And the longest river. Great rivers of the world

The longest river in the world When asked what is the longest river, not everyone can answer correctly. Moreover, the length of reservoirs is constantly changing due to the human factor. In this regard, it is recommended to read the text below in order not to ask such questions again.

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

Official data indicate that the length of the Nile is 6695 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 life and the 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 unbelievable yesterday is a harsh reality today. 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 has become 57 km shorter. Now the length is 6852 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 high school graduates learned in 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 owns the palm. This river has several tributaries - Ucayali and Marañon - and more recently, scientists discovered that the length of the South American river crossed the line of 7 thousand km due to the fact that it was led from the source of Ucayali.

More Amazon Records

Today, the longest river in the world is not the only record held by a South African river. The Amazon is the largest basin in size and the most full-flowing river, for which a special “thank you” to heavy rainfall. The river throws about 200 cubic meters of water into the Atlantic Ocean, which means that the Amazon is able to provide each 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 oceans 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 - along the banks of the Amazon there are rare representatives of flora and fauna.

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 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 beginning it becomes a wide navigable river. By the way, in some places the distance between the banks is 1600 m. The Amazon flows through the Andes, then directs its waters through the wooded plain of South America and after that it turns into a full-fledged navigable river, continuing its movement through the lowlands of Peru and Brazil, and only after that it flows into into the Atlantic Ocean.
The name of the river was due to the legend, which said that along the banks lived a tribe of female warriors "Amassona" who destroyed boats.

tributaries

In total, the Amazon has more than 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 surpass the Rhine in their length and full flow, but even the largest of them do not have any effect on the measured course of the Amazon.
The entrance to 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 who lived along its banks, is impulsive and unpredictable, unlike the Nile with its 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 Opportunities

The length of the Amazon River also forms a continuous route for heavy ships - this is the distance from the mouth to the Andean slopes. The South American river is also favorable to sailing ships, since the upper trade winds dominate in most of its part. The total length of the navigable part of the Amazon is 9,900 km. Many navigators, scientists and travelers aspired to this rebellious element, tried to find out all its secrets and mysteries. Some of them discovered the estuary (Vikenty Pinzon), others (Francis de Orellana) told about the beautiful Amazons, and still others (the expedition of Gerndon and Gibbon, the Prussian prince Adalbert, etc.) were able to explore this natural landmark, which is still different to this day 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 arose on its shores thousands of years ago speaks volumes. Even ancient people recognized the deep-sea Nile as a life source, they worshiped him, made sacrifices, 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?

Actually, this question is not so easy to answer. In its course through the territory of the African continent, the length of the Nile River has many water arteries, so the ancient Egyptians and the very first researchers could not answer exactly where the deep-sea reservoir 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 Livingston. 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 (source Rukarar), then its length in this case will be equal to 6758 km. The mighty river carries its waters to the north and constantly rushes down - it is for this reason that there are many rapids and waterfalls. The total water drop is about 700 meters.
The turbulent stream ends its course at Lake Albert, from which the more calm and balanced Nile originates. This section belongs to Uganda, whose inhabitants cross the river by means of ferries. In South Sudan, the Nile River is 716 kilometers long and is called the Bahr el Jabel. The terrain in this region is flat and swampy - this led to 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. A little north of Khartoum (the capital of Sudan), they are joined by the last tributary - the Atbara River, whose length is 800 km.
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 were founded on this place, among which the well-known Alexandria. Thus, the length of the Nile River is indeed a major 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 majestic Volga, which originates on the Valdai Upland and flows into the Caspian Sea. The total length of the river is 3530 km, and the basin 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 stream, which was formed from a small source of groundwater near the village of Volgoverkhovye. Gradually, taking about 150,000 large and small tributaries, the river gains its strength and flows into the Caspian Sea.
The main source of nutrition for the Volga is external melt water. Rain and groundwater, which feeds the river in winter, play a minor role. That is why the hydrological regime can be divided into three periods: a long spring flood, summer and winter low water.
The mighty and longest river in Europe is the most important shipping channel in Russia. Conventionally, the water creation of nature can be divided into several sections: the Upper, Middle and Lower Volga, respectively. vegetable and animal world along the river banks is ambiguous. So, the Lower Volga is the most diverse - 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 listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
The natural wealth of the river and its unique geographical position attracted people for a long time, they began to build small settlements here, which eventually turned into powerful cities, such as Kazan, Volgograd, Samara and Nizhny Novgorod.

Ecological situation

Environmentalists are very puzzled by the current situation that has developed on the river. According to monitoring data, the load on water resources 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 as a result of the construction of a large number of dams, the activity of large industrial enterprises, a large amount of polluted sewage and heavy navigation.
The main reason for the pollution of the longest river in Europe is the abundance Wastewater, which appear as a result of the work of industrial and municipal enterprises, as well as the inefficiency of treatment facilities. As a result, the flora and fauna of the Volga delta suffer greatly - the data of some studies made it possible to identify mutations and congenital deformities of some representatives.
Development of special state programs aimed at improving environmental situation in the region is the only right decision that can save the situation.

- ranks eleventh in the world ranking, but is the longest river in Russia. The total length is 4400 km. It originates on the Baikal Ridge, from a small lake. It is 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 on 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 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: the upper, middle and lower reaches. After the confluence of the Vilyui, the river spills into an incredible expanse, turning into that very powerful Siberian river.
The upper course (up to the depression of the Vitim River) Lena has a typically mountainous character. It is winding, fast and impetuous, in some of its places there are rapids. It calms down a little only near Kirensk, where the Kirenga River flows into it. Here, the mountains begin to recede a little, and they are replaced by majestic coniferous forests. Fir, cedar and spruce, mighty pine 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 located along the river. It is in this place that it was formed national park with the same name. Here it turns into a full-flowing river with a depth of up to 20 meters. Field of Yakutsk, two more tributaries flow into the Lena - the Aldan and Vilyui rivers. Here, the Russian beauty already has wide banks (about 10 meters on average), the width of which in some areas reaches 30 m.
The river is one of the cleanest in the world. This is probably due to the fact that coniferous forests grow on 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 man, you can drink water directly from the river.

