{"id":15315,"date":"2024-03-10T04:50:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-10T03:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=15315"},"modified":"2024-03-10T04:50:27","modified_gmt":"2024-03-10T03:50:27","slug":"what-are-some-facts-about-the-yangtze-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-are-some-facts-about-the-yangtze-river\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Some Facts About The Yangtze River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background of the Yangtze River <\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River, or Yangzi, is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world. Flowing from west China, over 6,300 kilometers in length, into the East China Sea, it has been an essential artery of transportation and commerce in China for over 2,000 years. <\/p>\n

The river is divided into three stages – the upper part, middle, and lower part – each with unique terrain and climate. Its headwaters begin high in the glacier-covered mountains of western China, plunging down the eastern plateaus as it makes its way eastward. Along the middle part of the river, it flows through the much-photographed Three Gorges, a dramatic mountain canyon area necessary for navigation and flood control. The mainstream Yangtze meets up with the much shorter Daning and Han rivers before emptying into the East China Sea. <\/p>\n

A Source of Nutrients for China <\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River is a major provider of water and nutrients to China, playing a significant role in the country’s food production. Over hundreds of years, China has developed a complex irrigation system, tapping into the river to transport water to the vast farmlands that line its banks. In addition to providing vital water and fertilizer, the Yangtze’s high sediment content also increases the fertility of the soil, ensuring dependable crop production for many of China’s citizens. <\/p>\n

The river’s vital importance to food production has only grown with time. As the population of China continues to rise, food production has similarly had to increase, placing even more reliance on the Yangtze and its resources. <\/p>\n

Dam Construction Projects <\/h2>\n