers. For biologists, these lands are the unexplored treasury of the Earth. On an area of ​​only 10 km2, there are from 1 to 1.5 thousand species of flowers, 700 - 750 different types of trees, more than 100 species of mammals and no less than 400 species of birds.
Only a third of the vegetation has been thoroughly studied, and a fourth of it is used in folk medicine. The largest tropical forest grows along the river. These lands are called the lungs of the planet. There are many unusual plants here: 800 types of palms, hundred-meter-long vines and massive water lilies.
In the waters of the Amazon River, you can find a pink dolphin, a five-meter bull shark, caiman, anaconda and piranhas. The most popular swim there aquarium fish- scalars, guppies and swordtails. The coast is home to many outlandish animals: capybaras, tapirs, jaguars and many others.

Environmental threat

The thoughtless destruction of the Amazonian forests continues today. In large areas, due to the cutting down of trees, soil erosion occurs. In addition, thousands of species of flora and fauna are disappearing. In connection with the construction of many artificial structures, the ecosystem of the river and its course are disrupted.
The Amazon River holds many secrets, capturing the attention of scientists around the world, who expect a lot of sensational discoveries from research. The main thing is to save this recognized wonder of the world from extinction.

Is the second longest river in the world. Its length is about 6700 km. She plays a huge role in the life of a significant part of the African continent. The river originates in the East African Highlands and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Its basin is 350 thousand km2. The Nile River, like several thousand years ago, is the main source of fresh water for millions of people, a means for irrigating land and a major waterway. The silt that remains in the fields after the spill, as before, is an excellent fertilizer.

History and Geography

The Nile is mentioned in ancient sources. Then he was known by the name of Neilos. Even at the dawn of civilization, people understood its value for survival and prosperity, so they idolized it. The ancient Egyptians revered the river as the generous and caring god Hapi.
There is still debate about the source of the Nile River. There are many assumptions about how the largest waterway in Africa replenishes its waters, but they all remained speculations.
The tributaries of the river, Blue Nile and White Nile, are named so in accordance with the shades of the water surface. Many countries are located in these territories: Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Ethiopia and others. A fifth of this land is controlled by the Egyptian authorities. There is a huge tourist center and a paradise for lovers of archeology and connoisseurs of monuments of ancient history and culture. The Egyptian museums, the largest of which is in Cairo, the Pyramids, Temple of Karnak, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings are just a few of the most famous landmarks located along the coast. The unique river does not dry up in hot seasons, but overflows, staining the soil bright red.

Animals and plants

The Nile, as one of the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world, is the only source on a large stretch of dry land. It even revives the sands of the Sahara. There are many types of fish in the waters, of which the Nile perch can be distinguished, weighing up to 140 kg. Snakes, crocodiles, turtles live on the banks of the Nile River. The most famous birds are the ibis, heron, stork, lapwing and kite.
Date palms, mimosas, cypresses, papyrus grow in the Nile Valley; there are banana plantations.

Significance to people

Almost the entire population, more than 95% of Egypt and other states, live exclusively in the coastal strip. The waters of the Nile are of great importance to agriculture. The Nile River is a profitable means of transportation and an interesting tourist route.

Mississippi River Translated from the language of the Indians, the river Mississippi means Great River. Her greatness has been praised by many writers and poets such as Mark Twain, Theodore Dreiser, Mine Reed. It flows through the United States and divides them into two parts. This powerful stream flows through 10 American states and ends in a huge delta in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the natural border of these administrative entities. The largest tributaries of the Mississippi: Missouri, Illinois, Red River. The length of the Mississippi is about 4000 km. It ranks fourth in the list of great rivers.

Geography and history

The Mississippi, which is also one of the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world, can be divided into two large parts, the lower and the upper. The border is the city of Cairo, Illinois. Throughout its rich history, the river changed its course several times, both on a small scale and on a large scale. This little-explained phenomenon also took place with numerous tributaries, some of them appeared, while others disappeared without a trace. The Mississippi River has changed its place of confluence with the Gulf of Mexico more than once. Due to the incomprehensible and frequent changes constantly occurring with the river, Mark Twain called it the world's biggest deceiver.
Indians have settled on the banks of this mighty river since ancient times. The discoverer of the Mississippi River for Europeans is considered Hernando de Soto, who arrived in America in the sixteenth century. In this century, it was marked on several well-known nautical charts. The Spaniards called it the "River of the Holy Spirit". In the seventeenth century, it became part of France, later divided between Great Britain and Spain, and, as a result of the Battle of Orleans in 1812, became wholly owned by the United States.
The turbulent 19th century is considered the golden age for this river. A large number of steamers sailed along it, new cities arose on its banks. The decisive moment in the civil war between the North and the South was the capture of this important trade and transport artery. As industry develops, the river becomes even more navigable. Many bridges, dams, dams and other structures appear on it.

