Often times referred to as the mother river of China, the Yellow River is considered as one of the longest rivers in the world.
It flows in the Bayankala Mountains of the Qinghai Province of Western China. In addition, the Yellow River is also called as the cradle of the Chinese civilization as its basin served as the birthplace of the Northern Chinese cultures.
For more than 2000 years, its basin became the center of Chinese culture, politics, and economy.
It was named as the Yellow River because of the massive volume of yellow loess sediment that it transports when passing across the Loess Plateau.
By the same token, the Yellow River also has the most excessive siltation among the world’s major rivers.
It also represented as the emblem of the Chinese spirit. More often than not, the sedimentation and its course alterations are sometimes referred to the bearing burdens and adaptation of the Chinese while its continuous flow is sometimes described to be perseverance of every individual.
Other than that, the river also inspired great artists and poets to be the best in their respective fields.
In fact, a lot of songs and poems have been written in dedication to the Yellow River.
Popular writings that were inspired by the Yellow River included “Ode to the Yellow River” and “Defend the Yellow River”.
In modern times, the Yellow River has served as an essential water resource for most of Northern China.
At around 1960s, more than 10 dams have been developed on the river to support the infrastructure development of Northern China. Furthermore, the Yellow River also assumed an irreplaceable role in agriculture and economic development.
Interesting Facts about the Yellow River
- The Yellow River is also known as China’s Sorrow. Prior to the installation of dams within the area, millions of Chinese have died in the Yellow River due to constant flooding.
- The silt deposits in the Yellow River are considered to be fertile. It also generates at least half of China’s cotton and wheat supply.
- Intensive water extraction, pollution, and hydropower are some of the indicative problems that are affecting the Yellow River.
- The Chinese Government estimates show that nearly two-thirds of the Yellow River is polluted. It is believed that approximately 30 percent of the fish species in the river are now extinct.
- In 1931, approximately one million people died due to a massive flood in the Yellow River.
- The Yellow River is divided into three distinctive flows or stages specifically the upper reach, the middle reach, and the lower reach.
- Over time, the Yellow River was not only used for agriculture but also as a transportation route and a shield from invaders.
- Confucius was born in the Tsou village of the Yellow River in the Province of Shandong.
How long is the Yellow River?
Estimates show that the Yellow River is approximately 3,398 miles in length. It stretches 1,180 miles from west to east and 684 miles from north to south.
Moreover, its basin area is also measured at 290,520 mi2 and contains about 77,000 mi2 of arable land and at least 100 million residents.
What is the average flow rate of the Yellow River?
The average flow rate of the Yellow River is 1,800 cubic meters per second with its biggest tributary being the Wei River.
What are the nicknames of the Yellow River?
The Yellow River had a multitude of nicknames. Among those include China’s Sorrow, Mother River of China, Cradle of Chinese Civilization, and Scourge of Han People.
How long was the longest dry period in the Yellow River?
The longest dry period in the Yellow River lasted for more than eight months in 1997.
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