Overview
The Yangtze, known in Chinese as Chang Jiang or "Long River," is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, stretching approximately 6,300 kilometers. It rises on the Tibetan Plateau and flows eastward across central China before emptying into the East China Sea near Shanghai.
Geography and Physical Features
The Yangtze passes through diverse landscapes including the Tibetan highlands, the Three Gorges canyon region, and the flat fertile plains of central and eastern China. Its drainage basin spans about 1.8 million square kilometers, covering nearly one-fifth of China's land area. Major tributaries include the Han, Jialing, and Min Rivers.
Significance
The Yangtze River basin is home to more than 400 million people, roughly a third of China's population, and produces about 40 percent of the country's GDP. The river has played a central role in Chinese civilization for thousands of years, serving as a transportation corridor, a source of irrigation, and a cultural symbol.
Notable Facts
The Three Gorges Dam, completed in 2006, is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world by installed capacity. The endangered Chinese alligator and the now-functionally-extinct baiji dolphin are native to the Yangtze. The river drops about 5,000 meters in elevation from source to mouth.