TOP 10 longest rivers in the world

The Amazon River The Amazon 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 6500 km and the largest basin in the world, over 7 million km2, which corresponds to the area of ​​the Australian continent. Two large rivers, Ucayali and Marañon, form this grand natural wonder.

History and geography

It is believed that several centuries ago, when the Spanish conquistadors conquered these lands, they were struck by the courage of Indian women. Therefore, since then, the Amazon River has been called the legendary female warriors. In fact, these were men, traditionally for the Indians, who had long hair and cane skirts.
During a drought, the Amazon River extends 11 km in breadth, and during the rainy season it doubles or triples and overflows for tens of kilometers. The river is navigable for almost its entire length. It is filled with its waters by numerous tributaries, some of which reach 1500 km.

Animal world

Amazonia stretches along the equator with jungles, swamps and tributaries of rivers. For biologists, these regions are the unexplored pantry of the Earth. On an area of ​​just 10 km2 there are from 1 to 1.5 thousand species of flowers, 700 to 750 different species of trees, more than 100 species of mammals and at least 400 species of birds.
Only a third of the vegetation has been thoroughly studied, its fourth part is used in traditional medicine. The largest tropical forest grows along the river. These lands are called lungs of the planet. There are many unusual plants: 800 species of palm trees, 100-meter creepers and massive water lilies.
In the waters of the Amazon River, you can meet a pink dolphin, a five-meter bull shark, caiman, anaconda and piranhas. The most popular aquarium fish swim there - angelfish, guppies and swordtails. Many strange animals live on the coast: capybaras, tapirs, jaguars and many others.

environmental threat

Today, the mindless destruction of the Amazonian forests continues. In large areas, due to cutting down trees, soil erosion appears. 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 being disturbed.
The Amazon River holds many secrets, attracting the attention of scientists around the world who expect many 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. It plays a huge role in the life of a significant part of the African continent. The river originates in the East African Plateau 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 on the fields after the spill, as before, is an excellent fertilizer.

History and Geography

The Nile is mentioned in ancient sources. He was then known as Neylos. 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.
Until now, there are disputes about the source of the Nile River. There are many assumptions about how Africa's largest waterway replenishes its waters, but all of them have remained speculation.
The tributaries of the river, the Blue Nile and the 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. One fifth of these lands are controlled by the Egyptian authorities. They are a huge tourist center and just a paradise for lovers of archeology and connoisseurs of monuments. ancient history and culture. Egyptian museums, the largest of which is located in Cairo, the pyramids, the Temple of Karnak, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings are just a few of the most famous sights located on the coast. The unique river does not dry up during the hot seasons, but overflows, turning the soil bright red.

Animals and plants

The Nile, as one of the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world, is the only source in a large area of ​​dry land. It revives even 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. Of the birds, the most famous are the ibis, heron, stork, lapwing and kite.
Date palms, mimosas, cypresses, papyrus grow in the Nile valley; there are banana plantations.

Significance for 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 for Agriculture. The Nile River is an advantageous 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 is sung 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 US states and ends with a huge delta in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the natural boundary of these administrative entities. The largest tributaries of the Mississippi: Missouri, Illinois, Red River. The Mississippi is about 4000 km long. In the list of great rivers, it is in fourth place.

Geography and history

The Mississippi, which is also included in the TOP 10 longest rivers in the world, can be divided into two large parts, lower and 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 inexplicable phenomenon also happened with numerous tributaries, some of them appeared, while others disappeared without a trace. The Mississippi River has even changed its place of confluence with the Gulf of Mexico more than once. Because of the incomprehensible and frequent changes that constantly occur with the river, Mark Twain called it the world's biggest liar.
Indians have settled on the banks of this mighty river since ancient times. The discoverer of the Mississippi River for Europeans is Hernando de Soto, who arrived in America in the sixteenth century. In this century, it was marked on several famous 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, it became wholly owned by the United States.
The turbulent 19th century is considered the golden age for this river. Steamships sailed along it in large numbers, and new cities sprang up on its shores. The decisive moment in civil war North and 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 problem. Large-scale water pollution by household and industrial waste caused the emergence of a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. Significant floods occur on this river from time to time. The harm of these phenomena is sometimes very great. One of them flooded 7,000 km2 and caused more than $400 million in damage.

Yangtze River Translated from Chinese, the river means "long river", because it is not in vain 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 justify this name. In the ranking of the longest rivers, it takes an honorable third place. The Yangtze stretches across the territory of China for 6300 km, its basin is about 2 million km2. It occupies an area where a 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 included in the UNESCO heritage. The river plays an important role in China's economy. Here is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. The rich delta region produces up to 20% of China's total GDP.

