Rivers are the lifelines of civilization. They have been since ancient times. While some are small others are huge. So huge that standing on one bank you can’t see the other. While some are deep enough to float big ships, some are even deeper than that. Due to their size and water carrying capacity, they are even compared to seas. Read on to find out about the 10 deepest rivers in the world.
Deepest Rivers In The World
1. Congo River (720 ft)
This is the deepest river in the world. This river is also counted among the top 10 longest rivers in the world. Another record this river holds is that it counts among the largest by the water carrying capacity. The river basin is among the most well-fed and water-rich regions in the world. The river flows mostly through the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The river is not frequented by big boats because there’s a fall at the lower stages of the river that disconnects it from the ocean. The banks of the river are a pleasing place to spend evenings on although, not all places are for tourism unless you don’t mind crocodiles eating you.
2. Yangtze River (656 ft)
Counted among the longest rivers in both Asia and worldwide. Officially called the Chang Jiang. The sights when going along the river are breathtaking. The stretches with mountains on both sides are a mesmerizing sight at any time of the day.
The Yangtze has been an important river for the Chinese civilization since ancient times, providing water for agriculture, and the massive cities that sprung up on its banks and good means of transport from the sea to the interior. The delta of this river is heavily populated and one of the most industrialized and rich places on the planet.
3. Danube River (584 ft)
Originating in Germany, the Danube flows eastward to the Black Sea. The river’s basin spreads across south-eastern Europe. Many important European cities are settled along its banks like Vienna and Budapest. Being so deep, ocean carriers can easily navigate the river through very long distances and the river transports amount to millions of dollars in GDP of countries. The Danube basin has many ancient archaeological sites and was the site of early human settlements in Europe.
4. Zambezi River (381 ft)
The Zambezi River originates in the highlands near the border of Zambia, DR Congo, and Angola. The river changes directions almost three times to flow into the Indian Ocean. The river is the main source of hydroelectric power in the region although its potential stays largely untapped. The Victoria falls are the main sightseeing location along the river and are renowned among the widest falls in the world. The tigerfish, which can eat human flesh is also found in the waters of this river. It is said to be as dangerous as a piranha fish, if not more.
Image Source: Carine06
5. Amazon River (328 ft)
The famous river from the tropical jungles of the Amazon. The amazon, apart from the amount of water, its sheer also counts among the deepest in the world. The amazon basin holds countless exotic animals, and it wouldn’t be unreal to say thousands of unrecorded species. There are no major dams on the main river, but many have been constructed on its tributaries.
The mighty amazon river covers most of the parts of the continent. Before the arrival of Europeans, many indigenous people lived along the river and its tributaries but all vanished in a few decades. The few remaining holds the knowledge of the flora and fauna and the land and its ways learned in their history of thousands of years.
6. Mekong River (328 ft)
This river flows through southeast Asia into the South China Sea. The river has a muddy yellow color because of the silt carried by the river. The river is massive in terms of water carried its length and its depth. Due to these reasons, the Mekong is a major transportation route for goods traveling from southern China into Southeast Asia. The river passes through the hilly regions that make many beautiful landscapes as one cruises across the river. The river is one of the most important for the downstream countries and the source of livelihood for the people living here.
7. Yellow River (262 ft)
Another river from China is on this list. This river flows across a very diverse landscape. The river has a muddy color and that’s why the name. The silt carried by the river gives it the color and is also one of the reasons why it’s called the ‘sorrow of China’. This silt actually deposits along the bed forming a submerged dam. As it grows bigger, when the water breaches the banks, massive flooding occurs.
In modern times hundreds of dams have been constructed to avoid excessive flooding. Nonetheless, a river cruise on the course of the river is sure to give some spectacular sights. Big cities, plains, and mountains you can see all that from the river. It is one of the deepest rivers in the world.
8. St. Lawrence River (250 ft)
Flowing in northeast America, this river is a primary transportation route to the interior of North America. The river has been since ancient times an important route for the indigenous people who know many different names and many people living along its banks. The early European settlers too took this river as a means of exploring the new continent. The river is also the home of many whales and was the location of many whale hunting expeditions too. Many of these whales have now become endangered due to overexploitation among many other reasons.
9. Hudson River (216 ft)
This beautiful river flows in the northeast USA and drains into the ocean where New York city is located. The river is deep enough to allow streamers and cargo boats to sail both upstream and downstream. The river is polluted by toxic chemicals PCBs although there have been some signs of recovery in recent times. The mouth of the river is an estuary formed around 10 thousand years ago and water and its waters are a mix of salt and fresh water.
10. Mississippi River (200 ft)
This river also counts among the top ten by the length. The Mississippi River drains a vast part of the USA and carries huge amounts of water. The Mississippi River and its delta are popular among tourists. Many river cruises sail along the river which gives beautiful views of the river. The river largely flows through plains and many important cities have developed on its banks like New Orleans, where the greatest depth is found, Memphis, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
These are the deepest rivers in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.
