Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers

It’s our sincere hope that each of you, our readers, will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this article we present about Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers. It was certainly our great pleasure to gather the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

As awesome as they are, the flows listed nonetheless herein represent only a portion of the marvels found throughout our remarkable world. It’s our belief, though, that they serve as excellent representations of the features awaiting the explorer. Check out some of our other articles, as well.

Nile River

Nile River Facts

• Starting off this article about Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers, ranked first in length, we present the ancient marvel known throughout the world as the Nile River.
• The deceptively short term given to it serves as the only commonly used name for this breathtaking creation of Nature today. It’s become known by this moniker throughout the world, and needs no other title to define it. That wasn’t always the case, however.
• In the distant past, this stunning marvel of geology held numerous other designations. These alternate terms, though, merely represented its appellation in different tongues and periods of time. The ancient Egyptians called the amazing flow Iteru, while the Greeks named it Neilos.
• Archaeological evidence also indicates that ancient humans knew of this wonder beginning in the earliest portions of the Stone Age. Related discoveries further indicate that the earliest organized fixed settlements along its length originated in approximately 6,000 BCE.
• In comparatively modern times, the search for its source became something of a fixation for a large majority of European explorers. The earliest known searches for this location began in the 14th century. Even today, though, its actual source remains a source of moderate debate.
• This majestic flow additionally stands out for obvious reasons in the minds of many. Yet, it’s also simultaneously the source of confusion. Historically, it’s typically been considered the longest river on earth. Some experts, however, contend that title belongs to the Amazon.
• The Nile River represents an irreplaceable natural feature that needs our protection. Historians teach us that it served as the cradle of civilization its area, so has much historical significance. Accordingly, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites now lie located along its length.

Nile River Physical Description

The phenomenal Nile River never fails to captivate those countless individuals fortunate enough to visit this astonishing formation of geological processes. That’s perhaps due to the fact that it boasts an incredibly impressive combination of attributes seemingly designed to amaze the visitor.

The sheer size of this mighty flow dominates any discussion of dimensions, though. Measurements of its length vary, of course, given the above-mentioned debate over its exact starting point. Yet, even the most conservative of these placements put this at a mind-boggling 4,130 mi (6,650 km)!

Geographically, the river’s roughly divided by science into three relatively distinct sections. The Upper section contains such individually impressive features as Lake Victoria, Lake Albert. This section also holds still another product of natural geological formation known as the Sudd swamps.

Meanwhile, the portion named the Middle Nile contains such wonders as the aptly-named Cataracts of the Nile. These features comprise a series of six major rapids or waterfalls. Yet, this intermediate section also plays host to a confluence with the Atbara River, and the large desert regions.

Eventually, however, comes the portion of the river appropriately named the Lower Nile. This section contains the famous feature bearing the epithet of the Nile Delta. This structure represents one of the largest such in the entire world. It contains an astounding 150 mi (240 km) of coastline.

The Nile River further boasts an astonishingly wide range of other extraordinary characteristics. At its widest point, the marvel measures an incredible 1.7 mi (2.8 km) across. Despite this fact, however, it remains surprisingly shallow. Its average depth only ranges from 26 – 36 ft (8 – 11 m).

Nile River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The startling Nile River formed in a region of the globe already well known for its remarkable abundance of natural wonders. Given its fame and history, however, it’s likely most of you already know this location. Nature created this marvel as part of the beautiful continent of Africa.

More precisely, though, it mainly flows through the northeastern section of the greater landmass. Along its route, the flow passes through an amazing total of 11 countries. These include Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, and Egypt.

The full story of its formation stretches back many millions of years. The East African Rift System was key in this. The rifting process itself apparently began around 30 million years ago. That action created a series of valleys, lakes, and highlands that influenced the flow of rivers in the region.

Volcanic eruptions in the Ethiopian Highlands and surrounding areas also contributed to the topography. These powerful and devastating events did so by creating elevated regions that eventually became the source of tributaries of the remarkable flow of water as we know it today.

Science knows of two main tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The formation of Lake Victoria, roughly 400,000 years ago, played a key role in the development of the White Nile. The stunning lake’s a result of many tectonic movements and changes in the local drainage system.

However, the uplift of the Ethiopian Highlands, due to tectonic activity, created the conditions for the formation of the body of water known as Lake Tana. The lake, itself an amazing feature, which also serves as the source of the Blue Nile, formed from volcanic and erosional processes.

The ancient process doesn’t simply end there, though. The two source rivers eventually converge at the approximate location of the ancient city of Khartoum, Sudan. This confluence represents a result of the gradual integration of the drainage systems of the two tributaries over geological time.