History and geography

In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the ancient civilization of South China was born. Finds on the shores near the historical area of ​​the "Three Gorges" testify to the active human activity 25 thousand years ago. During the periods of Spring and Autumn, in the west of the river was the kingdom of Shu. These were rich lands where agriculture flourished due to the mild climate in the 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.
Due to the large mass of impurities, due to its geographical location, the waters of the river are yellow. The water can rise up to 20 meters. On the river, in order to avoid large-scale floods, a large number of dams and dams have been erected. The water in the river is successfully used to irrigate fields over a large area, especially in the lower reaches. Its basin is the most significant waterway of the country.
The navigable segment has a considerable length. The total length of all river routes is about 20,000 km. It is the busiest river in the world. Volumes freight traffic approaching one billion tons per year. The Grand Canal connects the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. A project was implemented to transfer water to the north from the south. Unlike the "turning back the rivers" in the Soviet Union, this is an innovative project, carefully thought out and cost-effective.

Animal world

The Yangtze River is a unique ecosystem and natural habitat for a large number of endangered species, such as Chinese river dolphin, Chinese alligator, Korean alligator, Chinese paddlefish. In addition to 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 protected areas.

Huanghe is one of the largest waterways in Asia. Its name, translated from Chinese, means Yellow River. It is associated with a yellow tint, which is given to its waters by abundant sediments. 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 ethnic group.
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 ​​more than 750 thousand km2. Because of 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 levees has been built. Their total length is more than 5000 kilometers. But, as a result of dam breaks, even greater floods occur, and the channel also moves and a large number of people die. Another name for this river is "Mountain of China".

History and geography

The Yellow River has been famous for disasters since ancient times. It has always been prone to spills that lead to floods. They have happened about 1500 times in the last 3000 years. Its course has changed at least 12 times over the last millennium. In the eleventh century, the transition to a new direction 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. It only stopped its movement, but on the other hand it claimed about a million lives of the Chinese themselves and 54 km2 of the inhabited territory were flooded. Floods and dam breaks claim the lives of millions of inhabitants of the China Plain. Scientists believe that the cause of these cataclysms is anthropogenic factors, and that the construction of dams and other protective structures only provokes them.
More than 140 million people are provided with water at the expense of the Yellow River basin and from there it comes, watering a large number of fields located along this river. In its lower reaches there is a reserve "Sources of three rivers". It has hydroelectric power plants. The Grand Canal connects the two Great Rivers, the Yellow River and the Yangtze. The Huang He is navigable on separate stretches. Along it grew many cities.

Ecology of the Yellow River

China has published data that due to the unreasonable use of 1/3 of the river is not suitable even for use in agricultural and industrial purposes. This tragedy has come reset industrial waste into the river. The increase in cities leads to water pollution by runoff. Activities for the restoration of the Yellow River ecosystem are controlled at the highest level.

Ob River with Irtysh River Ob with Irtysh- one of the greatest rivers of 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 northwestern direction, collecting the waters of numerous tributaries.
The Ob path is distinguished by its picturesque and natural beauty. It is the tributaries that make it the deepest river in the country. Although even at the beginning of its journey, it carries 1,500 cubic meters per second. And this reaches half 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 truly great cities on the Ob River, including Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Nizhnevartovsk, Surgut, Nefteyugansk.
The most significant moment of its course, which is noted especially by travelers, can be called its confluence with the Irtysh. This is no less interesting river, characterized by impressive dimensions. In 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 exceeds 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 it 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 Ulungur Lake, as well as to some other channels. The river flows through China, Kazakhstan and Russia.
On the border with China, the first navigable routes along the Irtysh begin. Today, powerful hydroelectric power stations are also located on the waters, which are becoming one of the main sources of energy. Along its course, the Irtysh has surprisingly picturesque places, burnt steppes, and forest zones.
Interestingly, the confluence of the Ob River with the Irtysh led to the flooding of the valley. Also in this place is an amazing chapel - floating. She appeared here only a few years ago, but has already managed to 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 are waters that stretch to high shores 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 begins with two sources - Ka-Khem and Biy-Khem. From the last source, the length of the Yenisei River is usually calculated. The river itself begins as a narrow brook, flowing near the topographers hill and moving along the slope of the Eastern Sayan. In total, the length of the Yenisei is about 5075 kilometers.
Of particular importance is the basin area, which is 2580 thousand square kilometers. This makes the Yenisei the second largest in Russia and the seventh largest in the world. The geographical network of the river is striking in its dimensions. In total, it is represented by 198,620 rivers, which stretch for 884,754 kilometers.
The Yenisei River moves from south to north, conditionally dividing the country in half. A distinctive feature is the diversity of the pool, which is represented by three independent parts. The upper expanses 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 takes out at least six hundred cubic meters of water into the Red Sea, 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 stations of Eurasia are located. These are the 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 nutrition of the Yenisei is represented by a mixed type, however, a significant amount is often snow, which is represented by about 50%. Additionally, rain nutrition is isolated in a percentage of 36-38% of the total amount and underground - less than 16%. A significant part of the river is characterized by summer floods, spring floods, and reduced runoff in winter.
The amount of flow is quite voluminous and reaches 624 cubic kilometers, which brings the river to the first place in the country in terms of this indicator. The freezing of the river occurs from October and begins from the lower reaches. The opening occurs at the end of April, starting from the upper reaches.
There are many cities on the Yenisei, including Kyzyl, Divnogorsk, Lesosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk. In addition, the territory of the river is an important shipping route. Flights move regularly, starting from the Signified, pumping up the mouth. It reaches 3013 kilometers in length.

