The name of large water bodies in China. China's two main rivers

Territory China, stretching from east to west for 5,700 km, and north to south for 3,650 km, is 9.6 million km 2 (the third largest in the world after Russia and Canada). Such a vast (but compact!) territory led to the presence of borders with many countries. Some of them pass through the highlands and therefore are not very accessible, while others, although they stretch mostly through the mountains, but the presence of convenient intermountain basins does not interfere with interstate connections. Truly “God’s” gift for the PRC - wide access to Pacific Ocean and huge opportunities for connections with outside world. The surface of China has a general slope from west to east, descending in giant steps from Tibet to the Pacific Ocean. The relief is characterized by significant diversity. Structural directions, running from north to south and from east to west, intersect each other, dividing China into separate parts, without creating their great isolation. Three relief zones can be distinguished: southwestern, northwestern and eastern. The first includes the Tibetan Plateau (the highest on Earth), which is a combination of plains raised to 4000 - 4500 m and ridges reaching 5000 - 6000 m. The highlands are framed by high mountain systems - the Himalayas (over 8,000 m), Karakorum, Kunlun, Nanshan. In the eastern part of the highlands is the Sichuan Basin. The second zone is represented by the Kashgar and Dzungarian plains, separated by the Tien Shan mountains, the Gobi, Alashan, and Ordos deserts. South of Ordos is loess plateau, rugged by ravines and canyons. The third, eastern, zone is a combination of large plains, mountain ranges and their spurs. In the northeast is the densely populated Dongbei Plain, surrounded by the mountain systems of Greater and Lesser Khingan and Changbai Shan. The vast Great Plain of China stretches along the Yellow Sea. It is connected to the Dongbei Plain by the Shanghaiguan Corridor, which stretches along the Liaodong Bay of the Yellow Sea. The southeastern region of China is occupied by mountain ranges and hills, which alternate with basins and river valleys. There are many rivers in China. Most of them, following the terrain, flow towards the east and flow into the Pacific Ocean. The largest ones include the Yangtze, Yellow River, Heilongjiang, Zhujiang, Liaohe, and Haihe. The country also has many lakes, especially in the middle and lower Yangtze and northern Tibetan Plateau. There are few forests in China. They cover only a tenth of the country's territory. The entire eastern zone is in the monsoon climate. In winter, a stream of very cold air comes here from Siberia and Mongolia. Despite the fact that these areas lie at the latitude of Italy and North Africa, the winter here is cold (for example, in Shenyang, located at the same latitude as Rome, in January it can be colder than in Moscow; Beijing has a winter similar to St. Petersburg; even in Guangzhou, which lies south of the Tropic of the North, snow sometimes falls). Summer air temperatures are not so contrasting. The changes affect not the latitudinal, but the longitudinal direction - from the ocean coast to the interior of the country. China is rich in diverse minerals. The country stands out on a global scale for its reserves of many of them. The highest degree of provision with fuel and energy resources. Among them, coal predominates. The largest coal basins are located in the north, northeast and central part of the country. The northeast, as well as the coastal provinces and the Yellow Sea shelf, contain large oil reserves, which, however, are in short supply for the rapidly developing economy. Along with oil, there are natural gas outlets. The country also has large reserves of oil shale and nuclear fuel. There are significant reserves of iron ore (they are often combined with deposits of coal, including coking coal), manganese and especially tungsten. There are great molybdenum resources. In terms of reserves of these raw materials, China occupies a leading position in the world. Meanwhile, reserves of such important alloying metals as chromium and nickel are insignificant. China has a lot of raw materials for non-ferrous metallurgy. The country ranks first among foreign countries in terms of reserves of tin and antimony, there are large deposits of copper, polymetallic, mercury and other ores. There are significant reserves of aluminum raw materials. Uranium deposits have been discovered. At the same time, there is a shortage of such important metals as cobalt, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, bismuth, gold, silver, and platinum. Among non-metallic minerals, colossal deposits of table salt stand out. There are large deposits of magnesite, phosphorite and graphite. From others natural resources China has huge reserves hydropower resources. The country occupies a leading position in the world in terms of hydropower potential. Meanwhile, China has very little land resources per capita.