Ecological problems

The thoughtless use of the Mississippi River Basin led to environmental issue... Large-scale water pollution by household and industrial wastewater has created a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. Significant flooding occurs on this river from time to time. The harm of these phenomena is sometimes very enormous. One of them flooded 7,000 km2 and caused damage worth more than $ 400 million.

Yangtze River Translated from Chinese, the river means "long river", because it is not for nothing that it is included in the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world. In ancient times, its name was "blue river", but its muddy waters did not live up to this name. In the rating of the largest rivers in length, it occupies an honorable third place. The Yangtze stretches over the territory of the PRC for 6300 km, its basin is about 2 million km2. It occupies an area where one third of the country's inhabitants live. The gorge through which it flows through the territory national park, in the west of the country, is part of the UNESCO heritage. The river plays an important role in the Chinese economy. The largest hydroelectric power station in the world is located here. The wealthy delta region produces up to 20% of China's total GDP.

History and geography

In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, ancient civilization South China. The finds on the shores near the Three Gorges historical region testify to vigorous activity man 25 thousand years ago. During the Spring and Autumn periods, the kingdom of Shu was in the west of the river. These were the rich lands on which agriculture flourished, thanks to mild climate in coastal areas. The confrontation between North and South China made it a natural border between them. A large number of important battles of antiquity took place here.
Because of large mass impurities, due to its geographical location, the waters of the river are yellow. The water can rise up to 20 meters. In order to avoid large-scale floods, a large number of dams and dams have been erected on the river. The water in the river is successfully used for irrigation of fields over a large area, especially in the lower reaches. Its basin is the most important waterway in the country.
The navigable section has a considerable length. The total length of all river routes is about 20,000 km. This is the busiest river in the world. Freight traffic is approaching one billion tons per year. The Great Canal connects the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The project of transferring water to the north from the south has been implemented. Unlike the “river reversal” in the Soviet Union, this is an elaborate and cost-effective innovative project.

Animal world

The Yangtze River is a unique ecosystem and natural habitat for a large number of endangered species such as the Chinese river dolphin, Chinese alligator, Korean alligator, and Chinese paddlefish. Apart from the United States, alligators live only on the banks of the Yangtze. In China, some territories on the coast of this river are protected by the state as nature reserves.

Yellow he is one of the largest waterways in Asia. Its name, translated from Chinese, means the Yellow River. It is associated with the yellow tint, which gives its waters abundant sediment. For this reason, the sea into which it flows is also called yellow. The river basin is considered the place of origin and formation of the Chinese ethnos.
The Yellow River begins in the east of the Tibetan Plateau and passes through a vast territory to the Bohai Bay, where it flows into the Yellow Sea. The length of this river is about 5000 km, its delta has a total area of ​​over 750 thousand km2. Due to its geographical features, the Yellow River threatens the surrounding areas with frequent and large-scale floods. To protect against this thunderstorm, a large system of dams and dams was built. Their total length is more than 5000 kilometers. But, as a result of dam breaks, even larger floods occur, as well as the channel moves and a large number of people die. Another name for this river is "Mountain of China".

History and geography

The Yellow River was famous for its catastrophes since ancient times. It has always been prone to spills that lead to floods. They have happened about 1,500 times in the last 3,000 years. Its course has changed at least 12 times over the last millennium. In the eleventh century, the transition to a new channel caused a massive humanitarian catastrophe and caused the fall of the Xin dynasty. These tragedies were of natural origin.
In 1938, a dam break was organized, which was supposed to stop the Japanese army. He only stopped its movement, but took away about a million lives of the Chinese themselves and 54 km2 of the inhabited territory were flooded. Floods and dam breaks claim millions of lives in the Chinese Plain. Scientists believe that the cause of these cataclysms is in anthropogenic factors, and that the construction of dams and other protective structures only provokes them.
More than 140 million people are provided with water from the Yellow River Basin and from there, watering a large number of fields located along it. In its lower reaches there is a reserve "Sources of three rivers". There are hydroelectric power plants on it. The Great Canal connects the two Great Rivers Yellow and Yangtze. On some sections the Yellow River is navigable. Many cities have sprung up along it.

Huang He ecology

China released data that, due to unreasonable use, 1/3 of the river is not suitable even for agricultural and industrial purposes. This tragedy happened reset industrial waste into the river. The increase in cities leads to waste water pollution. The activities to restore the Yellow River ecosystem are monitored at the highest level.