Lena River Lena- a majestic river flowing through the northern part of the country, flowing into the Laptev Sea. Some call this reservoir a kind of pioneer. He became the first who began to make his way to the sea through boundless Siberia after the melting of glaciers.
Interestingly, many associate the name of the river with female name. However, in reality, there is nothing in common between these concepts. The "name" of the river means the word "Elyu-Ene", which refers to the Evenki language of the Tungus-Manchurian group. Translated into Russian, it means "Big River". That is how the explorer Pyanda called the river, 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, the Lena River changes its character, just like a person, it shows different temperaments. At the beginning of the journey, she copies a stormy choleric, on average she resembles a calm phlegmatic, at the bottom she represents an extraordinary sanguine, and in her delta - a melancholic. The main sections of the river differ in the nature of the flow:

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

Lena carries its own waters, gradually filling up from tributaries. Among the most basic are the following - Manzurka, Chai, Vitim, Aldan, Vilyuy. 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 among themselves, forms lakes and channels.
Ecological territories are also located here in the river delta. Among them are the reserves Ust Lensky - Sokol and Delta, it is also worth noting the Lena-Ustye reserve, which is considered the largest in the country. In total, 32 fish species, 402 plant species, 33 mammal species and 109 bird species can be found here.
The Lena River is one of the ten largest countries in the world. It is also considered one of the cleanest in the world due to the lack of hydroelectric power plants and dams. That is why it is possible in many places of the river to drink water from it without boiling and without any negative consequences for your health. There is often sludge on the river. It represents the freezing of the river from the ice and the rise on the surfaces of pieces of ice, which can form congestion due to the filling of the channel.

Amur River River Amur flows through the territory of Russia, Mongolia and China, occupying the expanses of the eastern part of Eurasia. The Amur 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, arguing that it flows into the Sea of ​​Japan. In total, the length of the river reaches 2824 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 "Khan 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 the monsoon rains. The minimum and maximum of water has a significant difference, reaching 10-15 centimeters. Today, scientists are dealing with river flooding due to seasonal rains. Spills are often observed in the summer and spring seasons. In the first case, the cause is frequent precipitation, and in the second - the melting of snow and ice. Annual runoff also affects the water regime of the Amur River. He can be:

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

The feeding of the river is determined by the rains. Under the condition of heavy snowfalls, recharge can also be observed with snow. However, this does not happen every year.
A huge number of aquatic inhabitants live in the Amur River. There are 136 species of fish, among which 40 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 Chinese perch, yellow-cheeked, killer whale, snakehead, kaluga.
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 various tributaries. The Zeya becomes the largest, which acts as the left tributary of the Amur, but at the same time exceeds it in width and depth. The right tributary is the Bureya, which carries its waters through the territory of China. Among the other tributaries, the Sungari, Amgun, Ussuri are distinguished. The last river represents a 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. Europeans were introduced to this river by the Portuguese Diogo Kan. It happened in 1482 during one of Diogo's voyages.
This reservoir 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. The Congo flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a deep channel. This river is the second longest in Africa and the second in terms of water content, second only to the Amazon.
The greatest 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. Waterfalls are also formed here, which are named after Livingston. They fall from a height of 270 meters. Here there are the greatest depths exceeding 230 meters.
The high water on the Congo River is observed twice a year. In December and May, at the mouth, the river reaches its highest level. It reaches its minimum mark in August and March. The waters of the Congo can be seen far into the Atlantic Ocean during this process.
The reservoir is famous for its huge number of fish. Here it is possible to catch Nile perch, mormyrops, catfish of the Congo River and other freshwater inhabitants. The most interesting representative of the waters can definitely be called tiger fish. This is a fairly large predator with large teeth, which is put on a par with piranha in terms of its danger. Its dimensions can reach up to 70 kg. Locals are ready to tell many legends related to tiger fish, including stories about its attacks on people. Although in reality this predator prefers small fish.
The Congo is an important navigable river in Africa. It is considered its main waterway. In total, shipping routes reach 20 thousand km in length. In addition, the river acts as the main source of hydropower in view of the transfer of significant masses of water. To date, it has three large-scale hydroelectric stations.
The Congo River is deservedly called one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the whole world. Along its course there are evergreen rainforests, amazing valleys, majestic mountain ranges. The funnel-shaped mouth just before the river flows 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, as well as some other metals.

Without rivers, it is impossible to imagine the existence of life on earth, which are the largest sources of fresh water for areas of tens of thousands of square kilometers. It was the big rivers that became the cradles of the greatest civilizations of mankind, and now hundreds of millions of people live along them, the Nile and the Yangtze can be a typical example. As always, between separate groups of scientists and entire countries there is a dispute in absentia, which is the longest river on earth. Why are whole expeditions equipped to search for new sources, to add several tens of kilometers to the length of the river. Meet the ten longest rivers on earth, where out of ten rivers, four flow through the territory of Russia.

10. Lena

Lena has a length of 4.400 kilometers, the basin of which is located entirely in Russia. The source of the river starts from a small lake a few kilometers from Lake Baikal at an altitude of 2,020 meters above sea level and flows into the Laptev Sea. The local peoples called the river Elyu-Yene, which in Russian meant to be translated as “big river”, eventually transformed into the more memorable “Lena”. The height of the river varies greatly depending on the season, reaching a peak in the summer-autumn period during the melting of snow and ice, and the rainy season.

9. Amur - Argun

The length of the Amur and Argun river systems is 4,444 kilometers, most of the channel, which runs along the border of China and Russia. The source of the river is located in the mountains of the Greater Khingan and flows into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The depth of the Amur has very large seasonal fluctuations, because 75% of the river's flow is rainwater, most of which falls in the autumn-summer period.

8. Congo - Chambeshi

The system of the Congo and Chambeshi rivers has a total length of 4,700 kilometers, its sources are located near Lake Tanganyika at an altitude of 1,760 meters. The banks of the river are very swampy, and the mouth has a large number of extensions in the form of lakes. By the way, this is the only major river in the world that crosses the equator twice, plus it has the largest area of ​​flooded land in the world during a flood.