Given the vast amounts of water it provides, the Nile River understandably supports a rich and highly diverse ecology that’s vital to the countries it flows through. The river’s ecosystem includes a wide range of habitats. Each of these often supports clearly distinct species of flora and fauna.

Riverine forests appear in a great many places. These settings host papyrus, reeds, and trees and shrubs adapted to wet conditions. Regions of wetlands also dominate certain areas, serving as home to some species. The Nile Delta remains a vast area of marshes, lagoons, and channels

Many species of both flora and fauna also depend on its waters for their continued survival. Vegetation common to some areas includes papyrus, reeds, and various trees and shrubs adapted to wet conditions. Grasses also thrive in the wetlands and marshes in found some local regions.

Over 100 recognized types of fish additionally live within the waters of the breathtaking Nile River itself. These amazing creatures include species such as the Nile perch, tilapia, and catfish. Numerous avian species thrive here too, including herons, egrets, ibises, pelicans, and waterfowl.

Hippos and Nile crocodiles remain among the most immediately notable large mammals in the river. Other mammals present also include otters and various species of bats and rodents. The river also supports numerous types of invertebrates, including insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Amazon River

Amazon River Facts

• Next up in this compendium of Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers, and ranked second in length, comes the stunning flow of water named the Amazon River.
• This utterly breathtaking creation of natural geological processes remains best known by the english language name that’ we’ve used herein. Yet, other native tongues obviously also hold their own version of this. Some of these include Río Amazonas and Amasone.
• This true marvel of the natural world stands out from others in several ways. In terms of discharge volume, it ranks as the largest river in the entire world. The river also shares the contested title of longest river system on earth with the Nile river, located in Africa.
• The timeline for when humans first arrived in its region is still a subject of somewhat heated debate among researchers and archaeologists. However, current evidence strongly suggests that humans have been present in the area for at least 11,000 to 13,000 years.
• Indigenous Peoples therefore clearly knew of its existence long before European explorers ever discovered the natual wonder. The annals of history credit that to the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana. He encountered it in 1541, while seeking lengendary El Dorado.
• Unfortunately, the mighty Amazon River also faces numerous challenges. These endanger both its accompanying ecosystem and the indigenous communities still dependent upon its resources. Ongoing climactic changes continue to alter the surrounding environment.
• Thankfully, some portions of its extensive length, at least, do enjoy a certain degree of protection. That’s because four sizeable protected areas currently exist. Two surrounding National Parks appear in Brazil, along with one each in the nations of Peru and Colombia.

Amazon River Physical Description

The stunningly beautiful Amazon River haunts the dreams and memories of those individuals fortunate enough to view this natural wonder. Yet, the marvel has so much to offer, different visitors always find themselves impressed with varying attributes of this creation of natural processes.

Chief among these natural qualities however, has to be its sheer size. It possesses a length measuring a staggering total of approximately 4,086 mi (6,575 km). Obviously, its width varies countless times along that great length, but at its widest, this reaches an astounding 6.8 mi (11 km).

The depth of this incredible waterway also varies significantly along its incredibly lengthy course. That’s influenced by factors such as rainfall, geography, and human activities. In some areas, the river can be relatively shallow, while in others, it sometimes reaches significant depths.

During the rainy season, the water level understandably rises, in fact, often appreciably. At these times, its waters often plunge as much as 100 ft (30 m) down, or more in the channels. In the dry season, though, this occasionally drops in certain locations to as shallow as an amazing 3 ft (0.9 m).

Given its sheer size, the Amazon River understandably boasts numerous mind-boggling statistics. Among those remains its astounding volume of flow. During the wet season, that’s estimated to be over 7 million cubic feet per second (cfs) or around 200,000 cubic meters per second (m³/s).

Nature further blessed this truly magnificent river with yet one more aspect to challenge anyone’s imagination. That’s the point at which the journey of the enormous flow comes to an end. The mouth of the river formed with an astonishing width of approximately 205 mi (330 km)!

Amazon River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The mesmerizing Amazon River formed in a portion of the globe that practically embodies the concept of natural beauty and wonder. The exact location of this feature therefore likely won’t surprise those few of you who don’t yet know it. It lies in a region of South America.

There, it resides in the general northern part of the landmass. Its course also takes it primarily from east to west, through several different countries. The majority of its extent runs through the territory of Brazil. Other sections, however, also extend through Colombia, Peru, and still others.

It’s virtually imposible to date the age of this body of water with any degree of accuracy. That’s due to the fact that it’s actually had different incarnations. Doubtless, many rivers in the region have existed over countless millions of years, all taking different shapes and paths in each case.