4.Formation of writing in China. Another important feature of the Chinese language is the presence of very different dialects. This is due to the fact that the Han people have long settled over a very large territory, individual parts of which for centuries were weakly connected with each other politically and economically. Until recently, these dialects were divided into seven large groups, but recent research has increased their number to 10. All of them differ from each other in phonetics, vocabulary and grammar, and such differences can be so great that people speaking different dialects often understand each other almost completely or not at all. Therefore, in order to explain themselves to each other, the Chinese usually use hieroglyphic letter, common to all dialects and dialect groups. It is the hieroglyphic writing that most ensures the cultural and linguistic unity of China. For this purpose, there is a single written language, Wenyan, based on the ancient Chinese language of the 4th century. BC BC, and the newer literary language of Baihua, based on the northern dialects of the Central Chinese language of the 14th–16th centuries. Chinese hieroglyphic writing originated a very long time ago, back in the middle of the second millennium BC. At first, the design of each hieroglyph resembled the concept that it was supposed to reflect. This type of writing, characteristic of many ancient languages, is called pictographic. Over time, as concepts become more complex and enriched vocabulary language, pictographic (pictorial) writing began to be replaced ideographic(figurative), which received its most complete expression precisely in Chinese hieroglyphs. Typically, a hieroglyph consists of two parts: “key” and “phonetics”. In this case, the “key” determines its belonging to a certain group of concepts. Thus, the “key” “water” is part of the hieroglyphs denoting words such as “sea”, “lake”, “river”, “wine”, “liquid”. "Phonetician" shows how to read a hieroglyph. It can be added that previously the Chinese arranged hieroglyphs on the page in columns, from right to left (accordingly, the spine of the book was on the right - like the Arabs and Jews). But in the 1950s. they switched to lowercase writing from left to right. Hieroglyphic writing remains extremely complex. In any case, much more complex than the European alphabet, in which each letter represents a specific sound. One cannot ignore the difficulty of writing individual hieroglyphs, because in some of them the number of strokes can reach 25–30. That is why writing reform has long been carried out in China with the aim of simplifying it - eliminating the use of some characters and reducing the number of strokes in others. This reform was especially intensified after the formation of the People's Republic of China, when the mass eradication of illiteracy began. An even more radical path found expression in attempts to create a fundamentally different language for the Chinese language, alphabetic letter, based on the Latin script. 1958 - an alphabetic letter was adopted, developed on a Latin basis, taking into account the entire previous movement for the “alphabetization” of the Chinese language (“Pinyin Zimu”). It was assumed that it would gradually replace the hieroglyphic one. But that did not happen. The alphabetic letter has become only auxiliary and is used mainly in information systems, advertising and especially in the transcription of geographical names and proper names of the Chinese into other languages. At the same time, complete unification of recording Chinese words with Latin letters it never happened.

What makes China an attractive country for tourism is its abundance of attractions, interesting culture, and history dating back to ancient times. China has many picturesque mountains, rivers, waterfalls and gorges.

One of the largest rivers in China is the Yangtze, which is 6,300 kilometers long. It originates in the snow-capped mountains of Geladandong and flows through eleven provinces. It is called the river of contrasts. It flows first through the fields, then through the foothills, turning into mountains and gorges, giving way to hills.

In length it is second only to the Nile and the Amazon. The Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, was built on this river. It flows through deep valleys and high mountains. The river contains rich hydro resources.

The Yangtze is the main and most convenient shipping route of the country, which runs from west to east. It is called the “golden transport artery”; it seems that nature itself has adapted it for navigation.

The warm and humid climate, abundant rainfall and fertile soil are excellent conditions for the development of agriculture. The main breadbasket of the country is located here.

The Yangtze River has long been famous for its beauty. There are many legends about local attractions. This is the main thoroughfare of China, the most abundant and longest river in Eurasia. The Yangtze River divides northern and southern China into two parts. Located on the Yangtze Largest cities China - Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing. The city of Shanghai is located in the river delta.

Yellow River

When talking about the two main rivers of China, it should be said that the second largest river of the state, with a length of 5464 kilometers, is the Yellow River, originating on the Tibetan Plateau. In translation it means “yellow river”. It rushes in a stormy stream to the east, down from the plateau through gorges, further through the highlands of Gansu province.