7. Ob - Irtysh

The system of the Ob and Irtysh rivers, which flow through the territory of China, Kazakhstan and Russia, has a length of 5.410 kilometers. The source of the river is located in the mountain system of the Mongolian Altai on the border of Mongolia with China and flows into the Kara Sea. By the way, the length of the Irtysh exceeds the length of the Ob several times and is 4.248 kilometers.

6. Huang He

The Yellow River, whose name is translated into Russian as the "Yellow River", has a length of 5.464 kilometers. The river got its name for the yellow water and light brown sediments on the banks. The source of the river is located in the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 4,000 meters. The Yellow Sea flows into the Yellow Sea, which is really yellow because of the river water. The river is one of the two arteries of life in China, however, due to a disregard for the environment, one third of the river's waters are unusable.

5. Yenisei - Angara - Selenga

The largest river in Russia, or rather a system of three rivers, the Yenisei, Angara and Selenga, has a length of 5.539 kilometers. The origins of the river are located on the territory of Mongolia in the Khangai mountains, turning into a full-flowing Selenga river that flows into Lake Baikal. The Angara flows out of the lake (by the way, this is the only river flowing out of Baikal) and flows into the Yenisei, which, having overcome 3,500 kilometers, flows into the Kara Sea. After the construction of several hydroelectric power plants, 500 kilometers of the river below Krasnoyarsk does not freeze all year round, which became a real environmental disaster for the region.

4. Mississippi - Missouri

The Mississippi and Missouri River System, at 6,275 kilometers long, is the largest in North America that flows only through the United States, although it should be noted that a small part of the river basin is in Canada. The river originates in the rocky mountains and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Individually, the Mississippi and Missouri are just over 3,000 kilometers long. In recent decades, the waters of the Mississippi have been heavily polluted, due to the active use of chemicals in agriculture, which has become a real environmental disaster for the Gulf of Mexico, where the river flows.

3. Yangtze

The Yangtze River, whose name is translated from Chinese as "long river", in full accordance with its name, is one of the three longest rivers in the world, the length of which is 6,300 kilometers. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 5,000 meters. About a third of China's population lives in the Yangtze basin, which in its very occupies one-fifth of the country's territory. Endangered species of fish and mammals live here, so some sections of the river have been turned into reserves.

2. Nile

The Nile has a length of 6.852 kilometers, the origins of which are located on the East African Plateau at an altitude of 2000 meters, where it rains heavily almost all year round and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. In the upper course, the tributaries of the Bahr el-Ghazal and Achva, Sobat, Blue Nile and Atbara flow into the river, and the last 3,000 kilometers of the Nile flows through the desert and has no tributaries. By the way, the Nile is a real source of life for Egypt, along which 97% of the country's population lives.

1. Amazon

For a long time, the Amazon was considered the second largest river in the world, however, it has recently been recognized as the longest river in the world. The starting point of the Ucayali River was taken as a reference point, as a result, now officially the river has a length of more than 7000 kilometers. The river also has the largest delta in the world with an area of ​​​​about 100 thousand square kilometers, in the center of which is the largest river island in the world, Marajo, with an area of ​​40 thousand square kilometers (this is no less than the area of ​​Switzerland). The Amazon originates in the Peruvian highlands of the Andes, crosses South America and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Life on Earth is impossible without fresh water, the main supplier of which is water arteries. Most major rivers were originally the cradle of human civilization.

It is difficult to overestimate their importance, not without reason they are called the rivers of life. This includes drinking water, and solving the food problem, farming, and obtaining electrical energy, without which it is impossible modern life on the planet, and finally transport connection.

Let's look at the top five leaders - the world's greatest blue arteries.

The honorary list is headed by the Amazon - the heart of South America.

Until recently, this great river was considered only the second on the planet in its length after the Nile. But, having taken the source of the Ucayali as a true reference point, scientists have now officially recognized the Amazon as the longest water artery in the world, the length of which is over 7000 km.

This river holds the largest volume of water in the world. Originating in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, the water flow reaches the Brazilian delta and is lost in the Atlantic Ocean. It absorbs the power of 40% of the waters of South America.

The largest river on the planet floods during the rainy season so much that under its waters are forests the size of the territory of England, and during the drought, tons of fish are isolated in the resulting lagoons. This creates a paradise for predators.

There are a lot of caimans here - reptiles of the crocodile family. There are several million of them thanks to the state program for the protection of caimans, and yet only 30-40 years ago this species of crocodiles was on the verge of extinction.

About 3000 species of fish live in the bowels of the blue artery, of which only 2/3 are well studied. There is also the legendary Amazonian inia - a species of river dolphin. The length of this exotic animal reaches 3 meters, and the weight is 90 kg. The brain of the Amazonian inia is 40% larger than that of a human. Animals are incredibly smart and naturally very playful. There are such dolphins of different shades - from light gray to pink. And although they are naturally blind, nature gave them special organs - sonars, with the help of which the ini unmistakably find their food.

The Amazon crosses all of South America: from the Peruvian headwaters to the Brazilian delta. The river basin is entangled with thousands of tributaries flowing into the largest artery on earth. Although its glacial origins lie high in the Peruvian Andes, the history of the Amazon begins 1,800 km downstream, where the Ucayali and Marañon rivers meet. Only after their confluence in the jungles of Peru is the river called the Amazon.

About 4000 km downstream, the dark clear waters of the Rio Negro flow into the muddy stream of the Amazon. 11 km of black and brown waters flow side by side before finally mingling together. With a width of more than 8 km and a depth of up to 100 m, the Amazon turns into a trade route through which goods from the heart of the jungle (forest, soybeans) can enter the open sea.

