10 Most Iconic Rivers on Earth

17 Jan 2024 02:09 PM

Throughout the ages, rivers have sustained crops, used as transport, have led to exploration, generally, rivers have shaped the world. Rivers hold many secrets like those of local cultures. Outlined below are ten most iconic rivers;

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1. RHINE

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This iconic river flows for 1,233 kms from the mountains of Switzerland to the North Sea near Rotterdam via Western Germany. Also referred to as "Heroic Rhine" because of its fairytales castles, terraced vineyards and dramatic cliffs, it has been used as a border since roman times. Today, its fascinating scenery and spectacular wines makes it a spectacular tourist destination.

2. COLUMBIA

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This river is known for its part in Lewis and Clark's 1805 westward expedition in the 1860s and for being an obstacle for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. It flows 2,000 kms from Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon, Washington.

3. ORINOCO

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Columbus was the first person to write about this river in 1498 but its source was not found until 1959, it covers more than 2,101 kms. It is found in the present day Colombia and Venezuela and it is home to more than 1000 birds' species and a huge variety of fish.

4. GANGES

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Gushing from the Himalayan ice cave, this 2,620 kms river flows eastward through northern India to Bay of Bengal. This river is sacred to Hindus and they refer to it as "Goddess", on its banks lie yoga ashrams, funeral Ghats and holy cities like Varanasi.

5. DANUBE

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Dating back to the 7th century, this river has been used for trade especially by the Greek sailors who did business along its course. It also claims responsibility for the rise of the Austrian and the Hungarian empire, this river flows for 2,888 kms from Germany's black forest to black sea through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

6. MEKONG

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It is the world's 12th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia covering 4,350 kms. The water of this river is used in farming in Vietnamese rice paddies, fish farming and orchards. It flows through China, Burma, Lao, Thailand and Cambodia. Its delta has been used as a battle ground during the Vietnam War and Indochina war.

7. MISSISSIPPI

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It is the second-largest water shed in the world covering 6,275 kms, it spans 1.2 million square miles, has tributaries from 31 states in USA and two Canadian provinces. Humans have lived along its banks, explorers, settlers and fur traders have traveled in this river. The adventure of the first steam boat of 1812, happened on this river.

8. YANGTZE

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With 6,300 km, this is Asia's longest river watering over 700 tributaries and the third longest in the world.. Over time, this river has witnessed a lot of human activities along its banks, it has been a border between warrior communities and used for transportation for centuries. It flows from the glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai.

9. AMAZON

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This river goes through 6 countries and three time zones; it is the longest river in South America stretching to about 6,400 km, it is also the world's largest fresh water reservoir and it is approximated to contain one fifth of the world's running water. It is surrounded by several flora and fauna.

10. NILE

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The World's Longest river with 6,650 km, the river serves Egypt and its agricultural land. It has made Egypt a rich agricultural society. Its history dates back to when Egypt began controlling the water of this river, as a result, the valley of kings, the Ptolemaic temple and the pyramids of Giza were built along its river banks. By 3,100 BC, the rich Nile valley and delta society became the first world's largest state nation. It runs through the 10 countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.