Especially in summer it carries a huge amount of silt, when the river is at its deepest. Floods often occur, for which the river is called “the grief of China.” Then it goes out onto the North China Plain. When leaving the gorge it flows into Bohai Bay. Nowadays, many waterworks have been built in the upper reaches of this river. Where the river loses speed, Chinese civilization was born.

Provinces of China

The population in China in 2008 is about 1.32 billion people (a fifth of the world's population). In terms of territory, China ranks third after Russia and Canada (9.6 million sq. km). In the northeast it borders with Korea. In the north it borders with Mongolia, Russia, in the west with the inaccessible Himalayan mountains and the Tibetan plateau. In the southwest with Afghanistan, Nepal, Bunat, Pakistan and India. In the south with Vietnam, Laos, Burma. in the east and southeast, the coasts of China are washed by the East China, South China, and Yellow Seas and have maritime borders with Japan, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The length of the coastline of the main continent is 18,000 km, excluding about 5,000 islands. The land border is 22,000 km.
Three-level Administrative division: provinces, counties (cities) and volosts (settlements). China consists of 23 provinces (the 23rd province is Taiwan), 5 autonomous regions: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Inner Mongolia, 2 special administrative regions: Hong Kong ( Hong Kong) a former British colony and Macao (Macau) a former Portuguese colony, and 4 cities of central subordination: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin. China currently has 32 autonomous regions, 321 cities and 2,046 counties.

The rivers in China are mostly mountainous, so they have great hydropower potential. The two largest rivers are the Yangtze and Yellow River. These include Amur, Sungari, Xijiang, Tsagno, Yalohe. The rivers of eastern China are large and navigable. The western region of China is arid, with a small number of rivers: Tarim, Black Irtysh, Ili, Edzin-Gol. The largest rivers in China originate from the Tibetan Plateau and flow into the ocean.

Major rivers of China

• Yangtze (length 6300 km; basin area - 1.8 million sq. km)
• Yellow River (length 5460 km; basin area - 0.75 million sq. km)
• Heilongjiang (length 3420 km; basin area - 1.6 million sq. km)
• Zhujiang (length 2200 km. Basin area - 0.45 million sq. km)
• Lancangjiang (length 2200 km. Basin area - 0.24 million sq. km)
• Nujiang (length 2000 km. Area - 0.12 million sq. km)

China is rich not only in rivers, but also in lakes. There are two main types: tectonic and water-erosive. The former are located in the central Asian part of the country, and the latter in the Yangtze River system. In the western part of China, the largest lakes are: Lop Nor, Kununor, Ebi-Nur. Lakes are especially numerous on the Tibetan Plateau. Most of the lowland lakes, as well as rivers, are low-water, many are drainless and saline. In the eastern part of China the largest are: Dongting, Poyanghu, Taihu, located in the Yangtze River basin; Hongzohu and Gaoihu are in the Yellow River basin. During high water, many of these lakes become the country's natural reservoirs.

Large lakes of China

• Qinghai - Area 4583 sq. km. Depth 32.8 m. Height 3196 m. Qinghai. Salty
• Shinkai - Area 4500 sq. km. Depth 10 m. Height 69 m. Heilongjiang. Fresh
• Poyang - Area 3583 sq. km. Depth 16 m. Height 21 m. Jiangxi. Fresh
• Dongting - Area 2820 sq. km. Depth 30.8 m. Height 34.5 m. Hunan. Fresh
• Taihu - Area 2425 sq. km. Depth 3.33 m. Height 3.0 m. Jiangsu. Fresh
• Hulunhu - Area 2315 sq. km. Depth 8.0 m. Height 545.5 m. Inner Mongolia. Fresh
• Hongzehu - Area 1960 sq. km. Depth 4.75 m. Height 12.5 m. Jiangsu. Fresh
• Namtso - Area 1940 sq. km. Height 4593 m. Tibet. Salty
• Selling - Area 1530 sq. km. Height 4514 m. Tibet. Salty

Flora

The climate in China ranges from severe cold (-40 degrees) to sultry heat (up to +40 degrees Celsius) with large temperature changes. In the north of China there is a rainy season, in the south there is a humid, hot summer. Typhoons are frequent on the southeast coast. In China, cedar, larch, linden, oak, laurel, walnut, maple, magnolia, Japanese camellia, bamboo, palm trees, ash, and birch grow. The vegetation is varied. Many plants began to be cultivated and grown at home. The Tibetan Plateau is dominated by low and herbaceous vegetation of Tibetan sedge and swampweed. In the valleys of the eastern part of the highlands there are coniferous and deciduous forests.