Ob River with Irtysh River Ob with Irtysh- one of the greatest rivers in Russia. The Ob belongs to the basin of the Arctic Ocean, flowing through the territory of western Siberia. The Ob is formed at the place where the Katun and Biy merge together in the Altai Territory. Further, it moves in a northwest direction, collecting the waters of numerous tributaries.
The Obi path is notable for its picturesque and natural beauty. It is the tributaries that make it the most full-flowing river in the country. Although even at the beginning of its journey, it carries 1,500 cubic meters per second. And this reaches half of the water content of the Irtysh, which is its main tributary, at its mouth. Further, the Ob follows the picturesque plains, forest-steppe zones, reservoirs, endless forests. There are many really great cities on the Ob River, including Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Nizhnevartovsk, Surgut, Nefteyugansk.
The most significant moment of its course, which is noted in particular by travelers, is its merger with the Irtysh. It is not less interesting river, characterized by impressive dimensions. V total the delta of the Ob river with the Irtysh reaches 4 thousand square kilometers. The length of the Ob River is 3650 km, and from the source of the Irtysh it is more than 5400 km. That is why, looking at the map, it may seem that the Irtysh is the main river, and the Ob is just its tributary.
The Irtysh itself begins on the border of Mongolia and China. The Chinese call him Ertsisikhe. It is in this place that the long and thorny path of the Irtysh begins. Moving towards the confluence with the Ob River, the Irtysh loses a lot of water. It gives a significant part to Lake Ulyungur, as well as to some other canals. The river flows through the territory of China, Kazakhstan and Russia.
The first shipping routes along the Irtysh begin on the border with China. Today, powerful hydroelectric power plants are located on the waters, which are becoming one of the main sources of energy. Along its course, the Irtysh has amazingly picturesque places, burnt-out steppes, forest zones.
It is interesting that the confluence of the Ob river with the Irtysh led to the flooding of the valley. Also in this place there is an amazing chapel - floating. She appeared here just a few years ago, but has already become incredibly popular - one of the main attractions of this place. It is located on the border of two mighty rivers. On both sides of it there are waters that extend to the high banks covered with taiga. There are many legends about the Ob river with the Irtysh. One of them calls them brother and sister.

Yenisei- the river, which is considered one of the largest on the planet. It starts from two sources - Ka-Khem and Biy-Khem. The length of the Yenisei River is usually calculated from the last source. The river itself begins with a narrow stream, flowing near the Topografov Upland and moving along the slope of the Eastern Sayan. In total, the length of the Yenisei is about 5075 kilometers.
The area of ​​the basin, which is 2580 thousand square kilometers, is of particular importance. This makes the Yenisei the second largest in Russia in terms of scale and the seventh in the world. The geographical network of the river is striking in its dimensions. In total, it is represented by 198620 rivers, which stretch for 884754 kilometers.
The Yenisei River moves from south to north, conventionally dividing the country in half. Distinctive feature becomes a variety of the pool, which is represented by three independent parts. The upper reaches of the river are represented by rocky formations. In the middle, as well as in the lower channels, the river separates the Western and Central Siberian plateaus.
The Yenisei is called the most abundant river in the country. Every year, it brings to the Red Sea at least six hundred cubic meters of water, which is much more than all the rivers of the European part of the country together. It is on the Yenisei River that the most powerful hydroelectric power plants in Eurasia are located. These are Krasnoyarsk and Sayano-Shushenskaya HPPs. Also today, the upper stream of the Yenisei River has turned into a reservoir due to the construction of a dam along the river through the Western Sayan.
The feeding of the Yenisei is of a mixed type, however, it is often significant - snow, which is represented by about 50%. Additionally, rain food is allocated in a percentage ratio of 36-38% to the total amount and underground - less than 16%. A significant part of the river is characterized by summer floods, spring floods, and a decrease in runoff in winter.
The amount of runoff is quite voluminous and reaches 624 cubic kilometers, which puts the river in first place in the country for this indicator. The river freezes from October and starts from the lower reaches. The autopsy takes place at the end of April, starting from the upstream.
There are many cities on the Yenisei, including Kyzyl, Divnogorsk, Lesosibirsk, Krasnoyark. In addition, the territory of the river is an important shipping route. Flights regularly move, starting from the Signified, pumping by the mouth. It reaches 3,013 kilometers in length.

Lena River River Lena- a majestic river flowing through the northern part of the country, flowing into the Laptev Sea. Some people call this reservoir a kind of discoverer. He became the first who began to make his way to the sea through the endless Siberia after the melting of glaciers.
Interestingly, many associate the name of the river with female name... However, in fact, there is nothing in common between these concepts. The “name” of the river means the word “Yelyu-Ene”, which refers to the Evenk language of the Tungus-Manchurian group. Translated into Russian, it means "Big River". This is the name of the river by the pathfinder Pyandoy, who was engaged in its research in the period from 1619 to 1623.
The source of the river is a mountain stream, which is located at an altitude of 1650 meters. Following the flow of the river Lena changes its character, just like a person, shows different temperaments. At the beginning of the journey, she copies a stormy choleric person, on average resembles a calm phlegmatic person, in the lower one she represents an extraordinary sanguine person, and in her delta - a melancholic person. The main sections of the river differ in the nature of the flow:

1. Upper - from the source to the village of Kachug.
2. Medium - from the village of Kachug to Zhigansk.
3. Lower - from Zhigansk to the howling mouth.

