The Yangtze River is China's major river, covering 6300 kilometers from its source in northeastern China to its exit into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is the longest river in Asia, and the third longest in the world, after the Nile River and Amazon River. Its length has historically made it a demarcation point between northern and southern China, and its navigability made it an important shipping route throughout the large country.
River History
The Yangtze River flows through a region of China called Three Gorges, important not only for its beauty but also for archaeological evidence of human activity from 27,000 years ago. As well, the river was an important division between historical regions of China, and was often the site of military conflicts between those regions.
Dam Controversy
China's plan to build the Three Gorges Dam aroused much controversy over its impact on the areas. This concern stems not only from the ecological effects, but also that it would cause many areas around the dam to be permanently flooded.
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References
Fast Facts
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Official name
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Origination
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Basin area
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Runs from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea
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Birthplace of chinese civilizations Easy Tour China: About Yangtze River
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China's major commercial waterway Easy Tour China: About Yangtze River
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Contains the Three Gorges region, an archaeologically rich area
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Three Gorges Dam is having an adverse impact on the river basin
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Major transportation and shipping route through China