Fauna

The diversity of the animal world in China is associated with the large size and heterogeneity of the relief and climate. Animal and vegetable world China is very diverse. There are unique animals: panda, leopard, tiger, elephant, wild yak, deer, elk, bear, sable, musk deer. In the northeast: elk, musk deer, roe deer, wild boar, chipmunk, squirrel. In the steppes of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang there are many ungulates, including the Mongolian gazelle and saiga. In the taiga of Heilujiang province there are Brown bear, wolf, fox, lynx. Within the Greater Khingan there are predators - tigers and leopards, as well as fur-bearing animals - kolinsky, solongoi, polecat, otter, lynx, squirrel, raccoon dog, wolf, badger. Wolves live on the plains, and rodents such as gerbils are found in abundance. In southwest China, the most interesting animals live in Sichuan and Yunnan. In the bamboo groves in the mountains there are big and small pandas and musk deer. Among the ungulates in Tibet there are yak, orongo antelope, cucuyaman sheep, kiang, wild goats, and among predators - Snow Leopard, Tibetan bear, lynx, wolf, red wolf, corsac fox, among rodents - gray hamster, Tibetan bobak. In Southern China there are tiger, clouded leopard, and arboreal animals - tupaya and fruit bats. Birds: bustards, herons, swans, cranes, ducks, blue magpie, pheasant, oriole. In the north-eastern region: black grouse, black grouse, gray and white partridge, capercaillie, hazel grouse, Himalayan snowcock, sand grouse, kuksha, three-toed woodpecker, nutcracker, crossbill, pink lentil.

More than 50 thousand rivers with a total length of 228 thousand km flow through the territory of China, a state in East Asia with an area of ​​9.6 million km 2 (the third largest in the world after Russia and Canada). China's surface water reserves rank sixth in the world.

Most of the rivers are part of the external drainage system and have access to the seas of the Pacific Ocean, Indian and Arctic Oceans; they have a total drainage area of ​​64% of the total area of ​​the country.

Inland rivers are few in number, separated from each other at great distances, and often become shallow. They flow into lakes throughout the country, dry up in deserts or disappear into salt marshes. China has a large number of lakes, with a total area of ​​80 thousand km 2.

Major rivers of China

The southwest of the country lies in the highlands of the Tibetan Plateau, the northern and northwestern in the belt of mountains and high plains, the east of China - in the low part, composed of low accumulative plains and low mountains in the northeast and south of the country. Therefore, most of China's rivers flow in an easterly direction and drain into the Pacific Ocean. The largest rivers in China are the Yangtze, Yellow River (Yellow River), Lancang (Mekong), Heilongjiang (Amur), Zhujiang, Songhua, Nenjiang.

It has a length of 6300 km, which makes it the longest and deepest river not only in China, but also on the entire Eurasian continent. The area of ​​its drainage basin is 1.8 million km 2, which is 1/5 of the area of ​​the entire country. The Three Gorges hydroelectric power station, built on this river in 2012, is considered the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. The river originates in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, at an altitude of 5.6 thousand meters above sea level. Moving across the country, the river changes direction several times and decreases in height, flowing into the East China Sea, forming a wide delta. It has more than 700 tributaries, the largest of which are the Yalongjiang, Minjiang, Jialingjiang, and Hanshui. The Yangtze is a monsoon-fed river, most of the water comes during the monsoon rains, and there are often floods here.