Lena carries its waters, gradually filling up from the tributaries. Among the most basic are the following - Manzurka, Chai, Vitim, Aldan, Vilyui. The river delta begins at a distance of 150 kilometers from the Laptev Sea. Here the Lena River is divided into many parts. Its delta is considered the largest in the world, as it covers an area of ​​45 thousand square kilometers. The stream divides the islands, forms lakes and channels.
Ecological territories are also located here in the river delta. Among them are the reserves Ust Lenskie - Sokol and Deltovy, it is also worth noting the reserve "Lena-Ustye", which is considered the largest in the country. A total of 32 fish species, 402 plant species, 33 mammal species and 109 bird species can be found here.
The Lena River is in the top ten largest countries the world. It is also considered one of the cleanest in the world due to the absence of hydroelectric power plants and dams. That is why you can drink water from it in many places of the river without boiling it and without any negative consequences for your health. Sludge is often observed on the river. It represents the freezing of the river from the ice and the rise of pieces of ice on the surfaces, which can form blockages due to the filling of the channel.

Amur River Amur flows through the territory of Russia, Mongolia and China, occupying the vastness of the eastern part of Eurasia. Cupid begins at an altitude of 303 meters on the slopes of Western Manchuria. It was formed as a result of the confluence of the Argun and Shilka rivers. It is believed that the river flows into the Tatar Strait of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. However, a number of scientists dispute this opinion, claiming that it flows into the Sea of ​​Japan. In total, the length of the river reaches 2,824 meters, and the basin area exceeds 1,855,000 square kilometers.
It is interesting that during its history the river had many different names. The Chinese called it "Heilong Jiang" or the black dragon, the Mongols called it the black river or "Han Moron", and the Manchus called it "Amar". However, it was the name of the Amur River, which was given by the Russians, that stuck better than others.
Fluctuations in the level of the river can be observed throughout the year. This is explained by monsoon rains. The minimum and maximum of water has a significant difference, reaching 10-15 centimeters. Scientists are now investigating river flooding due to seasonal rains. Spills are often observed during the summer and spring seasons. In the first case, frequent precipitation is the cause, and in the second, the melting of snow and ice. Annual runoff also affects the water regime of the Amur River. He might be:

1. Small.
2. Reduced.
3. Moderate.
4. High.

The river is fed by rains. In case of heavy snowfalls, snow recharge can also be observed. However, this is not the case every year.
A huge number of aquatic inhabitants live in the Amur River. There are 136 species of fish, 40 of which are commercial. The rest are protected by law or are not of interest for the catch. Of particular interest are endemic fish, among which are the Chinese perch, yellow-cheeked whale, squeaky whale, snakehead, kaluga.
The Amur flows through numerous settlements. The largest among them are Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Heihe Amursk. At the same time, the river takes water from all kinds of tributaries. The largest is the Zeya, which acts as a left tributary of the Amur, but at the same time exceeds it in width and depth. The right tributary is the Tempest, which carries its waters through the territory of China. Among the other tributaries, the Sungari, Amgun, and Ussuri are distinguished. The last river is the natural border between China and Russia.

The Congo River, also called Zaire, is located in Central Africa. Its channel is located on the territory of the state of the same name. The Europeans were introduced to this river by the Portuguese Diogo Kan. It happened in 1482 during one of Diogo's voyages.
This body of water is called the deepest and most amazing on the planet. The length on average reaches 4344-4700 kilometers, and the total area of ​​the basin reaches 3,680,000 square kilometers. Congo flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a deep channel. This river is the second longest in Africa and the second in water content, second only to the Amazon.
The deepest depths are in the lower reaches of the reservoir. At this point, the river flows through a hill, overcoming a gorge only 300 meters wide. Here, waterfalls are also formed, which are named after Livingstone. They fall from a height of 270 meters. There are the greatest depths here, exceeding 230 meters.
High water on the Congo rivers is observed twice a year. In December and May, the river reaches its highest level at the mouth. It reaches its minimum in August and March. The waters of the Congo can be seen far out in the Atlantic Ocean during this process.
The reservoir is famous for its huge amount of fish. Here there is an opportunity to catch Nile perch, mormyrops, Congo catfish and other freshwater inhabitants. The most interesting representative of the waters can be safely called the tiger fish. This is a fairly large predator with large teeth, which is placed on a par with the piranha in terms of its danger. Its dimensions can reach up to 70 kg. Local residents are ready to tell many legends associated with tiger fish, including stories about its attacks on people. Although in reality this predator prefers small fish.
Congo is an important navigable river in Africa. It is considered its main waterway. In total, the shipping routes reach 20 thousand km in length. In addition, the river is the main source of hydropower due to the transfer of significant masses of water. Today, there are three large-scale hydroelectric power stations on it.
The Congo River is deservedly called one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the world. Evergreen tropical forests, amazing valleys, majestic mountain ranges meet along its course. The funnel-shaped mouth just before the confluence of the river into the Atlantic Ocean attracts attention. It is believed that the Congo is the richest river in the world for minerals. There are deposits of cobalt, radium, copper ore, uranium, silver, nickel, and some other metals.

