Rivers
A river is fresh water flowing across the surface of the land, usually to the sea. It flows in a
channel. The bottom of the channel is called the bed and the sides of the channel are called the
banks. Rivers generally start at a source. The early course of a river is often in steep, mountain
areas, with rapidly-flowing cold water. At the source of a river, the water is relatively pure.
As the water flows downstream, it picks up silt and minerals (including mineral salts) from the
soil and rock in the river bed. There are rivers on every continent (except Antarctica). Rivers are
an important part of the Earth's water cycle and the sculpting of the Earth's topography as they
carry huge quantities of water from the land to the sea.
Benefits of Rivers

Rivers carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth.

Rivers provide travel routes for exploration, commerce and recreation.

River valleys and plains provide fertile soils.

Farmers in dry regions irrigate their cropland using water carried by irrigation ditches from
nearby rivers.
Major Rivers of the World
River
Location
1.
Nile
Africa
4,180
2.
Amazon
South America
3,912
3.
Mississippi-Missouri-Red Rock
United States
3,710
4.
Chang Jiang (Yangtze)
China
3,602
5.
Ob
Russia
3,459
6.
Huang Ho (Yellow)
China
2,900
7.
Yenisei
Russia
2,800
8.
Parana
South America
2,795
9.
Irtish
Russia
2,758
10.
Zaire (Congo)
Congo
2,716
www.caribbeanexams.com
Page 1