The formation of the Amazon River began with tectonic activity. The continent has undergone significant geological changes over millions of years due to slow yet inexorable plate tectonics. The awesome Amazon Basin, where the river is located, was shaped by this very same movement.

The uplift of the Andes began around 65 million years ago as a result of the collision between the South American Plate and the Nazca Plate. This monumental uplift created a topographical gradient, with the Andes acting as a barrier to moist air coming up from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Basin itself, situated to the east of the Andes, also receives abundant amounts of rainfall during the year. This, combined with the steep slopes of the peaks, leads to the erosion of rocks and the formation of numerous rivers and streams that eventually coalesce into the mighty flow.

Over geological time scales, the course of this masterpiece of Nature has likely further changed multiple times due to the still ongoing powerful tectonic movements, erosion, and sediment deposition. These changes shaped the landscape of the surrounding region in many ways.

The Amazon River supports and nourishes the surrounding Amazon Basin. That itself serves as home to an estimated 10% of the known species on earth! This includes countless species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, as well as a vast array of plant life.

The mighty flow itself supports a rich aquatic ecosystem. It’s home to thousands of species of fish, including iconic species like piranhas, electric eels, and various types of catfish. The river also supports populations of river dolphins, including the Amazon river dolphin, or boto.

Yangtze River

Yangtze River Facts

• Now appearing in this gathering of Earth’s Mightiest Rivers, and ranked third in length, is the astounding flow of water named the Yangtze River.
• This deceptively short term somewhat surprisngly serves as the most well known name for this remarkable creation of natural geological forces. It does have other titles by which it’s known, though. These include such tags as Chang Jiang, Jinsha Jiang, Da Jiang, and Yangzi Jiang.
• Each of these different monikers, along with still others by which it’s known, reflects different aspects or stretches of the mighty flow. All of them, though, in their own ways, highlight its importance in its region of the world, along with its highly diverse characteristics.
• Archaeological evidence indicates that this geolgoical wonder of Nature’s been known and used by man and his ancestors for at least 2 million years. Indeed, some of the earliest civilizations known to science arose along its banks, beginning roughly around 5000 BCE.
• The first known sighting of this stunning river by outsiders, however, did not occur until the late 13th century. That discovery occurred due to the explorations of the famous Venetian explorer, Marco Polo. He visited the breathtaking region sometime between 1270 – 1290.
• Today, the vital importance and sheer beauty of the amazing Yangtze River merit full appreciation by visitors. Accordingly, several protected areas now lie along its shores. This provides the wonder with at least some measure of protection from the depredations of man.

Yangtze River Physical Description

The truly astounding Yangtze River captivates those lucky enough to view its majesty for a wide range of reasons, to be certain. These marvels include its sheer beauty and incredible physical attributes. Just knowing where to begin herein, in fact, further presents a rather daunting task.

Of all its numerous impressive dimensions, however, perhaps its most astonishing remains its overall length. Though obviously irregular along its wending course, the total extent of its path measures approximately 3,917 mi (6,300 km). It thus ranks as the third-longest on earth.

Due to its great extent, this remarkable river’s considered by most experts to be roughly divided into three distinct regions. The Upper Reaches flow through many deep gorges and high mountains, including the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. The river here’s fast-flowing with many rapids.

The next section, though, understandably bears the name of the Middle Reaches. That particular portion begins near the city of Yichang, where the river enters the plains. This section of the natural marvel principally remain characterized by a slower flow, wider river valley, and many tributaries.

Not surprisingly, the final of the three sections holds the title of the Lower Reaches. This division of the river extends from Wuhan to its mouth. The abundant water flows through a remarkably broad, fertile plain. The wonder becomes even wider and deeper, accommodating large ships.

Along the way, however, the breathtaking Yantze River also contains a multitude of amazing individual features that merit appreciation in their own right. Any such listing of these includes multiple key features and landmarks, most of which formed naturally over vast stretches of time.

Situated at the top of most such listings, though, in the minds of many people, must be the site colloquially named the Three Gorges. Respectively, the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling gorges rank among the most famous scenic spots along the river, renowned for their dramatic and rugged beauty.

Dongting Lake, located on the southern bank of the middle reaches, also qualifies as one of the largest freshwater lakes in its area of the world. Poyang lake also appears here. Near the lower reaches, it’s another one of the highest volume lakes found anywhere in the entire country.

Yangtze River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The mind-boggling beauty of the flow of water best known as the Yangtze River formed in a region of the globe already well known for its incredible abundance of natural wonders. That’s because Nature and time created the river as part of the impressive continent now known as Asia.