To its 240-kilometer delta, the water artery comes out with such force that it repels salt water Atlantic Ocean 100 km from land. The power of her flow is incredible!

The waters of the Amazon rule over everything that surrounds its shores. And although it flows through one of the most remote regions of the planet, 7 million people live on its shores. Neither the inhabitants of abandoned villages, nor the townspeople of bustling megacities can control the power of the largest river, adapting to the rules of life that it dictates to them.

With a depth of up to several hundred meters and up to 40 km wide, the largest river is also the deepest in the world. Man has not yet been able to curb this majestic and capricious river. From its source to its mouth, no bridge crosses it, no dam slows its flow.

During the rainy season, the volume of the water flow increases sharply, the water level rises by 20 meters. And the area occupied by the river triples. It is these powerful fluctuations in the water level that make it impossible to conquer the Amazon.

The strength of its waters and the inaccessible terrain through which it flows have protected the Amazon from harmful human intervention for many centuries. Until recently, it was still believed that nothing threatened these virgin forests of the river basin. But the aggressive commercial activity of man, the development of the land destroys the jungle and the protection that they gave the river is gradually disappearing. But the trees of the Amazon produce about 20% of the oxygen on Earth.

Today, the delicate ecological balance of the region is on the brink of no return. The river itself, its flora and fauna, and the people living here are more vulnerable than ever.

Only thanks to this river, considered sacred since antiquity, can people survive in the most difficult conditions of an arid climate and a lack of fertile soils. After flooding, during the rainy season, the second longest waterway in the world leaves behind fertile silt, allowing rice and other crops to be cultivated on its banks. The length of this fertile water stream is 6852 km, and the area of ​​its basin exceeds 3.3 million square meters. km.

A stream originates in the East African Plateau. It carries its waters from south to north of the African continent and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The river separates the Arabian desert from the Libyan. In different places, the width of the valley of life varies from 1 km to 25 km.

95% of the country's population lives in the valley of this greatest river. The delta of the blue artery is the most fertile area on Earth, 3 crops are harvested here per year.

This greatest and deep-water stream of Eurasia is the third in the world ranking of the largest rivers on the planet.

The length of the blue artery is 6.3 thousand km, and the area of ​​​​its basin is more than 1.8 million square meters. km. The river originates in the Tibetan Plateau. Passing the Sino-Tibetan mountains, the Yangtze flows into the Sichuan basin. On this section of the path, the river is especially beautiful, its path passes through deep gorges, famous for their difficult terrain. Thanks to the fast current, the world's largest hydroelectric power plant called "Three Gorges" was built on this stretch of path.

Further, the river makes its way along the southern part of the Great Plain of China. Its waters replenish four of the five largest lakes in China. Dividing into branches, at the mouth the water flow forms a delta with an area of ​​about 80 thousand square meters. km. The Yangtze flows into Pacific Ocean.

Many bridges have been built across the Yangtze, but the Sutong Bridge, which occupies the first longest place in the world among cable-stayed structures, should be especially noted. Its length is 8 km.

The Blue Artery Delta is home to alligators and paddlefish, the largest freshwater fish on the planet. And this the only place on land where alligators are found outside the United States of America. There is also a lot of such industrial fish as carp, grass carp, silver carp.

The river has a yellowish color due to the numerous sediments from loess soils, which is why the Chinese called it the "Yellow River". The sea into which the river flows is also called the Yellow Sea.

Huang He is the fourth in the world list of the most the greatest rivers, its length is 5464 km, and the area of ​​​​the water basin is 700 thousand square meters. km.

The water artery originates in the mountains of Tibet. Further, its path passes through the swampy plain Sin-Su-Khai, where the river replenishes its waters and merges with the lakes Tsarin-nor and Norin-nor, which are separated by a channel. Passing through the mountain ranges of Kunlun and Nanshan, the river, forming a large bend, enters the expanses of the Great Plain of China and then flows into the Yellow Sea.

Like the Nile, after flooding, the Yangtze leaves a lot of fertile silt on its banks, which helps the people of China in agriculture. However, the Yellow River often overflows its banks and changes course, and even numerous dams cannot calm its stormy and unpredictable temper.

Once the river was rich different types flora and fauna. But now there are practically no living creatures in it, since toxic waste from oil refineries and other hazardous industries are poured into its waters. And although local authorities annually allocate money for its cleaning, this does not bring tangible results. About 30% of Huanghe waters are not suitable even for industrial use.

The largest Russian river is the fifth in the world among the longest water streams in the world. It closes our top five largest water arteries of the planet.

The length of the Ob is 5410 km. The area of ​​the river basin is almost 3 million square meters. km. At the junction of the Katun and Biya, in Altai, the largest water flow is born. The river flows into the Kara Sea, having previously formed the Gulf of Ob (800-kilometer bay).

The river gives life-giving moisture to 30 million people, because the population of three countries of the world lives on its banks: Russia, China and Kazakhstan.

The largest water flow is of great importance for industrial and economic development adjacent territories. Oil and gas are produced here, large-scale developments and extraction of peat deposits are carried out. In addition, the Ob is a navigable river. Both freight and passenger traffic is developed on the river.

At the same time, the basin of the water artery is rich in numerous species of valuable commercial fish species. One third of the world's fish production comes from Ob's catches. The wealth of the Ob is sterlet, whitefish, omul, muksun. There are a lot of pike, pike perch, ide and burbot in it.

👁 15.5k (24 per week) / 03/21/2017⏱️ 6 min.