Yellow River (Yellow River)

The second longest river in China and one of the longest in Central Asia, its length is 5.5 thousand km. It received its name “Yellow River” because of the yellowish tint of the water, colored by abundant sediment. The sources of the river are located in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 4 thousand above sea level, flowing with the formation of a delta into the Bokai Bay of the Yellow Sea of ​​the Pacific Ocean. The drainage basin area is 752 thousand km 2. The river is characterized by a monsoon type of feeding with summer floods. The river water is actively used for irrigation, electricity generation, and river navigation (in the area of ​​the Great Chinese Plains). To avoid frequent floods on the river and its many tributaries, a large-scale system of dams was built, with a total length of more than 5 thousand km.

The third after the Yangtze and Yellow River in China in terms of length (2.2 thousand km) and deep water. It is also called the Pearl River; pearl fishing was previously developed in its tributaries. Formed by the confluence of the Xijiang, Dunjiang and Beijiang rivers, it flows into the South China Sea south of Gongzhou, forming a wide delta, in one of the branches of which Hong Kong and Macau are located. The area of ​​the drainage basin is 437 thousand km 2.

Lancang (Mekong)

The river has a length of 4.5 thousand km and flows through the territory of such countries as China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, being the largest river in Indochina. The area of ​​the drainage basin is 810 thousand km 2. It originates on the Tibetan Plateau as Dza-Chu, in the middle reaches in China it is Lancang, and flows, forming a delta of nine branches, into the South China Sea in Vietnam. Tributaries - Mun, Emchu, Tonle Sap, San, Dzechu. It is used for irrigation, fishing, and in wide floods of the river they practice rice cultivation.

Heilongjiang (Amur)

(Amur River - divides the Russian-Chinese border between the cities of Haihe and Blagoveshchensk)

The Amur River, which in China is called the “Black Dragon River” of Heilongjiang, flows on the border of China and Russia. Its length is 2824 thousand km, originates in Mongolia on the Khentei Ridge, flows through the territory of Russia and China (44.2%), and flows into the Amur Estuary of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk in the Pacific Ocean basin. It flows through the territory of the Chinese province of Heilongjiang in the northeast of the country. Large tributaries in China are the Sungari and Ussuri.

The right is the largest tributary of the Amur, its length is 1927 km. It flows through the northeast of China through the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang; on the banks are the large cities of Harbin, Jilin and Jiamusi. It originates on the Changbaishan plateau (the border territory of China and Korea). It flows mainly along the Manchurian Plain and flows into the Amur near the Chinese city of Tongjiang on the northwestern border with Russia.

Largest lakes in China

China has a large number of lakes with a total area of ​​80 thousand km 2, 12 lakes have an area of ​​more than 1 thousand km 2. Most of the lakes are located in the eastern part of the country in the valleys of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The lakes in the western part of the country (Tibetan Plateau) have no drainage, contain little water and are often saline. The largest lakes in China are Poyang, Taihu, Dongting, Hongzehu, Nam Tso, Qinghaihu (Kukunor).

The largest freshwater lake in China, its area may change depending on the season: 2.7 thousand km 2 (winter), 5 thousand km 2 (summer), length - 120 km, width - 17 km, average depth - 8.4 m, maximum - 25 m. Located in Jiangxi province in southeast China, on the right bank of the Yangtze River, they are connected by a channel.

The second largest lake in the country, area - 2.8 thousand km 2. Located in northeast China in Hunan province, it is located in the floodplain of the Yangtze River, its area may vary depending on the season. The waters of four rivers also flow into it: Xiangjiang, Yuan, Zi and Lishui.

The third largest lake in China, with an area of ​​2.2 thousand km. Its length is 60 km, width is 45 km, average depth is 2 m. It is located on the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. One river flows out of it: the Suzhouhe River, and there are about 90 islands of various sizes in the lake.

The fourth largest lake in China, with an area of ​​2096 km 2. Located in the east of the country in Jiangsu province between the cities of Suqian and Huai'an. Stretching 60 km from north to south and 58 km from east to west, it is the youngest of China's five freshwater lakes.

Qinghaihu (Kukunor)

The largest salt lake in China and the second largest salt lake in Central Asia after Issyk-Kul. It is located on the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 3205 meters above sea level. Its area is 4.2 thousand km 2, length - 110 km, width - 80 km, maximum depth- 38 m.