More precisely, the entirety of its extensive flow lies within the national borders of the country of China. It extends from the Qinghai Province, located in the western portions of the land, and then flows generally eastward through several provinces, and later empties into the East China Sea.

Understanding the beginnings of this wonder takes great study, however. The original formation of this geological gem took place over the course of millions of years. That same creation also took place as a result of a highly complex interaction of geological and hydrological processes.

Its basin lies at the approximate edge of what geologists call the Eurasian Plate, where it’s been significantly influenced by the collision of the Indian Plate with that same Plate. This tectonic activity led to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, which plays a crucial role in the river’s formation.

Its course also eventually formed due to the inexorable uplift and erosion of the surrounding mountains and plateaus. The erosion over millions of years carved out deep valleys and gorges, particularly in the upper reaches of the river. Glaciation during the Ice Ages also played a role.

Over time, the mighty river carried vast amounts of sediment from the interior of China towards the East China Sea. This deposition helped shape the floodplains and deltas, particularly in the middle and lower reaches of the river. This action also formed many of the large lakes present.

The magnificent Yangtze River supports a rich and diverse ecosystem. Due to its extent, however, this divides into different regions. The Upper Reaches remain characterized by alpine vegetation, including hardy shrubs, grasses, and high-altitude plants adapted to cold, arid conditions.

Meanwhile, both the Middle and Lower Reaches support a wide variety of subtropical and temperate vegetation. These ecosystems include deciduous and evergreen forests, wetlands, and vast riparian zones. Important plant species include bamboo, lotus, and various aquatic plants.

Innumerable species of amazing fauna also abound within this beautiful region. Its flowing waters serve as home to over 400 fish species, many of which evolved as entirely endemic. Major species to be found include the Chinese paddlefish, Chinese sturgeon, and the Yangtze sturgeon.

The critically endangered Yangtze River dolphin, also known as the baiji, once formed a prominent species within its confines, but’s now considered functionally extinct. The aptly-named Yangtze finless porpoise also represents yet another key species that’s currently facing severe threats.

The area additionally provides a crucial habitat for many bird species. Notable avians include the Siberian crane, the Chinese merganser, and various species of ducks, geese, and herons. The Chinese alligator and various turtles, frogs, and salamanders also inhabit the expansive river basin.

Mississippi River

Mississippi River Facts

• Our next choice for inclusion in this listing of Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers ranks fourth in terms of its length, and bears the title of the Mississippi River.
• The magnificent creation of natural geological forces remains best known around the world by the slightly tongue-twisting title we’ve used here. But that’s just its english language name. Various local Indigenous Peoples knew the mighty flow by a variety of other titles.
• The Dakota knew it as Haha Wakpa, which roughly translates as river of the falls. The name by which the Choctaw and Chickasaw People knew it, however, was Occochappo, when translated. Meanwhile, the Ojibwe knew this amazing river by the term Messipi.
• Ironically, english language name for the marvel actually derives from an early French rendering of its title in the native tongue of yet another local tribe. In this particualr case, the Algonguin language used the moniker Misi-ziibi. That original term aptly meant Great River.
• Regardless of which of these titles, or still others, the river’s called, it easily stands out among other such features. The first known non-native to view this miracle of Nature bore the name of Hernando de Soto. Early records show the Spanish explorer spotted the river in 1542.
• The numerous Nations of Native Americans native to the region knew of it for untold centuries prior to this, though. Numerous archaeological discoveries prove this beyond doubt. They utilized and depended on its mighty waters for a great multitude of important reasons.
• Its length remains a matter of which standard one uses. That’s because, as is often the case when measuring the length of rivers, there’s the traditional source and the longest stream source. It’s using the latter, that makes the Mississippi River the fourth-longest on earth.

Mississippi River Physical Description

The aptly-named mighty Mississippi River holds an utterly special place of distinction in the hearts, minds, and unique culture of its region. Yet, while wholly deserved, its sheer beauty isn’t the only reason for that wide-reaching appreciation. That’s true since Nature clearly outdid itself here.

This flow also boasts some astounding physical characteristics. Perhaps chief among them, ranks its incredible length. From its immediate point of origin, the river measures an impressive 2,340 mi (3,766 km). Yet, its longest steam source equals a total distance of 3,710 mi (5,971 km).

Despite these mind-numbing statistics, however, it’s surprisiingly quite shallow in depth. At its starting point, it only measures 3 ft (0.9 m) deep! Over the course of its length, though, this naturally varies significantly. But at its deepest, the amazing river’s depth only reaches 200 ft (61 m).