What is a river? This is a natural watercourse that flows in a depression it has developed, that is, a channel. The watercourse is fed by underground and surface runoff from its basin. Today we will tell you about the most large rivers ah, which can only be found on our planet.

Amazon... The river, which is located in South America and is considered the largest in terms of basin size, length of the river system and high flow. A few years ago, it was inferior in length to the Nile, but researchers with the help of modern equipment found that the Amazon is still slightly longer. It turned out that its length reaches seven thousand kilometers, although this depends on the size of the sources as well. However, Amazon - great river and, moreover, several years ago it was recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world.

The basin area reaches 7,200 million kilometers, most of which belongs to Brazil, less to Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean, forming the most large delta in the world.

By the way, the Europeans, according to the surviving reports, learned about the river only in the middle of the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadors took part in a campaign across the territory of Colombia.

Nile... It ranks second on our list. A river in Africa that originates in the East African Plateau and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The length of the entire drainage system of the Nile today is about 6,700 km, and the basin area is more than three million square kilometers, which cover countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Neil is the only river v North Africa, which passes through the Sahara, thereby bringing water to the driest and hottest places on Earth. The watercourse is provided not only due to the sources, but also due to precipitation in the southern regions. The water from the river has been used for thousands of years primarily for shipping, irrigation of fields, fishing and water supply. By the way, more than 90 percent of all Egyptians live in the coastal zone.

In the 70s of the last century, the construction of the Aswan hydroelectric complex was completed, which made it possible to get rid of constant floods. However, local residents were still not happy with these events, because with the floods they received an extremely important natural fertilizer for their lands - silt. However, nowadays this is no longer a problem.

Mississippi... A river in the United States that originates in Lake Itasca and flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Its length is about 6300 km. Its largest sources are: Arkansas, Ohio, Missouri, Red River, Des Moines. Illinois. By the way, the Missouri is considered one of the largest tributaries in the world along with the Irtysh.

The Mississippi flows through ten states at once, and it is along it that borders are determined. So, in the middle of the channel, the boundaries of such states as Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin were established. However, over time, the position of the river has changed, but the state boundaries have remained unchanged. As before, no one is going to change them.

The discovery of the river by Europeans took place, presumably, in 1541 - it was discovered by the Spanish navigator Hernando de Soto. And even at the beginning of the 16th century, Spanish expeditions entered the delta. The first Europeans to sail the Mississippi was Robert de la Salle - this happened in 1681.

In 1926, a great flood began, as a result of which the territories of many cities were flooded in literally the words. About 700 thousand people were affected, and the total damage from the disaster amounted to at least $ 400 million.

Yangtze... The river flowing in China is about 6200 km long. The basin area is just under two million square kilometers. The source originates near the Tangla mountain ranges, in the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau. It flows into the East China Sea with two main branches, forming a delta.

In terms of use, the Yangtze is primarily needed by local residents for irrigating fields. In addition, the river is the main shipping lane throughout China. The total length of the waterways is about 17 thousand kilometers, along which a huge number of ships constantly go. By this parameter, by the way, the reservoir is one of the busiest waterways on the planet.

An interesting fact about the Yangtze - the notorious chairman Mao Zedong has repeatedly swam here, and once swam 15 kilometers in just over one hour.

Ob... Completes our list. Together with the Irtysh, this river in Western Siberia is the longest in Russia - its length reaches 5410 km. Formed in Altai by the confluence of two rivers - Katun and Biya, flows into the Kara Sea, forming a bay called the Ob Bay.

Unlike many other large rivers, the Ob feeds mainly on snow. During the spring-summer flood, it brings the bulk of the annual runoff. The Ob is under the ice for 6-8 months. The total area of ​​its basin reaches three million square kilometers, while according to this indicator it ranks first in the territory of the Russian Federation.

For a long time, the Ob was used primarily for fishing. There was a huge amount of all kinds of fish, but over time, some of them simply disappeared. Nevertheless, now there are about 50 species of fish in the river, many of which are of industrial value: muksun, peled, sturgeon, sterlet, pike, pike perch, perch, crucian carp and so on.

Several large cities have been built on the Ob, including Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Surgut, Salekhard.