One of the largest mountain salt lakes in China, located on the Tibetan Plateau (4718 meters above sea level). Its area is 1870 km2, length - 70 km, width - 30 km, maximum depth - 45 meters.

Brief Geography of China

China is a country with many rivers. Across the territory of China, occupying over 9.6 million square meters. km, flow the most diverse rivers in terms of length and categories, large and small, quiet and stormy, long and short, which, like the hardworking Chinese people, multiply the wealth of the country by giving it a valuable resource - water. And they all play an extremely important role in soil irrigation, ship navigation, electricity generation, urban water supply, cultural development and many other areas of the economy and construction of the country.

If you select rivers by the area of ​​their valley, which exceeds 100 square meters. km, then there are 50 thousand such rivers in China. If you select rivers by the area of ​​their valley, which exceeds 1,000 square meters. km, then there are 1,500 of them in China. The total annual flow of all rivers in China is 2,600 billion cubic meters. m. And if you connect the natural rivers of China into a single chain, then its total length would reach 430 thousand km. In other words, this chain would wrap around the water area 10.5 times. Such famous rivers of China as the Yangtze, Yellow River, Lancang and Heilongjiang are among the ten largest rivers in the world. China is a country with a vast territory. Geographical location determines the difference in climates of different regions and the unequal nature of rivers. Depending on the different forms of river flow and circulation water resources China's rivers are generally divided into the following two categories.

The watershed line between the basin of internal and external rivers begins in the north from the point of contact of the Greater Khingan ridge with the Mongolian border and then stretches to the southwest along the Yinshan, Helanshan (Alashan), Qilianshan, Bayan-Khara-Ula, Tangla and Kailash ridges and ends at western section of the state border. In addition to the Ordos Plateau, the area on the Songhua-Nenjiang Plain and Lake Yamjoyum-Tso south of the river. Yaluzangbujiang, all areas south and east of this line belong to the Pacific and Indian Ocean basins. To the northwest of this line lies the basin of inland rivers (with the exception of the Black Irtysh basin).

Rivers in China are distinguished by their deep flow, abundance, rich resources and diversity of water systems to which they belong. Besides natural rivers There are also many artificial canals in China. Among them, the most famous is the Beijing-Hangzhou Great Canal, which crosses Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Its total length is 1,801 km, which is ten times longer than the Suez Canal and twenty times longer than the Panama Canal. The construction of this ancient Chinese canal began in the 5th century. BC. This is the oldest and longest canal in the world.

Yangtze— longest river in China

The Yangtze crosses the territory of China. It is called the cradle of the Chinese nation, the hearth and birthplace of ancient Chinese culture. It is distinguished by its deep current, enormous length and extraordinary beauty. The Yangtze is the symbol of the Chinese nation. Yangtze is the most long river in Asia.

The Yangtze has different names in different parts. The main source of the Yangtze is called Totohe (Ulan Muren). The section from the source to Batankhekou is called Tuntianhe (Muruy-Us, Ji-Chu), the length is 1,188 km. The section from Batanghekou to Yibin is called the Jinshajiang, the river crosses the border of Tibet and Sichuan and runs along the Hengduan Shan mountain range. Its length here is 2,308 km. Starting from Yibin, where the Minjiang flows into the river, it is called Changjiang. From Yizheng to Yangzhou, the river is called the Yangtze.

Depending on various hydrological and geological features, the Yangtze is usually divided into three parts. The upper course is considered to be the part from the source to Yichang in Hubei Province, its length is 4.512 km; from Yichang to Hukou, Jiangxi Province - medium current, length - 938 km; from Hukou to the mouth of the Yangtze - lower reaches, length - 850 km. The average annual flow of the Yangtze is 1,000 billion cubic meters. The Yangtze accounts for one third of the total flow of water in China. This volume is four times larger than the drainage of the largest river in Europe - the Volga. The relief in the Yangtze Valley is diverse: plateaus and mountainous areas occupy 65.6%, hills - 24%, plains and lowlands - 10.4%.