It flows principally southward, and spawns numerous tributaries as it goes. Given this fact, its watersheds drain almost 65% of the country in which it lies. This provides it with another impressive statistic. Due to this situation, it ranks as the thirteenth largest river in terms of discharge.

The very nature of the breathtaking Mississippi River tends to roughly divide it into three distinct sections. These naturally bear the descriptove names of the Upper, Middle, and Lower. Interestingly, its course changed naturally several times throughout its long history due to geological factors.

Mississippi River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The mighty Mississippi River formed in a general region of the globe known throughout the world for its great abundance of geological marvels. In fact, that exact region will no doubt come as no surprise to many of you. That’s because it resides in a specific portion of North America.

There, its main body lies entirely within the confines of the United States. Given the vastness of its watershed, though, a tiny portion of that also appears within two provinces of Canada. The river itself comes to an end in the Mississippi River Delta, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico.

Evidence indicates that this majestic waterflow formed approximately 70 million years ago. Since then, it’s held many different forms and also flowed in various directions. Its current state largely occurred due to the powerful actions of the Laurentide Ice Sheet of the last ice age.

The melting of the vast quantities of water from this carved out anormous path through the rich sediment that had been deposited. Currently, the river’s base flow comes from Lake Itasca, in Minnesota. Other rivers also flow into it, from their origins, adding their waters to the body.

Not surprisingly, the beautiful Mississippi River additionally serves as home to an incredible array of fauna. A present total of 375 known species of fish actually appear within its confines. That includes such animals as sturgeon, gar, bass, crappie, catfish, northern pike, paddlefish, and walleye.

Many other animals also call its waters home, though. The American Alligator represents the largest of these, but many others join it. Another large reptile present, however, is the equally impressive Alligator Snapping Turtle. Crayfish, aquatic amphibians, and other turtles live there too.

Missouri River

Missouri River Facts

• Appearing in the fifth spot in this compilation of Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers, and thus by extension the fifth longest of the group, is the Missouri River.
• This majestic flow of water, created over eons of time, most frequently goes by the somewhat deceptive common name across the entirey of its area. This wonder does have a few other general titles, though. These tags include the colloquial terms Mighty Mo and Big Muddy.
• However, the beautiful river also holds still other names. These often reflect various historical, geographical, or cultural contexts. Though less known, these still exist within the native tongues of various populations of local Indigenous Peoples, who’ve long known of it.
• The Lakota People call it Mníšoše, which means “The Water of the Big River.” Meanwhile, in the original language of the Hidatsa People, this geological wonder bears the name “Horse River.” Both the Miami and Illinois tribes, though, referred to it as Peki-tan-oui.
• Archaeological evidence indicates that early humans likely first encountered this marvel of Nature somewhere between roughly 12,000-10,000 years ago. At the end of the last glacial period, large migrations took place, many apparently occuring along its winding path.
• European explorers did not discover the mighty flow until much later, however. The first documented sighting of it by a non-native took place in late June,1673. At that time, the well known French-Canadian explorering team of Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette sighted it.
• Today, the mighty Missouri River holds many distinctions. Among those comes the fact that it appears on the list of the seven great rivers of the world. It also stands out as the longest of all rivers in the nation in which it lies. Several areas along its length now enjoy special protection.

Missouri River Physical Description

The indescribably impressive Missouri River rarely fails to mesmerize those who view this marvelous work of Nature for the first time. Those who do, though, often find themselves hard-pressed to choose which trait most amazes them. That’s because it’s both beautiful and extensive.

Though certainly not the longest river found on the planet, it’s nonetheless lengthy enough to merit its own respect in this regard. The mighty flow extends for a measured length of approximately 2,341 mi (3,767 km). Along its passage, the wonder incredibly also flows roughly both east and south.

For purposes of clarification, most experts currently divide the river into three distinct regions. The first of these also understandably bears the fitting name of the Upper Missouri. This portion of the river begins in mountainous terrain, characterized by rugged landscapes and narrow valleys.

As it ponderously moves along, the moniker of the second division likewise follows the same pattern of naming. The Middle Missouri flows into the area of the nation called the Great Plains. As it does so, though, it broadens and meanders through wide valleys surrounded by prairies.

The final stretch of the fantastic river naturally holds the title of Lower Missouri. Here, the river flows into yet another of the seven great rivers of the world, the Mississippi River. Approaching that confluence, it passes through fertile agricultural regions and more developed areas.

The Missouri River also traverses a remarkable and highly diverse range of landscapes, including mountains, plains, and valleys. Its basin covers roughly 529,350 sq mi (1,371,000 sq km). This actually equals about one-sixth of the area of the continental part of the nation it resides in!