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the longest river in China. It is also the third longest river in the world.
It begins at the foot of Mount Gelandong, the highest peak of the Danggula Mountains, which are located on the Tibetan plateau. From there, it crosses the country eastward until it enters the East China Sea at its distant coastal estuaries.

Stretching for 6277 km, the Yangtze River flows through 10 provinces in China and four major cities countries including Shanghai. In addition, the Yangtze Trail includes the world famous China's Three Great Gorges, which are said to contain the most beautiful parts of the river.

The Yangtze has a huge range of biodiversity, originating from the various landscapes that it traverses. It moves from extremely high mountains through dense forests to agricultural wetlands. It is home to several species of animals such as giant pandas, Yangtze River dolphins and snow leopards.

2. Yellow River

Incredibly, China also has the second longest Asian river: the Yellow River (Yellow River). With a belt length of almost 5472 km, it is the sixth longest river in the world. It is known as the "mother river" among the citizens of China.
The Yellow River begins in Qinghai Province in western China, where it is fed by runoff from the Bayan Har Mountains. It passes through eight other Chinese provinces and then flows into the Bohai Sea near Dongying City, a city in northeastern Shandong province that is vital to historical development China.

The Yellow River has long been critical to Chinese civilization. She helps irrigate the fields. In addition to supporting ordinary people, she inspires artists and thinkers, and is also the spiritual symbol of the country.

Sites dating back to the Neolithic period (7000 - 3700 BC) have been discovered along its shores. Even today, the Yellow River and its tributaries pass through some of China's largest and oldest cities, including Xi'an, Zhengzhou, and Jinan. In addition, the population of the Yellow River Basin has surpassed only a couple of countries in the world.

The Yellow River carries more rainfall per cubic meter of water than any other river in the world. This is because it passes through large dry areas (such as the Loess Plateau) where the river collects silt. Unfortunately, the high concentration of sediments, as well as the masses of people who live near the river, made it an uninteresting environment for wildlife.

The Mekong River flows through Southeast Asia for about 4,345 km. It is the longest river in this region of Asia and ranks 12th among the longest rivers in the world.

The Mekong, like the Yellow River and Yangtze River, starts in China but then travels south through several other countries. It forms the border between Myanmar and Laos, then between Laos and Thailand. It also travels through Cambodia to Vietnam before entering the South China Sea.

Although the Mekong is not as long as other rivers in Asia, it is the main river and plays an important role as a food source. In addition to irrigating fields and using it to grow rice, the Mekong feeds Cambodia's Tonle Sap, a highly commercial lake that increases in size from about 2,590 sq. km to 10,360 during the flood season in August and September.

Throughout Vietnam, there are several channels through which small ships can travel upstream to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Additionally, ships can continue north during the season. high water until transport is disrupted by the Hon Falls, where the Mekong River flows from Laos to Cambodia.

4. Three great Siberian rivers

There are three very large, very long rivers - the Yenisei, Lena, and Ob - that flow northward into Siberia, eventually emptying into the Arctic Ocean.

The longest of the great Siberian rivers is the Lena River, a little over 4345 km long, stretching from Lake Baikal to the Arctic Laptev Sea. It has a massive drainage basin and the largest river delta that feeds the Arctic. It also has amazing nature reserves, including the Delta Lena nature reserve, Lena Pillars and Ust-Lensky nature reserve.

More than 3621 km long, the Ob River is not the longest separate river in this triumvirate. But from an economic point of view, it may be the most important. Most of Russia's oil reserves and natural gas located along its banks. It is also used for agriculture and fishing.

Currently, the river system, which includes the Ob and Irtysh (more than 4184 km), contains three large hydroelectric power plants, which together make up the second longest river system in the country.

The Yenisei River is the largest (but the shortest) of the three, with a length of more than 3380 km. However, it is part of the Yenisei-Angara-Selenga river system, which is the longest river in Russia. Its source is in the Mongolian highlands. Here is Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake by volume of water. It contains more than 20% of the world's fresh water - more than all five of the United States Great Lakes combined.

Yenisei river

The length of the Euphrates River - more than 2,736 km - is the longest river in the Middle East. It is also of great historical importance, being one of two rivers (along with the Tigris) that created Mesopotamia, "the land between two rivers."

The Euphrates flows into eastern Turkey before it flows to Syria and then to Iraq. Its pool area also includes parts Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran. After the river joins forces with the Tigris to form the Shatt al-Arab, they all flow together into the Persian Gulf.

The Euphrates is mentioned many times in the Judeo-Christian Bible and in the hadiths of Muhammad. It was one of four rivers flowing through the Garden of Eden. Before that, several deities lived here, including Ishtar (goddess of fertility) and Anu (god of the sky). The Mesopotamians worshiped these gods and goddesses in structures called ziggurats.

The Euphrates and Tigris have created especially fertile and productive wetlands. Unfortunately, as prophet Muhammad predicted, conflict and human intervention have caused significant damage to both rivers and they are drying up quickly.

