Yangtze River Geography: Asia's Longest River Profile

Basic Geography

• Length: 6,300 km (3,915 mi) - 3rd longest globally, longest in Asia
• Source: Tibetan Plateau glaciers in Qinghai Province
• Mouth: East China Sea at Yangtze Delta near Shanghai
• Basin: 1.8 million km² - largest in China, 5th globally

Key Features

Major Tributaries

Jialing, Min, Han, and Wu Rivers—draining diverse landscapes from Sichuan Basin to Jianghan Plain.

Three Gorges Dam

World's largest hydroelectric dam (22.5 GW capacity), creating a 660km reservoir. Controversial for displacement (1.3M people) and ecological impacts.

Navigation

Major transport artery with locks and channels enabling ocean-going vessels to reach Wuhan (1,000km inland).

Floodplain Dynamics

Extensive floodplain prone to seasonal flooding. Historical floods (1931, 1954, 1998) caused massive casualties. Dams now regulate flow.

Biodiversity

Endemic species: Yangtze sturgeon, Chinese alligator, finless porpoise (critically endangered). Giant panda habitat in upper basin.

Economic Vitality

Supports 400+ million people. Provides irrigation, industry, transport, hydropower, and tourism. Yangtze Delta is China's economic powerhouse.