Mekong River
Sign in to saveThe Mekong or Mekong River ( , ) is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia with an estimated length of and a drainage area of , discharging of water annually. From its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau, the river runs through Southwest China (where it is officially called the Lancang River), Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult, though the river remains a major trade ro
AI overview
The Mekong River is a major waterway in East and Southeast Asia that flows through six countries, from the Tibetan Plateau through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, making it the world's twelfth-longest river. Despite challenges like seasonal flooding and rapids that make navigation difficult, the river serves as an important trade route and supports the millions of people who depend on it across the region.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- River.name
- Mekong River
- River.image
- Mekong-River-Near-Luang-Prabang.jpg
- River.image_size
- 300px
- River.image_caption
- Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos
- River.map
- Mekong river basin.png
- River.map_size
- 300px
- River.map_caption
- Mekong River watershed
- River.pushpin_map_size
- 300px
- River.subdivision_type1
- Country
- River.discharge1_location
- Mekong Delta, South China Sea
- River.source1
- Lasaigongma () Spring
- River.source1_location
- Mt. Guozongmucha (), Zadoi, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai
Article
22 sectionsContents
- Names
- Etymology of the Mekong River
- Linguistic Origins
- Course
- Drainage basin
- Upper basin
- Lower basin
- Water flow along its course
- Geology
- History
- Natural history
- Protected areas
- Natural phenomena
- Fisheries
- Dams{{anchor|River_modifications}}
- Navigation
- Bridges
- Environmental issues
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
The Mekong or Mekong River ( , ) is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia with an estimated length of and a drainage area of , discharging of water annually. From its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau, the river runs through Southwest China (where it is officially called the Lancang River), Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult, though the river remains a major trade route between Tibet and Southeast Asia. The construction of hydroelectric dams along the Mekong in the 2000s through the 2020s has caused serious problems for the river's ecosystem, including the exacerbation of drought.
==Names==