{"id":15529,"date":"2023-12-10T11:25:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T10:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=15529"},"modified":"2023-12-10T11:25:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T10:25:11","slug":"where-is-the-yangtze-river-on-the-world-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/where-is-the-yangtze-river-on-the-world-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Is The Yangtze River On The World Map"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Origin of the Yangtze River<\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River, also known as the Chang Jiang, is the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world. Rising from the Tanggula Mountain Range in western China, the Yangtze (originally known by Chinese as ‘Yangtze Kiang’ 揚子江) flows for a total of 6,300 kilometers, crossing provinces such as Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shanghai, before emptying into the East China Sea. It is the primary water source of two thirds of China’s population, and an essential avenue of transportation and trade, with a rich history of human usage that stretches back to prehistoric times. <\/p>\n

Yangtze River on the World Map<\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River is located in east-central China, beginning on the Tibetan Plateau in the province of Qinghai and flowing east through Sichuan, Hubei, and Anhui before reaching its end in the East China Sea. On any world map, the Yangtze will be the major body of water in the middle of the Chinese mainland, traversing much of the country’s interior and draining many of its most populous and rural areas before emptying into the sea. Major cities located along the river include Shanghai, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Chongqing — the latter of which is known as the largest urban area in the world. Depending on the map’s scale, the entire Yangtze River may not be visible, but it will be clearly evident by the major cities located along its course. Moreover, the river is marked by vast residential and industrial cities along with by dams and waterways all indicative of human influence and engineering. <\/p>\n

Significance and Economic Power of the Yangtze River<\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River is a major source of life and trade in China, with an estimated 400 million people residing in the areas surrounding it. It is the main highway of transportation and trade between the remote areas of the interior, as well as connecting China’s many economic zones to the outer world. It is also a major source of hydroelectric energy and other resources like fish, minerals, and construction materials. Additionally, the Yangtze also supports many forms of traditional transportation, like the bamboo raft, a mode of transport whose origins date back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. Not only does the Yangtze provide for those living along its shores, its waterways also support a wide variety of native and non-native plant and animal species. <\/p>\n

Environmental Issues in the Yangtze River<\/h2>\n

Despite the economic benefits of the Yangtze River, it has been increasingly plagued by environmental issues that threaten its future. As the world’s third-longest river, it has been exposed to tremendous levels of pollution and degradation that lead to a variety of negative effects. Pollution of the Yangtze has been caused by industry, agriculture, and domestic sewage runoff that contribute to toxic algal blooms, declining water quality, and a rise of invasive species. In addition, a number of dams constructed on the river have drastically altered the river’s flow and aquatic life, hindering the migration of various fish and animal species, while creating a number of new environmental issues. The Yangtze has also provided livelihood and refuge to people in China for centuries, with wetlands and shorelines constantly providing vital economic and social benefits to the people around it. Decreasing pollution and restoring the Yangtze to its previous state has thus become an urgent priority for conservationists and government officials alike, with a number of projects and programs initiated to protect, clean, and restore the vital river. <\/p>\n

Impact of Climate Change on the Yangtze River<\/h2>\n