The Ganges, although not the longest river flowing through India, is the longest when you consider the distance it occupies inland. In terms of absolute length, the Indus is the longest, followed by the Brahmaputra and then the Ganges at 2,525 km. The Ganges is actually the third largest river in the world in terms of flow. The Ganges is sacred to the Hindus and is worshiped as the goddess Ganges. No less impressive is the fact that more than a dozen capitals are located on its shores.

Unfortunately, all this respect did not stop the Ganges from becoming indiscriminately polluted and posing a threat to both humans (who bathe in it for the ritual) and animals trying to live in it.

The source of the Ganges is located in the Himalayan mountains, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers converge. From there, it flows east through northern India and into Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

The area around the Ganges has been inhabited for about 4,000 years ago, and currently more than 400 million people live in its basin. They rely on the river as a source drinking water, food, irrigation and manufacturing. It is the most populous river basin in the world.

Although it has much less pressure than the second longest river in the United States, the Missouri River is over 3,782 km long and is the longest river in the United States and the longest river in North America. More than a million square kilometers flows into it. However, it is considered only a tributary of the Mississippi River.

The Missouri, or Mighty Moe, begins in the Montana Rockies and flows eastward until it enters the Mississippi north of St. Louis. Consequently, it plays a vital role in the expansion of the American West.

Currently, 160,934 km of national park is located along the border between Nebraska and South Dakota, which remains one of the few untouched sections of the river. The Missouri and Mississippi rivers combine to make the fourth longest river system on earth.

Only about 80 km shorter than the Missouri River, the Mississippi River is over 3702 km long.

Although it may only be the second longest river in North America, the discharge rate of the mighty Mississippi is the largest on the continent. Plus, it has been the central navigable river in the United States for centuries. In fact, it is one of the most active commercial river crossings in the world, including a large export of agricultural products and petroleum products.

The Mississippi is usually divided into four sections. The headwaters of the Mississippi are a humble stream descending towards St. Paul, Minnesota. From there upper river extends to St. Louis, where the Missouri River flows.

The Middle Mississippi travels south for 322 km until the Ohio River flows into it in Cairo, Illinois. There the river doubles. Finally, the wider and slower moving lower Mississippi becomes muddy from all the turbulence of the converging tributaries and makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico easier.

Famed humorist Mark Twain transformed the lower Mississippi into one of the most famous rivers in literature. The river was home to fur traders, kayaks and warships. If there ever was a place for adventure, this is it!

The Yukon River, which is the third longest in North America, flows westward from British Columbia through Alaska and into the Bering Sea. It stretches for almost 3,219 km in length, and its watershed covers almost 776,997 sq. km.

The Yukon River is steeped in history. It is believed to be the main route for the first inhabitants of North America from Siberia.

It was also the main route used by those involved in the Klondike Gold Rush. In fact, the river was full of boats until the Klondike Highway was built in the 1950s.

Besides being important to humans, the Yukon River is a key spawning site for Chinook salmon. The river has the longest wooden staircase in the world, about 366 m.

10. The longest river in Mexico - Rio Grande

Although the Rio Grande has its origins in the United States, all the way to the Colorado Rockies, it is the longest river in Mexico. South of the border, it is known as El Rio Bravo del Norte.

In total, the river stretches for almost 3058 km. Within this gap, it creates the border between Mexico and Texas.

What is surprising in the Rio Grande today is that only about one-fifth of the flow of water actually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. The rest of the water is collected for municipal and irrigation use.

Despite its two grandiose nicknames, the river is only 18.28 m deep, and even small boats are barely navigable on it.

Although the water flow and watershed have been greatly reduced, the river itself is still absolutely beautiful. In the United States, it is protected as a wild and scenic river and includes the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument near Taos, New Mexico.

11. River Nile

Until recently, the Nile River was unanimously recognized as the longest river in the world. And with the length of the Nile River at 6,650 km, this is not surprising. The Nile (which is sourced from Lake Victoria, the largest lake on the continent) crosses ten different African countries on its way north of the Mediterranean.


The Nile actually consists of the White Nile and Blue Nile, which begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and joins the White Nile in Sudan. This is their common territory, which is often referred to as the longest river in the world.

In addition to being the longest river on earth, the Nile was an integral part of ancient Egyptian life and remains just as important today. The Nile flooded the lands of Egypt and left behind fertile black soil.

Natural water streams, flowing in their natural bed and replenished by surface and underground waters, slow or bubbling - these are all rivers. They are a source of fresh water, and without them it is impossible to imagine life on the whole Earth. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, large rivers became the cradles of ancient civilizations, and now there are cities along their coast. We present to you the top 15 largest rivers in the world, which vary in length and basin area.