Yangtze is the most large river in China. Its total length is 6,380 km. The area occupied by its valley is 1.8 million square meters. km. The source of the Yangtze is located on the slopes of Mount Basudan Ula, the main peak of the Tangla mountain range on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Flowing through 11 provinces, cities and autonomous regions such as Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai, the river flows into the East China Sea. The Yangtze basin covers 16 provinces, cities and autonomous regions. It occupies one fifth of China's territory.

The Yangtze water system was formed against a complex geological background. About 200 million years ago, the sea roared in the area of ​​​​present Tibet, Xinjiang, southern Qinghai, western Sichuan, central and western Yunnan and western Guangxi. The movement of the earth's crust, which occurred during the late Jurassic period and early Cretaceous period, led to the formation of folds of the earth's crust in the Tangla region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This is how the Ulan-Muren River, the main source of the Yangtze, arose in the gorges between Kunlun, Bayan-Khara-Ula and Tangla. Under the influence of the Himalayan mountain-building movement at the beginning of the Cenozoic era, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau continuously rose. And under the influence of ruptures and the intersection of different geological layers in the area of ​​Murui-Usa, Jinshajiang, Minjiang.

Tuojiang and Jialingjiang gradually formed gorges and rivers. The beginning of the Tertiary era was accompanied by a warm climate and heavy rains. Under the influence of severe erosion in the mountainous areas along the Yangtze, river currents formed in different geological stripes along the river merged into a single large river, gradually connecting with their tributaries. For example, Muruy-Us connected with Jinshajiang. And Jialingjiang and Minjiang in the Sichuan Basin, merging, connected with the Yangtze. Further, heading east, the river took into its bed several more large rivers of the provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi.

The climate in the Yangtze Valley is predominantly subtropical, with seasonal winds. There is an abundance of hydro resources. Rains form 75-80% of the annual runoff, underground sources - 20-25%, some percentage comes from the melting product of glaciers and mountain snow. The Yangtze has many tributaries. 48 tributaries have a basin of 10 thousand square meters. km or more. The largest basin is near the Jialingjiang River - 160 thousand square meters. km.

The Yangtze has enormous wealth in the form of untapped water resources. The height of the fall from the source to the mouth of the Yangtze is 6,600 meters. The fall height on the upper reaches of the Jinshajiang River is 3,300 meters. In many sections of the river, nature provides excellent conditions for the construction of large and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants. The Yangtze is also the most important artery in China's water transport network. The total length of navigation sections is 70 thousand km, which is 70% of the length of the country's river transport lines.

One of the main grain granaries of China is located in the Yangtze basin. The catch of freshwater fish in the basin accounts for over 60% of the gross production of fisheries in China. The Yangtze Basin is famous for its vast territory and ancient history. The most famous cities and towns are located on both banks. historical monuments China. Among them are Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Suzhou, Kunming, etc.

Zhujiang is the result of the confluence of three famous rivers

Zhujiang was originally the name given to the waterway from Guangzhou to its mouth at the sea near Hukou. Its length is 96 km. Unlike other rivers in China, the Pearl River has neither common sources, nor a common bed, nor even a common mouth. It is actually a collection of four water systems, namely Xijiang, Beijiang, Dongjiang and Liuxihe. The Pearl River is considered the third largest major river in China.

The formation of Xijiang, Beijiang and Dongjiang belongs to the geological period Mesozoic era 100 million years ago. The rivers were formed under the influence of the Yangshan geological process. A strip of ruptures, which run first from the northeast to the southwest, then from the northwest to the southeast, served as the basis for the formation of the geological structure of the three rivers.

Among these three rivers, Xijiang is considered to be the longest. Its length is 2,197 km. The basin area is 350 thousand sq. km. It is usually called the main current of the Zhujiang. The main source of the Nanpanjiang originates in the Masyongshan Mountains in Yunnan Province. The river joins Beijiang at Sanshui City, Guangdong Province, then heads to the Pearl Delta and from there flows into the South China Sea at Modaomen.

The origins of Beijiang are located in the Dashishan Mountains of Xinfong County, Jiangxi Province, and in Moshishen, west of Linwu County, Hunan Province. These sources merge in Shaoguan in Guangdong Province and are called Beijiang there. The length of the river is 468 km. At Sanshui, Guangdong Province, it turns southeast, then passes through the Pearl Delta and flows into the South China Sea at Hongqili.

