This river, which is an important waterway 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, in deep gorges.
The article describes the largest river in Burma. After reading the article, you can find out information about where the Irrawaddy River flows, and what its features are.
Myanmar Overview
Burma (the old name of the country) is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. This is a state unfamiliar to many Russians, since it has been for a long time in forced isolation from the entire world civilization.
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. Adjacent to it are Laos, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and China. The southern and western coasts of the country with a length of about 2000 kilometers are 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.
The territory of the country of Myanmar is 677, 000 square kilometers. The population is 48 million people. Myanmar is a mainly mountainous country with a monsoon climate, with tropical and subtropical landscapes. It has been called Myanmar since 1989. In recent years, this small-sized exotic country has begun to attract the attention of more and more tourists, as it includes all the delights of traditional Asia.
River description
Irrawaddy is the largest river of the state of Myanmar. Its length is 2170 kilometers. It takes its beginning in 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, in colonial times, the river was called the "Road to Mandalay."
The name of this river from the Sanskrit word “airavati” is translated in different ways: “elephant river” or “stream, water stream”. 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 Irrawaddy River are Mu, Mogaun, Moon and Chinduin. Left tributaries - Maji, Shueli, Minge and Maji. Cities such as Pi, Myitkyina, Khintada, Mandalay are located on the river banks, and Yangon (the capital of the state), Basin and Bogale are located in the delta.
Where the Irrawaddy flows, not only a large number of elephants live, unique Irrawaddy dolphins and crocodiles live in its waters.
Relief
Crossing the country from north to south, this river divides it in two. Upper waters flow in a deep gorge, overcoming powerful rapids, and therefore shipping is impossible here. The valley of the Irrawaddy River below the city of Myitkyina is expanding, the width of its channel reaches 800 meters. Then it crosses the Shan Highlands (its western part), forming 3 gorges. At this point, 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 to 800 meters and crosses the vast 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 sediments.
A distinctive feature of the largest river in Myanmar, which is characteristic of many other large rivers, is its vast delta. It begins 300 kilometers from the confluence of the river into the Andaman Sea. The delta is represented by vast swamps and jungles, and is separated from the sea shore by sand dunes. In total, the river has 9 branches with incredibly muddy water flowing into the sea.
