Yangtze in China – A Brief Overview
The Yangtze River, also known as Chang Jiang, is the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world. It runs across the East China Plain and is an important river for the country’s economy and culture. It is also the landmark of one of the most densely populated regions in the world, which is home to hundreds of millions of people.
The Yangtze River starts in the historic northern city of Yibin, located at the junction of the Min River and the Dadu River, and then turns south, flowing south-east through the provinces of Sichuan, the Hubei province and then the Anhui province before it meets the East China Sea at the city of Shanghai.
The Yangtze basin covers an area of approximately 1.72 million square kilometers, stretching from the Tibetan Plateau in the west to the Yellow Sea in the east and emptying into the East China Sea, an area which is larger than any other river basin on the planet.
The river has an average discharge volume of nearly 475,000 cubic metre per second, making it one of the largest and most powerful rivers in the world, and this discharge volume increases by an astonishing 40 times in the summer due to heavy rainfall.
This river holds immense significance for China and the Chinese culture, being featured in countless poems, paintings and stories, due to its breathtaking scenes and the amazing wildlife along its banks.
The serpentine Yangtze is also home to a variety of endemic fish species and other aquatic life, including the Chinese sturgeon, the Chinese softshell turtle, the Chinese giant salamander, and the Chinese paddlefish, which have been affected by pollution and sedimentation from many of the factories and cities along its route.
Which number on the map shows the Yangtze river?
The Yangtze is usually represented on a map with the number 3, marking its position as the third longest river in the world. Other maps will not always feature the Yangtze, since it is only found in China, which is a much smaller country in terms of land mass than some of the others featured on most world maps.
Typically, when a map of China is drawn, the Yangtze is usually a semicircle going from northwest to southeast, or from east to west in the case of southern Chinese provinces. A typical map of the country may also include the entire major rivers in order of their length; the river’s name is usually printed next to the representative numeral.
The river serves as a major way for transportation in modern China, with over 50 important ports being situated along its course. Despite being labeled as Number 3, it is by far the most populated river on the planet with over 400 million people living in its watershed.
Certain parts of the river are explored and photographed often, being known for its stunning beauty. The Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest dam built on the Yangtze River, is located in the Hubei province and has become a major tourist attraction.
The Yangtze River basin contains many major economic hubs such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Chongqing, which are all located towards the middle-to-lower parts of the river.
Effects on the Environment and Local Wildlife
The Yangtze River has a negative effect on the environment and the local wildlife, due to its heavy industrial activity, pollution and over-fishing. The river’s pollution is a major issue, with the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the basin causing a large-scale increase in water quality deterioration.
Due to over-fishing, the Yangtze river has seen numerous species become threatened, such as the Chinese sturgeon, not to mention the irreparable damage caused by the Three Gorges Dam, which has created a massive artificial barrier, blocking the natural migration of species across the river.
The river also serves as a major source of drinking water for many mammals, including the Chinese river dolphin, which is now extinct and has been officially declared so due to the innumerable man-made issues in the area.
In the interest of restoring the river’s environmental condition, the Chinese government have taken numerous steps, such as reducing the amount of pollutants released into the Yangtze, conducting regular river cleanups and environmental monitoring, and transferring industrial activities away from the river.
Various organizations are also actively working to restore the river, such as the World Wildlife Fund, who have made a commitment to protect some of the most threatened species, educate local fishers on sustainable fishing practices, and provide financial assistance for projects to restore the river’s environment.
Role of Tourism and Local Economy
Tourism is one of the main contributors to the local economy of the Yangtze basin and it gives people from all over the world the chance to experience the beauty of the area first-hand, as well as learn about its history and culture.
Various attractions are available for tourists to explore, such as the beautiful Three Gorges Dam, the dramatic Five Dragon Falls, the picturesque Three Little Gorges and the stunning Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Other activities such as cruising in rustic houseboats, shopping in local markets and taking a tour of the main cities are available for visitors to enjoy and they also help contribute to the local economy.
In addition to all of these attractions, the Yangtze river basin is also home to many national parks and reserves, which protect the local wildlife and provide visitors with an opportunity to explore some of the area’s most stunning landscapes.
For instance, White Water National Park, located on the border of Fujian and Guangdong provinces, is a magnificent natural reserve with a pristine landscape, abundant animal life and a number of beautiful temples and pagodas located within its boundaries.
How do people benefit from the Yangtze?
The Yangtze river provides numerous benefits to people living in the area, ranging from providing clean drinking water, transportation and other related resources.
Much of the area is suffering from water shortages due to the large-scale industrial activities and urban development along the river, with the local population relying on its waters for minimum water standards. Long stretches of the river are also used for transportation and the river’s large network of canals allow navigation to remote locations.
Apart from providing clean drinking water, the Yangtze also provides irrigation to croplands, making it invaluable to the local population who rely on the river for their food and livelihoods.
In addition to this, the river also serves as a main source of hydropower for many of the population centers along its banks. The Three Gorges Dam alone has generated a large portion of the electricity used in eastern China and the surrounding area.
Finally, the many nature reserves and parks located along the river are wonderful areas of leisure for visitors and locals alike, providing a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the densely populated cities of the region.
Impact of Pollution on Local Population
Urban and industrial pollution along the Yangtze river basin have a major effect on the health and well-being of the local population, particularly on the children. The untreated industrial waste from the upstream factories has been polluting the river for a long time, resulting in the contamination of its water and its resources.
The government has taken several steps to reduce and control the pollution of the river, such as the imposition of stricter standards for industrial waste management, the introduction of tougher fines for violators, the use of advanced sewage treatment techniques and the construction of pollution-reducing infrastructure.
In spite of all these efforts, the Yangtze remains heavily polluted in places, with the residents of the cities on the banks of the river being exposed to high levels of toxic substances, as well as diseases such as skin cancer, asthma, and respiratory and cardiac diseases.
Moreover, the presence of pollutants in the water causes a decrease in the fishing yields, jeopardizing the living standards of fishermen and the overall food security of the region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear the Yangtze River is an important geographic and economic feature in China, providing many benefits for the local population. Despite its many benefits, the river also poses a number of threats to human health and the ecology of the basin due to pollution, over-fishing and industrial activities.
It is important that the Chinese government, organizations, and people around the world take steps to protect the Yangtze and its precious resources, so that this majestic river can remain a source of income, recreational activities, and inspiration for many generations to come.
