longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world
The Yangtze River (长江, Cháng Jiāng) is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, after the Nile in Africa, and the Amazon in South America. The river is about 6,300 km long and flows from its source in Qinghai Province, eastwards through Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Dongting Lake in Hubei, Hunan, Poyang Lake in Jinagxi, Anhui and Jiangsu and finally reaches the East China Sea at Shanghai. It has traditionally been considered a dividing line between North and South China, although geographers consider the Qinling-Huai River line to be the official line of geographical division.
The river is a major transportation artery for China, connecting the interior with the coast. The Three Gorges Dam on the river is the largest comprehensive irrigation project in the world and has a significant impact on China's agriculture.
Flooding along the river has been a major problem. The huge river system receives water both from southern and northern flanks, which causes its flood season to extend from May to August. Meanwhile, the relatively dense population and rich cities along the river make the floods more deadly and costly.
The river is a major transportation artery for China, connecting the interior with the coast. The Three Gorges Dam on the river is the largest comprehensive irrigation project in the world and has a significant impact on China's agriculture.
Flooding along the river has been a major problem. The huge river system receives water both from southern and northern flanks, which causes its flood season to extend from May to August. Meanwhile, the relatively dense population and rich cities along the river make the floods more deadly and costly.