Which Is The Largest River Of World – It may sound strange to anyone who has ever used a ruler, but measuring the length of a river is a complex process. Not only can it be difficult to know where a river actually begins and ends because rivers break up the landscape, but they also constantly change their length. As the land around rivers sinks and silts below, rainfall causes water to swell, and drought dries up channels and tributaries, rivers fluctuate in size. Add that to their already complex nature, and scientists will be debating how long it will take cows to come home, drink a few beers, turn on a game, put their feet up, maybe chew some gum and die of old age.
While the battle over the exact length continues, little has changed in the main list of the world’s 24 longest rivers; than their beauty and grandeur.
Which Is The Largest River Of World
Crossing several vast Canadian provinces, the Mackenzie is the largest river system in the Great White North and is notable for flowing from south to north and supplying fresh water to the Arctic Ocean.
Rivers: The Source Of Life
The Syrdarya is one of the least meandering waters, as well as one of the calmest. It begins in the Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan and extends about 1,400 miles to the remains of the Aral Sea. It just begs for a leisurely boat ride.
Maybe not for long, Salween compensates with violence. The name itself, perhaps suffering from a Napoleonic complex, means “river of anger”. After looking at some of the rapids and streams in this Asian widow, it’s easy to see why.
Although the Murray is not as impressive as many on this list, at only 1,400 miles, it is still the longest river in Australia, which consists mostly of arid regions surrounded by sea. The Murray originates in the Australian Alps and flows into the sea at Lake Alexandrina.
“Toucan’s beak” is what the Tocantins translate from the Tupi language into English. It is one of the many mighty rivers in Brazil and one of the few rivers in the world that flows from south to north for a short time.
Discover The 10 Largest Rivers In The World By Volume
Even more than Lena, Amur tends to incite arguments about length. Many say it’s only 1,700 miles long, others say it’s the 10th longest in the world, a disputed fact. It is actually called Heilongjiang, which means “Black Dragon River”, and is known as the Sino-Russian border in northern China.
The San Francisco is the fourth longest river in South America and flows exclusively in Brazil. However, unlike most of the difficult and dangerous areas of the region, it is mostly fun and friendly, with few destructive or dangerous places.
The Yukon’s journey begins in Canada, then travels nearly 2,000 miles and ends in Alaska. Favored by hunters and considered an important factor in North American civilization, it was a source of water for the natives. This is a river for serious adventurers.
India was probably a greater power in the past than it is today. Many shores today show that they are completely engulfed by the powerful eddies of this rock-encrusted giant. The tributaries of the Indus stretch far and wide to include parts of Pakistan, India, China and Tibet.
Amazon River In South America Largest River Stock Photo
Actually a branch of the Amazon, the Purus rises in the Peruvian Andes, then spills over the slopes and serves as a means of transportation through the dense jungle, as well as providing food and supplies to people far away.
Covering more than a quarter of the Brazilian Amazon, Madeira is formed by two smaller rivers, the Mamore and the Benis. It is the largest tributary of the Amazon and provides not only a passage but also many animals including the spotted jaguar; and hydropower for humanity.
The Yenisei originates in Mongolia and then moves north through Siberia, where it delivers its massive payload into the Arctic Ocean’s Kara Sea. Completes the trinity of beautiful Siberian rivers.
The Obi, another river with several names, is also called the Obi and is part of the Obi-Irtysh. It is the second largest and westernmost of the Siberian rivers, flowing north into the Arctic Ocean.
Few Of The World’s Longest Rivers Still Flow Uninterrupted Into The Ocean
The longest river is Europe. The Volga is also considered the national river of Russia, a point of contention between East and West. Known to the Russians as “Mother Volga,” its existence helped settlers (somewhat) tame the icy desert, and much of the country’s population and industry still depend on it.
The Mississippi is the only continental US river on this list. It divides the country, flows out of Minnesota and flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It covers a total of 31 states and has small parts in two Canadian provinces.
At nearly 2,600 miles long, the Niger is still the bronze medalist for Africa’s longest river. It supplies water to the western part of the continent and occupies an impressive 7.5% of the total land area.
The Mekong forms several borders of Laos, starting from the Tibetan Plateau and touching Myanmar (also known as Burma) and Cambodia. Most famously, it was a highly contested region during the Vietnam War, providing both friends and foes with supplies and water.
Amazon: Earth’s Mightiest River
Three major rivers flow into the Arctic Ocean in Siberia, the Lena being the easternmost of the three. At more than 2,700 miles long, the river is the 11th or 10th longest river in the world, depending on who is keeping the meter.
Although it is only the second longest river in Africa, the Congo is considered the longest river in the world. There are areas over 700 feet deep that are still being mined. Although not as long-lived as others, its central location makes it the heartbeat of Africa, allowing cities and populations to flourish in what would otherwise be a deadly desert.
The Parana just passed the 3,000 mile mark and is still the second longest river in South America. Americans can actually travel to one of the headwaters of the Parana, as it is partially fed by the Rio Grande.
It holds the (potential) title of the sixth longest river in the world and is the second longest among rivers in China. It is called Huang He (formerly Huang Ho) and is only 3,400 miles away.
Less Known Facts About Majuli, The Largest River Island In The World Which Is Slowly Disappearing
The Yangtze River, or Chang Jiang as it is known locally, is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world. Almost 4,000 miles long, it is the lifeblood of many Chinese cities, including Shanghai.
Some argue that the Amazon is actually shorter than the Yangtze River, and the difference is large enough to make a valid argument. The Amazon ranks somewhere between third and first and is easily the largest in runoff volume, releasing 7 million cubic feet of water every second.
At more than 200 miles over 4,000 miles, the Nile is not only the longest river in the world, but also the longest north-flowing river by far. It also crosses the equator and meets ten countries on its route, but most know it only for its contribution to the rise of Egypt in ancient times.
Supported by our readers. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may receive a commission. Check our privacy policy. There are many rivers in the world, each of them is unique, but at our peak we pay special attention to the width. If you are lucky enough to see these rivers, you will be surprised: they provide quality drinking water to many communities and are a source of food, often used to generate electricity.
Did You Know The Largest River In The World, Amazon, Has No Bridges Built Over It? Read Why
The longest river in Russia and the tenth river in the world. Its width varies from 2 to 10 kilometers.
The famous river of Asia originates from the Tibetan Plateau. The width can reach 26 kilometers in places.
The longest river in Asia flows mainly through Pakistan and part of India. The width of the river reaches more than 30 kilometers in some sections.
One of the largest rivers in Asia flows through India and allows people to cultivate thousands of hectares of land in the Assam region. The width of this river can reach 36-37 kilometers in places.
The Amazon River Of South America Is The World’s Largest River And The Lifeblood Of The World’s Largest Ecosystem, Spanning Two Fifths Of An Entire Continent. It Is Home To A Huge Variety
Flows through India and Bangladesh. And it is known as a holy river for Indian people. The width varies from 10 to 38 kilometers.
The largest and most famous in North America. For centuries, people have enjoyed the abundance of this magnificent river. It is 39 kilometers wide.
Natural border between Zaire and Congo. Its width is from 10 to 40 kilometers. After the Amazon, the Congo is the largest river in terms of speed and depth.
Number one on our list
Over Half Of All The Rivers In The World Have Been Heavily Impacted By Humans
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