Historically, the river additionally carried an enormous amount of sediment, therefore earning it the nickname “Big Muddy.” However, the construction of several dams later reduced that. Despite these, its flow nevertheless still varies seasonally, being heavily influenced by snowmelt.

Missouri River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The amazing Missouri River formed in a region of the globe already well known for its impressive abundance of varied geological marvels. The exact location of this beautiful flow therefore likely won’t surprise many readers. Nature created it as part of what’s now North America.

Within that greater region, however, the entirety of its length actually lies completely within the national borders of the United States. Its admittedly rather circuitous course takes it from the approximate northwestern part of the country to slightly the eastern-central section of the country.

The awesome body of water originates in Montana. From there, it flows generally southeast, cutting through the central part of the nation. Along with that state, it passes through or along the borders of six others, including, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

The formation of this work of Nature occurred due to a powerful combination of both complex geological and hydrological processes. This formative process also took place over the passage of many millions of years. In fact, evidence indiactes it dates back to nearly 70 million years ago.

At that time, a large inland sea covered the area that it now claims. This shallow sea gradually retreated as tectonic activity raised the land. The uplift of the Rocky Mountains and other ranges also provided a source of sediment and created a gradient that influenced the direction of flow.

As the majestic mountains rose, though, erosion processes began to irresistably wear them down, with streams and rivers carrying sediments eastward. The eroded material from the Rockies and other areas contributed to the development of extensive alluvial plains and river systems.

During what scientists call the Pleistocene epoch, roughly 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, multiple glaciation events also played a significant role in shaping the landscape. Glaciers advanced and retreated over the region, carving out valleys and altering the flow patterns of rivers.

The melting of these provided a substantial amount of water, contributing to the river’s flow and helped define its current course. The modern course, however, established itself as the waters cut through the sedimentary plains. Its path additionally shifts over time due to natural processes.

This wonder supports a diverse and complex ecosystem that varies along its length, including a range of habitats from its headwaters to its confluence with the Mississippi River. Its ecology’s naturally shaped by factors such as climate, geology, hydrology, and even human activities.

In its upper reaches, the impressive river flows through numerous montane and riparian habitats, alike, all characterized by cold, clear water. This region further supports a broad variety of cold-water fish species, and the surrounding landscapes include many forests and alpine meadows.

Meanwhile, the middle section of the great Missouri River features large sandbars, islands, and braided channels, which are important for nesting birds and other wildlife. Some of these include the American white pelican, bald eagle, great blue heron, and various ducks and geese.

Near its confluence with the Mississippi River, though, it flows through a notably much more temperate region with a number of mixed deciduous forests, wetlands, and urbanized areas. Yet, it still hosts many other flora and fauna. A few examples include beaver, deer, muskrats, and otters.

Rio Grande River

Rio Grande River Facts

• Next up in this grouping of Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers comes the incredibly scenic Rio Grande River, obviously ranked as the sixth longest on earth.
• This short yet descriptive term currently serves as the most often employed title for this incredible creation of natural forces. Yet, the marvel does have several other general names. These include the very similar tags Rio Bravo and, appropriately, The Great River.
• Still other alternate monikers exist, as well. These include designations such as Rio Grande del Norte. Most typically used within formal and historical context, this one emphasizes its northern course. The term Rio Bravo Grande also exists, blending two of the appellations.
• The Great River, meanwhile, holds its own special place in history and culture. The flow represents an English translation of its name, sometimes used in literature or informal contexts. These tags reflect its history and the many different cultures that interacted with it.
• Ancient Indigenous Peoples long knew of its existence, of course. Archaeological evidence confirms their presence along its course as far back as around 10,800 BCE. Various tribes inhabited locations along its length at different times throughout history, in fact.
• In more modern times, though, the first confirmed sighting of it by outsiders only occurred in the year 1519. At that time, the famed Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, part of an expedition led by Pánfilo de Narváez, and his companions sighted the stunning marvel.
• Today, the stunning Rio Grande River earns fully deserved appreciation for its wonders. In its region, it holds the status of a National Wild and Scenic River. Sadly, however, it’s nevertheless highly vulnerable to the perils of human modification and still ongoing climate change.

Rio Grande River Physical Description

The magnificent Rio Grande River rarely fails to capture the interest and imagination of those who view this natural wonder. It generally impresses the viewer with its splendor and beauty. Indeed, it does so in a wide variety of ways, like many similar features found around the world.

For starters, though, its sheer length certainly qualifies as a point of interest for many. It easily ranks as one of the longest rivers on the continent in which it formed. Though it naturally follows a very winding course, it nevertheless stretches for an impressive length of 1,896 mi (3,051 km).

