This river, which is an important water artery of the state of Myanmar, crosses its entire territory from north to south. Its upper reaches and tributaries have rapids, and they carry their waters among the jungle, through deep gorges.
The article provides a description of the largest river in Burma. After reading the article, you can find out information about where the Ayeyarwaddy River flows and what its features are.
General information about Myanmar
Burma (the old name of the country) is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. This is a state unfamiliar to many Russians, as it has been in forced isolation from the entire world civilization for a long time.
Today the situation has changed for the better. The country is open to tourists from all over the world. The location of the state is the western part of the Indochina peninsula. It is adjacent to Laos, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and China. The southern and western coast of the country's territory with a length of about 2000 kilometers is washed by the waters of two bays - Moutam and Begalsky. It also borders on the waters of the Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean.
Country areaMyanmar is 677,000 square kilometers. The population is 48 million people. Myanmar is a predominantly mountainous country with a monsoonal climate and tropical and subtropical landscapes. It has been called Myanmar since 1989. In recent years, this small exotic country has begun to attract the attention of more and more tourists, as it includes all the charms of traditional Asia.
Description of the river
The Irrawaddy is the largest river in Myanmar. Its length is 2170 kilometers. It originates in the state of Kachin, at the confluence of two rivers: Mali and Nmai. The latter carry their waters from the spurs of the Himalayas (from the southeast) parallel to each other. Before the advent of cars and trains, during colonial times, the river was called the "Road to Mandalay".
The name of this river from the Sanskrit word "airavati" is translated differently: "elephant river" or "current, water flow". Both interpretations are suitable for this reservoir: the river is full-flowing and wide, and there are many elephants on its banks.
The main right tributaries of the Ayeyarwaddy River are the Mu, Mogaun, Mone and Chindwin. The left tributaries are Madzhi, Shueli, Myinge and Madzhi. On the banks of the river there are cities such as Pyi, Myitkyina, Hintada, Mandalay, and in the delta - Yangon (the capital of the state), Basin and Bogale.
Where the Ayeyarwaddy flows, not only a large number of elephants live, unique Ayeyarwady dolphins and crocodiles live in its waters.
Relief
Crossing the country from north to south, this river divides it in two. The waters of the upper reaches flow in a deep gorge, overcoming powerful rapids, in connection with which navigation is impossible here. The valley of the Irrawaddy River below the city of Myitkyina is expanding, the width of its channel reaches 800 meters. Further, it crosses the Shan Highlands (its western part), forming 3 gorges. In this place, the width of the channel is 50-100 meters, and in some places there are whirlpools that are dangerous for navigation.
The river gradually expands up to 800 meters and crosses the spacious Irrawaddy plain in the middle and lower reaches, thereby forming a wide valley with stepped terraces. The valley is a typical intermountain trough, composed of ancient marine deposits.
A distinctive feature of the largest river in Myanmar, which is typical of many other large rivers, is a vast delta. It begins 300 kilometers from the place where the river flows into the Andaman Sea. The delta is represented by extensive swamps and jungles, and is separated from the sea coast by sand dunes. In total, the river has 9 branches with incredibly muddy water flowing into the sea.
Tide features
In the delta of the Ayeyarwaddy River (in the lower reaches), there are quite high tides. Near the city of Yangon, their height sometimes reaches 4.5 meters. These straits are so strong that they cover the entire expanse of a vast delta, and they are visible at a distance of 120 kilometers from the sea.
Due to the prevailing low-lying nature of the area, floods often occur here, quite catastrophic in consequences. Such natural phenomena explain that the delta region is home to approximately 30% of the population of all of Myanmar and produces 70% of the total rice in the country. Houses are carried away by rivers, and fields are flooded with water.
The river is navigable all year round from Banmo City to its mouth. Rice, jute, sugar cane, tobacco, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, citrus fruits, bananas, mangoes, pineapples are grown in the delta.
