Yangtze River

Yangtze River
Name	Yangtze River
Native name	长江
Caption	The Yangtze River as seen from space.
Source1 location	Tanggula Mountains
Mouth location	East China Sea
Subdivision type1	Country
Subdivision name1	China
Length	6300 km
Basin size	1800000 km2

Yangtze River. It is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, flowing entirely within the territory of the People's Republic of China. From its source in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to its mouth near Shanghai, it traverses a vast and diverse landscape, serving as a crucial physical and cultural divide between northern and southern China. The river's immense basin has been the cradle of Chinese civilization for millennia and remains the country's primary inland waterway, supporting a significant portion of its population and economic activity.

Geography and course

The river originates from the Jianggendiru Glacier on the southwestern slope of the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai province. It flows generally southward through the deep gorges of Yunnan and Sichuan, where it is joined by major tributaries like the Yalong River and the Min River. Passing through the Sichuan Basin, it then cuts through the spectacular Three Gorges region between Fengjie and Yichang. Emerging onto the plains, it receives waters from the Han River and the Xiang River before flowing into the large Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake systems. Its final stretch meanders across the expansive Yangtze River Delta before emptying into the East China Sea north of Shanghai.

Hydrology and climate

The river's flow regime is primarily fed by monsoon rains and, in its upper reaches, meltwater from the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. Seasonal variation is extreme, with the summer monsoon from the Pacific Ocean causing severe flood risks, historically documented in events like the 1931 China floods. The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest power station, was constructed primarily for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The basin experiences a humid subtropical climate, though the upper reaches in Tibet have an alpine climate, influencing sediment transport and water quality measured by institutions like the Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China.

Ecology and environment

The basin is a global biodiversity hotspot, home to endemic and endangered species such as the Yangtze finless porpoise, the Chinese alligator, and the now-functionally extinct Yangtze river dolphin. Key wetlands like Poyang Lake provide critical habitat for migratory birds including the Siberian crane. Major environmental challenges stem from industrial pollution from cities like Chongqing and Wuhan, agricultural runoff, and habitat fragmentation caused by dams like the Gezhouba Dam. Conservation efforts are coordinated by bodies like the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

History and culture

The river has been a central artery of Chinese civilization since the Neolithic era, with the Three Gorges region showing evidence of the ancient Ba people and Shu culture. It formed the southern boundary of states like the Zhou dynasty and was a crucial front during the Three Kingdoms period and the Second Sino-Japanese War, notably during the Battle of Shanghai. It has inspired countless works of art and literature, from the poetry of Li Bai to traditional Chinese painting. The Jingzhou area and the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan are prominent cultural landmarks along its banks.

Economic importance

It is the busiest inland waterway in the world, a vital transport corridor for goods moving between the interior and ports like Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan. The Three Gorges Dam project, managed by the China Yangtze Power company, provides a substantial portion of the nation's hydroelectricity. The fertile Jianghan Plain and the Yangtze River Delta are major agricultural regions producing rice and wheat. The basin is also a core industrial zone, hosting key manufacturing centers for companies like SAIC Motor and Foxconn.

Major cities and infrastructure

Major metropolises located directly on its banks include the provincial capital Chengdu, the mega-city of Chongqing, the industrial hub Wuhan, the historic city Nanjing, and the global financial center Shanghai. Critical infrastructure includes the monumental Three Gorges Dam, the parallel Gezhouba Dam, and major bridges like the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge and the Sutong Yangtze River Bridge. Its navigability is enhanced by ports such as the Port of Chongqing and the Port of Wuhan, connecting to the Grand Canal (China) and international shipping lanes.

Category:Rivers of China Category:Geography of China Category:East Asia