Overall, it follows a roughly southward path. The upper portions of its course flow through steep, narrow canyons and high desert terrain. As the remarkable river moves into other regions, however, it passes through more arid landscapes, including broad desert valleys and low-lying plains.

Its width also varies significantly, especially in diffferent sections. In the Upper Reaches, this ranges from a mere 30 – 100 ft (9.1 – 30 m). Along the Middle Course, though, this averages roughly 100 – 200 ft (30 – 61 m). And finally, the Lower Course averages about 200 – 500 ft (61 – 152 m) across.

Surprisingly, though, despite its width, the Rio Grande River remains relatively shallow. The Upper Reaches only average 2 – 10 ft (0.61 – 3 m) in this regard. The Middle Course just holds a mean depth of 10 – 20 ft (3 – 6.1 m). And lastly, the Lower Course only averages 10 – 30 ft ( 3- 9.1 m).

Even at its deepest point the river only measures about 60 ft (18.3 m) deep. Taken together, however, these various measurements provide the wonder with an impressive discharge rate. Although this naturally varies, of course, it averages a remarkable 2,403 cu ft/s (68 cu m/s).

Rio Grande River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The gorgeous Rio Grande River Formed in a region of the globe already well known for its extreme abundance of natural marvels. That region therefore likely won’t surprise many of you. That’s because the river formed as part of the equally beautiful continent of North America.

This breathtaking flow of water primarily moves through the United States. There, the river begins its journey in southern Colorado, and flows through New Mexico and into Texas. In the latter region, it also forms the natural border between the United States and the country of Mexico.

The formation of this marvel of Nature’s a direct result of complex geological processes that took place over millions of years. These processes involved tectonic activity, volcanic activity, and erosion, all of which strongly contributed to the river’s current course and characteristics.

The Rio Grande Rift is a major feature that played a crucial role in the formation of the river. The rifting began about 30 million years ago. As the crust stretched and thinned, large blocks of the Earth’s crust subsided, creating a series of basins that would eventually channel water flow.

Volcanic activity along the path of its flow also led to the formation of volcanic mountains and lava flows, which further influenced the mighty river’s path. Over time, the erosion of these volcanic and other surrounding materials by wind, water, and ice inexorably shaped the landscape.

Water from precipitation and melting snow began to flow through the valley, gradually forming a channel. The river initially flowed through a series of interconnected basins. Over time, these filled with sediments, and the river cut through them, creating a steady flow to the Gulf of Mexico.

It supports a diverse and complex ecosystem that varies significantly along its length, from its headwaters its mouth. The river also flows through several separate ecological regions, each with distinctly different plant and animal communities, and faces various environmental challenges.

Its upper regions begin in alpine and sub-alpine areas. Vegetation includes coniferous forests, with a wide variety of trees. It also supports species like the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, as well as various amphibians, birds like the bald eagle, and mammals such as mule deer and many black bears.

The Middle Section of the Rio Grande River contains more riparian zones and desert ecosystems. Here, flora includes species like cottonwood trees, mesquite, cresoste, and cactus. Fauna includes birds, beavers, coyotes, bobcats, and even reptiles like the western diamondback rattlesnake.

The Lower Section, however, contains notably more riparian woodlands and coastal ecosystems. Here, the region’s more characterized by dense riparian woodlands, marshes, and coastal plains near its mouth. At this point, some parts even hve an almost sub-tropical environment.

Mekong River

Mekong River Facts

• Closing out this article about Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers we present you with the emeral beauty known as the Mekong River, ranked as the seventh-longest on earth.
• This breathtaking creation of time and natural processes most frequently goes by the deceptively short title we’re using herein. Yet, it does have numerous other names. These, however, merely represent its name in the language of various countries through which it flows.
• These alternate monikers include such modified versions as Mae Nam Khong, Mènam Khong or Mekong, Mae Nam Khong, Sông Mê Kông or Cửu Long, in a few of these nations. In still others, though, it’s also known by such different tags as Lancang Jiang and Tonle Thom.
• Archaeological evidence also indicates that ancient man discovered this magnificent wonder long ago. Findings, such as tools and pottery, indicate that prehsitoric communities knew of and used the river, possibly as early as the Neolithic period, around 10,000 to 4,000 years ago.
• The local population of Indigenous Peoples therefore knew of and made use of this marvel of Nature for many thousands of years. Its discovery by outsiders, in this instance Europeans, though, did not occur until 1540. At that time, Portuguese explorer, Antonio de Faria, sighted it.
• Fortunately, several regions along the course of the remarkable Mekong River now enjoy protected status. Though these represent only a small portion of its total length, it nevertheless represents a recognition by various governments of the importance of this marvel of Nature.
• Its headwaters lie within the borders of the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve. Another section forms part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve also forms a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Mekong River Physical Description

The stunning Mekong River never fails to mesmerize those individuals fortunate enough to view this majestic work of natural art. Unlike some features, however, it does so for a wide variety of reasons. Its sheer size alone ranks high on any list of impressive qualities for most of its viewers.

