Euphrates River Size report
The Euphrates River is the most famous and important in the Middle East. It originates in the mountainous areas of the Anatolian Plateau and Armenia Plateau in Turkey and flows through Syria and Iraq; Finally, it meets with the Tigris River to become the Shatt al-Arab River, which flows into the Persian Gulf, the largest river in Southwest Asia. Together with the Tigris River, they define Mesopotamia.
The Euphrates River is the birthplace of ancient culture in southern Mesopotamia, and its basin area is also the earliest birthplace of human civilization. The world's earliest civilization, the Mesopotamian civilization, was born on this land. In 4000 BC, cuneiform writing appeared here.
The Euphrates is a transnational river. Turkey, in the upper reaches of the river, and Syria, in the lower reaches of the Euphrates, have been in disputes for decades over the development of the river's water resources, and the bilateral relations between the two countries have been greatly affected. Let's learn more about the size and geographical features of this large river.
Size and Description of Euphrates River
The Euphrates River originates from the Netoros Mountains in the Anatolian Plateau in eastern Turkey and relies on rain and snow for supply. The source is called the Karasu River, and after it flows westward to the north to join the Murat River, it is called the Euphrates River. After that, it twists and flows southward, flowing through Syria and Iraq; the lower reaches merge with the Tigris River to form the Shatt al-Arab River, which flows into the Persian Gulf.
- The upper Euphrates begins with two main tributaries: the Kara Su River north and the Murat River east. From this poster, the Euphrates River zigzags between tall mountains, converging on a plateau of nearly 3,000 meters.
- The middle reaches of the Euphrates, from the Turkish Samsat on the Syrian plateau to Hit in the Iraqi lowlands, is nearly 1,500 kilometers long.
- The lower reaches of the Euphrates widened over the Iraqi plains, with the reduced and slower flow. The climate in the region is dry, and river water is lost in large quantities due to evaporation from the river surface and floodplain, as well as irrigation. From Hit to Musayyib (Al-Musayyib) has no tributary of the impermanent river.
- The mouth is the Shatt al-Arab; the delta plain has large areas of sediment with poor drainage and a large number of braids. Swamps and permanent shallow lakes formed, absorbing the considerable flow of the Euphrates and changing it with the seasons.
Length And Area of Euphrates River
The Euphrates River is the longest in southwest Asia; it is about 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) long and with a drainage area of about 673,000 square kilometers, of which 33% in Turkey, 19% in Syria, and 46% in Iraq. It is one of the two main constituents of the Tigris-Euphrates river system.
Quick Facts | |
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Length | About 2,800 km (1,700 mi) |
Basin Area | About 673,000 sq km |
Mouth | Shatt al-Arab |
Hydrology And Water Resource
The Euphrates River is mainly supplied by alpine snowmelt and rainfall in the mountains, and its water volume is relatively abundant. However, the flow in the middle and lower reaches plummeted due to evaporation, seepage, and a large amount of agricultural irrigation water and domestic water along the way.
After the Euphrates River entered the plains near Hitt in Iraq, which formed the important Iraqi irrigated agricultural areas along the riverbanks. The Euphrates' irregular annual and seasonal runoff makes flood control and establishing suitable irrigation facilities difficult, especially in Iraq. Over the centuries, especially in modern times, the two governments have successively built many embankments, reservoirs, dams, weirs, canals, and other drainage facilities.
Conclusion
The Euphrates is the largest river in West Asia, and ancient humans thrived in this basin. In the Bible, the Perath and the great river are repeatedly mentioned, referring to the Euphrates River; the Euphrates is also called the fourth river flowing out of the Garden of Eden. The Euphrates River provides indispensable agricultural and industrial water resources for Turkey and Syria, which are relatively water-scarce. The riverbed drop in Turkey is the largest, which is suitable for building dams for power generation; the hydroelectric power generation conditions in the Syrian river are second; the Iraqi river is more suitable for irrigation, water intake, and navigation.