There are a huge number of rivers and streams on the planet. They usually form a river system, which includes the main river and all its tributaries. The main ones are those rivers that flow into either the seas or lakes, lost in the sands and swamps. Those whose mouth is another river are commonly called tributaries.
The most dense river network is in the equatorial zone, but there are many rivers in the tropical, temperate zones. The longest rivers in the world are scattered across different continents, but their names are familiar even to students from the tables, because they are impressive in their size and have contributed to the history of the peoples of the globe.
List
- 10. Congo - Lualaba - Luvois - Luapula - Chambeshi, 4700 km
- 9. Amur - Argun - Muddy duct - Kerulen, 5052 km
- 8. Lena - Vitim, 5100 km
- 7. Yenisei - Angara - Selenga - Ider, 5238 km
- 6. Ob - Irtysh, 5410 km
- 5. Yellow River, 5464 km
- 4. Yangtze, 5800 km
- 3. Mississippi - Missouri - Jefferson, 6275 km
- 2. Nile, 6852 km
- 1. Amazon, 6992 km
10. Congo - Lualaba - Luvois - Luapula - Chambeshi, 4700 km
A famous river flows in Central Africa Congo, one of the longest on this continent. Her pool is the Atlantic Ocean. In the upper reaches it is called Lualaba .. About 700 species of fish live in it.
The river basin forms a zone of tropical rainforest. In the jungle near its shores you can meet unique trees: eucalyptus, ebony, mahogany. Zebras, giraffes, gazelles live there, elephants come to the watering hole.
It is still unknown where the beginning of the Congo is located. According to one version, the source is the Lualaba River, according to another version it is the Chambesi. In the upper part it has many rapids and waterfalls, rough sections alternate with places where the river flows smoothly and evenly.
9. Amur - Argun - Muddy duct - Kerulen, 5052 km
On the mainland of Eurasia, and more precisely in the Far East, as well as in East Asia, there is a great river Amur. Its pool is the Sea of Okhotsk or the Sea of Japan. The name most likely came from the word "amar"Which meant"big river". The Chinese are used to calling her "Heihe", It translates as"black river».
The source of the river is located in the mountains of Western Manchuria. Allocate 3 sections of the river. Upper Cupid is characterized by a strong current. Middle Amur is very wide with marshy banks, the channel is divided into branches. Lower Amur - on the Lower Amur Lowland.
8. Lena - Vitim, 5100 km
Also on the mainland Eurasia, in Siberia, a river flows Lena. Its basin is the Laptev Sea, its length is 4294 km, and together with one of the largest tributaries Vitim is 5100 km.
The source is located near Lake Baikal. The river is located in the permafrost zone. Its name comes from the Even word Elyu-Ene. It can be translated as "Big river».
Lena is divided into 3 sections. Upper - this is the part to the place where Vitim flows into it. After that, the middle part begins, where the river becomes huge, with a depth of up to 12 m, with a wide channel, there are many coniferous forests on its slopes, and meadows also come across. At the end, two more water tributaries, Vilyui and Aldan, flow into it. There is formed a huge floodplain with many swamps and lakes.
7. Yenisei - Angara - Selenga - Ider, 5238 km
Yenisei, located in Siberia, in Eurasia. Its pool is the Kara Sea. The length of this famous river is 3487 km, but with tributaries it seems longer.
The name comes from the word "Yenesiy", Which translates as"big water". It arose from the confluence of 2 rivers, the Big and Small Yenisei. The river flows along the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The most powerful hydroelectric power plants are built on it.
The river is fast flowing. On its banks spread the Siberian taiga. Yenisei attracts tourists with healing air and fabulously mesmerizing views.
6. Ob - Irtysh, 5410 km
The largest river in Eurasia, or rather Western Siberia, has always been Ob. Her pool is the Gulf of Ob. Its length is 3650 km, and together with its main tributary Irtysh – 5410.
The source of the Ob is the confluence of the Katun and Biya rivers. In the upper reaches it has a rather rapid course, but gradually it turns into a calm flat river. In summer, fishing enthusiasts gather here. There are over 50 species of fish in the Ob.
5. Yellow River, 5464 km
On the continent of Eurasia, in China, is one of the largest rivers in Asia - The yellow river. Its name can be translated from Chinese as "yellow River". It appeared not by chance. The water in the river is of unusual yellow color, turbid, and numerous sediments make it so.
The river basin is the Gulf of Bohai. The source of the river is located on the Tibetan plateau. There were many floods on the river. And all because the river passes through the Forest plateau, where it washes away a huge amount of sedimentary rocks, similar to clay. All this clogs the riverbed, water flows from the banks. The river bed changed 26 times, more than 1,500 floods occurred here.
4. Yangtze, 5800 km
Another great Chinese river can be called Yangtze. Pool - East China Sea. It begins on the Tibetan plateau. The river is one of the most important in the history, culture and economy of the country. It divides the north and south of China.
Europeans call it Yangtze, but the Chinese themselves gave it another name - Changjiang. It can be translated as "long river". Its basin occupies almost a fifth of the entire territory of China. About a third of the country's inhabitants live there. The river has about 700 tributaries. Large cities are located on the banks of the Yangtze.
3. Mississippi - Missouri - Jefferson, 6275 km
River Mississippi crosses North America. It is the most powerful river in the United States, which is the country's national pride. Her pool is the Gulf of Mexico. The river crosses 10 states. It flows through the United States, although its pool belongs to Canada. It is believed that its source is either the Nicolette Creek brook or Lake Itasca.
The flora and fauna of the river is unique. Here you can find alligators and turtles, huge flocks of flamingos, ibises and pelicans. The decoration of its shores became small miniature hummingbirds.
2. Nile, 6852 km
Famous river Nile flows through the expanses of Africa. This is one of the record holders in terms of length. It originates on the East African plateau, its basin - in the Mediterranean Sea. “Nile” comes from the Greek name for this river, which used to sound like “Nilos". The Greeks called her and "Egiptos", Thus formed the familiar name of the country Egypt.
In the upper reaches of the river there are many tributaries, but then it flows along the semi-desert, because of which they disappear for three thousand kilometers. The Nile was once the longest river, until scientists found that the size of the Amazon is more impressive, although the difference in length is small.
The source of the Nile is the Rukarara River. The entire economy of Egypt is connected with this river. Its water is used for irrigation and energy production. This is the only river passing through the Sahara. Only thanks to her can there be life in a waterless desert.
About 97% of the Egyptian population lives in the coastal strip of the Nile. The largest cities have been built here, in which millions of tourists flock.
1. Amazon, 6992 km
The longest river on Earth was recognized Amazon. She crosses South America. It is called the deepest and longest river, since the Amazon alone contains 20% of all the fresh water of the Earth.
Its source is in the Andes, and the pool is in the Atlantic Ocean. Two rivers, Maranion and Ucayali, merging form the Amazon. This name was given to her by the Spanish conquistadors, who once fought on its shores with the Indians, including women, they took them for the Amazons.
The incredible flora and fauna of Amazonia still amazes scientists. It is called the World Genetic Fund. More than 750 different species of trees grow here, more than 400 species of birds live.