In its entirety, the astounding flow takes a somewhat circuitous course that extends for approximately 2,703 mi (4,350 km). Despite this, along the way, the mighty river passes through a wide range of landscapes. For purposes of study, experts divide its length into three distinct regions.

Its first section, scientists assigned the appropriate name of the Upper Course. This segment of the body of water runs through an extremely rugged landscape. Here, its waters flow through deep gorges and rugged mountainous terrain. This frequently results in the creation of powerful rapids.

The next division’s named the Middle Course. This portion widens and meanders, forming vast floodplains and many islands. It’s also characterized by a mix of slow-moving sections and areas with strong currents, especially around Khone Falls, one of the highest volume waterfalls on earth.

Naturally, the final section holds the tag of the Lower Course. This section of the river slows down significantly. The river’s flow becomes more gentle and meandering, with wide, sweeping curves. In the process, though, this ends up creating the expansive and incredibly fertile Mekong Delta.

The delta of the Mekong River, itself a site that must be seen to be believed, represents yet another marvelous aspect of the river. This enormous natural formation comprises an extraordinary maze of distributaries, channels, and wetlands, covering an area of about 15,000 sq mi (39,000 sq km).

Mekong River Location, Formation, and Ecology

The captivating Mekong River formed in a region of the globe already well known for its incredible abundance of geological wonders. That location’s therefore not likely to surprise many people. That’s because Nature created this masterpiece as part of the beautiful continent of Asia.

More precisely, this river lies in the general southeastern portion of the landmass. Due to its extreme length, this marvelous flow additionally extends through an amazing total of six different countries. These include the nations of China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Its formation occurred as a result of tectonic activity and erosion over millions of years. That origin traces back to the Tibetan Plateau, which continues to be one of the highest and most geologically active regions in the world. The formation of the river also involved several key processes.

The natural headwaters for the river also lie within the above-mentioned region. That area formed by the inexorable collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This uplift created the appreciably high mountains and deep valleys that provide the starting point for the river’s flow.

Other factors play parts in its formation, as well. The numerous glaciers and snowfields in the region gradually melt, feeding the flow’s several upper tributaries. As the water flows downhill, it naturally erodes the land, carving valleys and channels of varying depths, which form its path.

Over time, however, still more components came into play in its creation and modification. Changes in elevation and tectonic shifts starongly influenced its flow pattern. This led to the river capturing other streams and tributaries, eventually increasing its volume and extending its course.

As the wonder of Nature travels through different terrains, it carries sediment from the mountains through the lowlands. This sediment eventually helps shape the extraordinarily fertile Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. There, though, it finally ends when it meets the South China Sea.

Its ecology remains incredibly diverse and unique, making it one of the world’s most biologically rich river systems. The flow also supports a wide range of ecosystems, from its high-altitude headwaters in the mountains to the tropical environments of its lower reaches and the Delta.

It also serves as home to more than 1,200 fish species, making it the second-most biodiverse river in terms of fish species, after the Amazon River. This includes rare and iconic species like the Mekong giant catfish, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, and the Irrawaddy dolphin.

The amazing Mekong River also supports even more amazing species. Its surrounding wetlands, forests and floodplains continue to be rich with diverse plant and animal species, including various reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals like the Asian elephant and the Indochinese tiger.

Many of the species in this river also evolved as highly migratory in nature, traveling long distances along the river for their spawning. Fish migration remains closely linked to the river’s seasonal flow patterns, particularly during the monsoon season when the river’s flow increases dramatically.

Its delta’s also one of the most productive agricultural regions in Southeast Asia. The nutrient-rich soil, formed by sediment deposition from the river, supports extensive rice cultivation. The delta’s wetlands and mangroves also form critical habitats for many species, including migratory birds.

Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers

We sincerely hope that each of you thoroughly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article we’ve written about Earth’s 7 Mightiest Rivers. It’s also our great hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such magnificent wonders of Nature.

Unfortunately, many other such features around the world now find themselves facing threats to their continued existence in an undamaged state. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the ongoing actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve them all.

Check out our other articles on 5 Geological Wonders of Australia, Fabulous Fungi Around the Globe, 5 Wonderful Mammals of Washington, Africa’s Many Geological Masterpieces