From space, the Earth is seen predominantly in white and blue tones. This is not surprising, since two-thirds of its surface is covered with a layer of water. In addition to the four oceans and numerous seas, there are also a huge number of rivers, swamps and lakes.
Water shows the most dynamic behavior in rivers, which are always flowing somewhere, which distinguishes them from other natural reservoirs. Rivers begin with the smallest, inconspicuous streams, and as they gain strength, they can turn into huge water streams. The longest rivers cross continents, carrying water thousands of kilometers from their sources. Rivers have historically been of great importance for humans - since ancient times, people built cities near rivers, took water from there for drinking and irrigating fields, and transported goods and heavy loads along them. Often the length of a river can be very difficult to measure: one is difficult to find the source, the other has an ambiguous confluence.

The greatness and extraordinary beauty of the mountains leaves few people indifferent. Sometimes snow-covered ridges inspire fear, sometimes they fascinate, inspire, beckon...

1. Amazon (6992 km)

The most full-flowing river in the world, the Amazon has always been considered the longest river in South America, and for some time the world. This mighty river has the widest estuary and the largest catchment area in terms of area. It provides 15% of the spillway of all the world's rivers. Its source is the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranion rivers. To clarify the length of the river had to use satellite images. Different scientists calculate the length of the Amazon in different ways: taking into account the length from the source of the Marañon River, the length of the Amazon is 6992.06 km, taking into account the length of the Apachet River - about 7000 km, and taking into account the Ukayaki River - then the length of the river becomes generally more than 7000 km. Thus, the Amazon was able to outstrip even the Nile in length.

2. Nile (6852 km)

Having conceded the world palm to the Amazon, in Africa the Nile, undoubtedly, remained the leader in length. The Nile begins on the East African Plateau and flows north, crossing Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, where it flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming a vast delta with fertile land.

3. Yangtze (6300 km)

The great Chinese Yangtze River originates behind the clouds in Tibet - at an altitude of 5600 meters among glaciers, after which it crosses the whole country until it meets the South China Sea. The basin of this mighty river covers an area of ​​1.8 million square meters. km. This is the third longest river in the world, and the first in all of Eurasia. China is divided by the river into northern and southern parts. For the country, the importance of the Yangtze cannot be exaggerated: a cascade of powerful hydroelectric power stations has been built here, and the largest Chinese cities have been built along its banks. In addition, together with the Yellow River, it is the most important river for China in cultural and historical terms.

4. Huang He (5464 km)

Huang He, which means "Yellow River" is the second largest in China. It is not named so by chance - in its yellow-colored waters it carries millions of tons of loess from the Shaanxi plateau. It also begins high in the Tibetan mountains, then flows east to the confluence with the Yellow Sea. Huang He is considered to be the cradle of the great Chinese civilization. The river is constantly changing its course. Water from it is used not only for irrigation, but also drink 140 million Chinese. There are also many large Chinese cities along the banks of the river.

5. Mekong (4500 km)

The Nine Dragon River or Mekong flows through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China. It is the largest waterway of the Indochinese Peninsula. It begins in the Tibetan Plateau, but then turns to the southeast. Peasants water their rice fields with water from the Mekong, and its wide overflows are very favorable for the cultivation of this crop. But the hydropower resources of the Mekong are used extremely poorly. The Mekong has one of the largest deltas in the world (in Vietnam). In recent years, the river delta has been threatened by flooding from rising sea levels and regular landslides.

6. Lena (4400 km)

The largest Russian river, the Lena, has a basin that is entirely located on the territory of the country. It originates on the Baikal Ridge, at an altitude of 1470 meters, where there is a small swamp. Below Yakutsk, two full-flowing tributaries flow into the Lena - Vilyui and Aldan, making it a mighty water stream. The width of the river in this section is 10 kilometers, but in some places it spills over 30 kilometers. Further downstream begin mountain ranges, which do not allow the river to overflow strongly and accelerate its flow. Finally, near the mouth, the Lena slows down, breaks up into many branches, forming a vast delta, after which it flows into the Laptev Sea. 4400 km - the length of the river, taking into account the delta, also sometimes another value appears 4294 km - the length of the river excluding the Bykovskaya channel.

South America for us is something unattainable and exotic. Much has been written about these places. literary works, filmed a huge amount ...

7. Parana (4380 km)

It is the second river in South America after the Amazon. Parana flows from north to south of the mainland through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina before confluence near Buenos Aires in La Plata Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. Parana is navigable for sea ​​ships up to the city of Rosario. Across the river (in its middle course) is the border of two states - Paraguay and Argentina, and downstream its bank became the western border of the low-lying region of Mesopotamia Argentina.

8. Congo (4374 km)

One of the largest rivers in Africa is the Congo (or Zaire), which flows in the equatorial regions of the continent and is second only to the Nile in length. There are many states in the Congo basin: the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Burundi, Angola, Rwanda. The area of ​​the Zaire basin is over 4 million square kilometers. km. This river, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, has a huge economic importance for the states of this region.

9. Irtysh (4248 km)

The Irtysh carries its waters through the lands of China, Kazakhstan and Russia. This largest tributary of the Ob is the world's longest tributary. The Irtysh-Ob river system, which is 5410 kilometers, is the longest in Russia, the second in Asia and the sixth in the world. Water is taken from the Irtysh for the Irtysh-Karaganda canal, laid to provide irrigation and water supply to the region. From the lower pool of the Ust-Kamenogorsk hydroelectric power station to the confluence with the Ob, that is, at a distance of 3784 kilometers, regular navigation is carried out along the Irtysh.

10. Niger (4180 km)

The Niger River is very important for West Africa. It has a rather unusual trajectory, reminiscent of the shape of a boomerang, which until recently baffled geographers. The source of this river is only 240 kilometers from the coast of the Atlantic, and, it would seem, should quickly merge into the nearby ocean in the form of a small river, however, Niger turned in the opposite direction, drawing a much longer unusual path to the same Atlantic Ocean .