15. Volga. Length: 3530 km. Basin area: 1360 thousand km²

The first mention of the Volga is found in the writings of Herodotus. She was also familiar to the Arabs, who called her Itil, which can be translated as "river of rivers". This river is considered the "homeland" of barge haulers: up to 600,000 people could work on it per season.

14. Yenisei. Length: 4102 km. Basin area: 2850 thousand km²

The Yenisei basin has more than 100,000 lakes, the largest and most famous of which is Baikal. The river allows two hydroelectric power plants to function smoothly - Sayan and Krasnoyarsk, thanks to which Siberia is supplied with energy.

13. Niger. Lenght: 4160 km. Basin area: 2092 thousand km²

Nigga flows in West Africa... The river bed has an interesting shape: from a bird's eye view it resembles a boomerang. Another feature of the waterway is the presence of so-called "internal deltas": in some of its places, many branches and lakes have formed.

12. Mackenzie. Length 4240 km. Basin area: 1760 thousand km²

Mackenzie is located in the North of America and has a rather unusual economic use: in the summer it serves as a navigable canal, and in the winter its bed turns into an ice road. The river was discovered by the Scottish naturalist traveler A. Mackenzie and later named after him. Before that, she bore the name "Disappointment" - "disappointment." Apparently, she did not make the proper impression on the researcher.

11. Congo. Length: 4320 km. Basin area: 3691 thousand km²

Congo is the deepest river in the world. Its depth reaches about 230 m. The uniqueness of the Congo lies in the fact that it crosses the equator twice. It is in its waters that the most vicious and dangerous fish- Goliath (or tiger fish), therefore, going on a "hunt", you need to be very careful and careful.

10. Lena. Length: 4400 km. Basin area: 2490 thousand km²

It is interesting that the source of the Lena is a small swamp, which is located about 12 km from Lake Baikal. Only after other tributaries flow into the river does it become full-flowing. The banks of this waterway are practically unpopulated and are covered with dense coniferous forests, although sometimes you can find small, but almost abandoned villages.

9. Cupid. Length: 4440 km. Basin area: 1855 2490 thousand km²

The Amur flows through the territory of Russia and China, and its inhabitants call the river "Heihe", which means "River of the Black Dragon". This name has absolutely nothing to do with the color of water: in China, black symbolizes something big, with great power. According to an ancient legend, in ancient times, two dragons lived in the river. Some were black and kind, and the other was evil and white. Once they met in battle, and, naturally, good won out over evil.

8. Mekong. Length: 4500 km. Basin area: 810 thousand km²

The Mekong, which flows through Vietnam, China, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, is the center of agriculture and trade for these countries. On its shores there are numerous rice fields and fruit plantations, and the entire crop is brought to floating markets.

7. Parana. Length: 4380 km. Basin area: 2970 thousand km²

The Parana River is located in South America and is the border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The river got its name from the local Indians, who addressed it by the name "tupi". Literally translated, it means "big as the sea." Some tribes considered it a river of misfortune. Perhaps this is due to the large number of turbulent waterfalls.

6. Ob. Length: 5410 km. Basin area: 2990 thousand km²

Ob is the most big river in Russia and originates in Altai, flowing into the Kara Sea. V summer period the water in the river can warm up to + 23 ° C, and in the lower reaches - up to 28 ° C. More than 50 different fish species are found in it, half of which are mined on an industrial scale.

5. Yellow River. Length: 5464 km. Basin area: 752 thousand km²

The Yellow River Basin provides drinking water to over 140 million Asians. Its waters are also used for land irrigation. The Yellow River owes its name to limestone rocks, which have a yellowish tint and lie in the riverbed.

4. Mississippi. Length: 5969 km. Basin area: 3229 thousand km²

The river flows through 10 states of America and is their kind of border. Her name is immortalized in the writings of Mark Twain, who called the river "the world's first deceiver" because of its very winding and unpredictable flow route.

3. Yangtze. Length: 5800 km. Basin area: 1818 thousand km²

The Chinese call the Yangtze "the blue river", but its waters, which do not freeze all year round, rather muddy and, most likely, the river received its name in contrast to the Yellow. More than 300 species of fish live here, and birds fly here for the winter. Endangered animals, including Chinese alligators, can also be found in the waters of the Yangtze.

2. Neil. River length: 6852 km. Basin area: 2870 thousand km²

The amazing Nile does not flow from north to south, but in the opposite direction and into literally pierces the Sahara, bringing life to its shores. It is better to forget about swimming in the Nile. And it's not about the scary alligators. Like many centuries ago, the Nile is used for various economic needs, and sanitary standards are not observed.

1. Amazon. Length: 6992 km. Basin area: 7180 thousand km²

When the river overflows, it floods an area that can accommodate the entire UK. Rainforests that grow on its shores are the "lungs" of our planet, and the jungle plants are so closely spaced that only 1% of the sunlight reaches the earth's surface.