The Yangtze River
The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world and the longest river in China. It has a length of nearly 6,300 km and runs from western to eastern China, through some of the country’s most populous areas. It serves as an important transport route for both goods and people, and it is an important commercial harbour for dozens of cities. The Yangtze River flows through nine provinces and two municipalities. Its drainage basin is home to over a third of China’s population.
The source of the Yangtze River is at Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The river eventually reaches the East China Sea at the city of Shanghai. It cuts through several mountain ranges, including the Sichuan Basin and the Hengduan Mountains – also known as the Southern Mountains or the Four Rivers.
The Yangtze River is located in the continent of Asia. It is China’s longest river, and its upper reaches provide almost two-thirds of the country’s water supply. It is the third-longest river in the world, following the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. The river has been an important part of Chinese culture for centuries, and many cities along its banks represent a major gateway to Chinese culture and history.
Economic Importance of the Yangtze River
The Yangtze River is an important economic resource for China. It plays a role in the agricultural, manufacturing, shipping and tourism industries. Fishing is another major industry that has been developed along the banks of the Yangtze River. It provides a direct link between several major coastal cities, making it an important maritime trade route. It also serves as a source of fresh water for drinking, agricultural, and hydraulic projects, including the Three Gorges Dam.
The Yangtze River has been a source of great economic growth and development in China since the 20th century. In the early 1900s, massive engineering projects were constructed along the Yangtze River to regulate the flow of water and to improve navigation. These projects, along with the construction of a large railway network in the Yangtze valley, allowed vast economic opportunities to develop in the region.
Environmental Impact of the Yangtze River
The Yangtze River has had many environmental impacts in the past century. It has been the site of numerous industrial projects and pollution sources, including the Three Gorges Dam. Pollutants such as sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff have been released into the Yangtze River, negatively affecting local marine life and the people who rely on the river for their livelihood.
The Yangtze River is home to the critically endangered Chinese alligator, and it is believed that there are only around 1,000 left in existence. Pollution from industrial and agricultural sources has put added pressure on the species, with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimating that this species could face complete extinction within 50 years.
Government officials have made attempts to protect the environmental health of the Yangtze River in recent years. In September 2005, the Chinese government launched a 10-year cleanup plan, which included using new technology to treat pollutants emitted from industries directly into the river.
Plans to Protect Yangtze River
China has implemented a series of ambitious plans to protect the Yangtze River. In 2006, the Chinese government announced a ‘Clean Yangtze River’ campaign that was aimed at reducing pollution in the river. This included plans to build dozens of waste-treatment facilities to reduce the amount of industrial and agricultural runoff in the Yangtze River.
In order to protect wildlife in the river, the Chinese government launched a five-year conservation plan in 2007. This plan included the creation of 59 protected areas, which covered 57% of the Yangtze River’s length and 67% of its watershed. As part of this plan, the government also created a national reserve to protect the critically endangered Chinese alligator.
In 2009, the Chinese government passed the Yangtze River Protection Law, which mandated the cleaning up of 30 tributaries and lakes, and the restoration of the river’s water quality. This law also mandated that all municipal and industrial waste be treated before being discharged into the river.
Conclusion of the Yangtze River
The Yangtze River is an important river in China and the world, and has been a source of great economic growth and development in China since the 20th century. Although it has been the site of numerous industrial projects and pollution sources, the Chinese government has implemented a series of ambitious plans to protect the Yangtze River and its wildlife.