To late XIX century, people began to understand that if they did not protect environment, but only to exploit it mercilessly, then in a fairly short time ...

11. Mississippi (3770 km)

Mississippi is the longest river North America. It originates in northern Minnesota, in Lake Itasca, then flows south, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Its largest tributary is another large river, the Missouri, which closely follows it on our list of the longest rivers in the world. The Mississippi basin covers 31 US states and a couple of Canadian provinces, covering an area of ​​3.27 million square meters. km. Translated from the language of the Indians - the indigenous inhabitants of these places, the Mississippi means "great (big) river." For the country's economy, this river is of great importance - it carries out a lively navigation, a lot of passengers and cargo are transported.

12. Missouri (3767 km)

It has already been mentioned above that the Missouri is the longest tributary of the Mississippi, but it is only 3m behind in length. The source of the Missouri is in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Flowing to the southeast, the river flows into the area of ​​the city of St. Louis in Mississippi. Shipping on Missouri is going through hard times. The amount of goods transported by barges has been inexorably declining for several decades now. At first, this was facilitated by the construction of dams on the river, and then by increased competition among other modes of transport, mainly from rail transport. Various projects are currently being developed to revive the former shipping and Missouri's need for the nation's economy.

13. Ob (3650 km)

The next great Siberian river - the Ob - crosses the entire territory of this region until it flows into the ocean in the north. The Ob takes its origin in Altai, at the place where two rivers merge - the Katun and the Biya. The catchment area of ​​the Ob is approximately 3 million square kilometers. km. The Ob, like other great Siberian rivers, is of great importance for the Russian economy: a number of hydroelectric power stations have been built on it, it is used as a transport artery.

Africa, in geological terms, is represented mainly by the Precambrian period, and the mountain ranges of the Black Continent are located only in two ...

14. Volga (3530 km)

This largest and longest river in Europe begins on the Valdai Upland, after which it slowly flows along the Central Russian Upland, before the Ural foothills it turns south and heads towards the Caspian Sea. It is noteworthy that at the mouth of the Volga, it drops 28 meters below the level of the world ocean.

15. Yenisei (3487 km)

This one of the mighty and long Siberian rivers begins near the Russian-Mongolian border. Then the Yenisei cuts through the whole of Siberia, dividing it into Eastern and Western, after which it flows into the Kara Sea. Many hydroelectric power plants have been built on the Yenisei, supplying Siberian enterprises with electricity; it is an important Siberian transport artery. But the appearance of numerous reservoirs had a bad effect on the local ecology.

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Water flows are extremely variable. AT different years, and even seasons, their length and volume of water change. The debate about which river is the longest in the world has not subsided so far. However, the TOP-10 remains unchanged, only the places change.

South America is an amazing continent where the longest river in the world, the Amazon, is located. It flows through several countries - Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The area of ​​​​its basin is approximately 7.05 million km², which is almost the territory of Australia.

The name of the longest river in the world comes from the legendary Amazon tribes that inhabited its banks, with whom the discoverers of the mainland, the conquistadors, had to fight. Another curious fact: in the past, the Amazon has repeatedly changed the direction of its flow, until it “stopped” at the final version - from west to east, crossing the entire mainland.

Nile (6,700 km)

For a long time it was believed that the Nile was the longest river in the world, until a new tributary of the Amazon was discovered. The origins of the Nile are in Rwanda, but in total it passes through 10 African countries. For Egypt, whose territory accounts for a significant part of the river, it is of inestimable importance. It is along its banks that more than 95% of the population of the state lives.

Missouri-Mississippi (6,275 km)

Many Americans are still convinced that the Mississippi is the longest river in the world. No wonder, because it is almost entirely located in the United States. In fact, its length is “only” 3,734 km. And if the Missouri had not turned from a full-fledged river into a tributary of the Mississippi, she would not have seen the top 10 as her ears.

Yangtze (5,800 km)

Translated from Chinese, the name means "long river". It is the longest in Eurasia, located in China. The waters of the Yangtze are home to many rare and endangered species, including alligators, sturgeon and river dolphins.

Huang He (5,464 km)

The name of this river, also located in China, is translated as "yellow". It owes this to clay sediments that are washed from its banks and give the water a yellowish-muddy tint. Moreover, the same name was given to the sea into which the Huang He flows.

Ob (5,410 km)

The longest river in Russia, located in Western Siberia. It has not many tributaries and is filled mainly due to snowmelt. The name, most likely, came from the translation of the word "snow", in the language of the Komi people.

Lena (5,100 km)

The largest of the rivers located entirely on the territory of the Russian Federation, in Eastern Siberia. For most of the year, Lena is under a thick layer of ice, so navigation is rather poorly developed, and the coast is practically uninhabited.

Amur (5,052 km)

The next of the top 10 longest rivers in the world is also located, for the most part, in Russia. It also flows through China and Mongolia. Interestingly, the unofficial name in Chinese sounds like "Heilongjiang" - the Black Dragon River.

Congo (4,700 km)

In terms of full flow, this river is second only to the Amazon. In some places, its depth exceeds 250 meters. Most of the reservoir is located on the territory of the Republic of the Congo. The river crosses the equator twice and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Mackenzie (4,240 km)

Canada, it turns out, is not only a country of lakes. On its territory is the last of the 10 longest rivers in the world. Interestingly, it was originally called " Disappointment” - a disappointment, but later it was renamed in honor of the discoverer, Alexander Mackenzie.