Dongjiang has two sources: eastern and western - in Xunwu County and Anyuan County, Jiangxi Province. Merging together in Longchuan County, Guangdong Province, they receive the name Dongjiang. The lower reaches of Dongjiang pass through the Zhujiang Delta. The river flows into the South China Sea at Humen. The length of the river is 523 km. Mountains and hills occupy 94.5% of the total area of ​​the basin, plains and depressions - only 5.5%.

The Zhujiang Basin is located in a tropical and subtropical zone that often experiences strong seasonal winds. The average annual precipitation is 1,000-2,000 mm, in some places 3,000 mm. The average annual flow is 341.2 billion cubic meters. In terms of total flow volume, it is second only to the Yangtze and ranks second among the rivers of China.

The Zhujiang Basin is characterized by an extreme concentration of hydro resources. According to theoretical estimates, the explored but undeveloped hydraulic capacity reaches 33.35 million kW. The estimated average annual electricity generation is 292.1 billion kWh, which is 5.8% of the country's gross production. In addition to the Han people, the basin is inhabited by representatives of 10 national minorities - Zhuang, Miaochang, Yaochang, Buitian, Maonan, Yian, Liyan, etc. There are also deposits of various non-ferrous metals, such as coal, manganese ores, iron, aluminum, tin, etc. The Pearl Valley is also one of the country's main grain production bases, as well as a forestry base and a production base for tropical and subtropical crops. Cane sugar production here accounts for half of the country's gross output. Rubber, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, river fish, seafood, etc. are also produced here.

River basin area Zhujiang - 453.69 thousand square meters. km, including 442.10 thousand sq. km are in Chinese territory. Half of the area is occupied by limestone, and karst phenomena are often found here. Among the tourist attractions, we should highlight the ancient Buddhist rocks in Zhaoguang, picturesque mountains and rivers in Guilin and Yangshuo, caves and gorges in Zhaoqing, etc.

The Yellow River is the most sandy river in the world

The Yellow River is the second largest river in China, one of the main centers of ancient Chinese civilization, the cradle of the Chinese nation. At the river's source, the water is as clear as a tear. Its middle course passes through the yellow earth plateau. The tributaries of Udinghe, Pihe, and Weihe carry with them a huge amount of yellow earth masses. This is where the name Yellow River comes from, which means “Yellow River”. The Yellow River is a relatively young river. On early stage During the Quaternary period, within the basin of the current river, there were only lake shells, which were isolated from each other and formed relatively independent inland water systems. With the development of the new movement of the geological structure, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau continuously rose. Folds and breaks appeared at its edges, on the basis of which a multi-stage relief in the form of a terrace was later formed. Previously existing scattered lakes merged into rivers. And only later, about 100-10 thousand years ago, in the late stage of the Pleistocene era, the current river gradually formed with a completely unimpeded flow from its sources right up to the mouth, where it flows into the sea.

The Yellow River originates on the northern slopes of the Bayan-Khara-Ula ridge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The height of the source above sea level is 4,830 meters. The upstream is considered to be the section from the source to Togtokh County of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The length of the section is 3,472 km. In this area there are deep gorges, areas with high drop heights are also concentrated here, the water is clear and swift. Large reserves of hydro resources have been confirmed. The middle flow is considered to be the section from Togtoh to Mengjin County, Henan Province. This is an area of ​​sandy soils, and the water carries with it a huge amount of coarse sand. The length of the middle course is 1,122 km. The section from Mengjin County to the mouth is considered the downstream. This is the main alluvial area where the main masses of silt and sand accumulate. The length of the lower reaches is 870 km.

The Yellow River flows through the following provinces and regions: Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong. It flows into Bohai Bay near Dongying, Shandong Province. The total length is 5,464 km. The height of the fall is 4,480 meters. The Yellow River basin is located at coordinates 32°-42° north latitude and 96°-119° east longitude. The pool area is 795 thousand square meters. km.

The Yellow River flows through the loess plateau. The loess plateau, with its loose soil and depleted flora, has been transformed into many deep gorges and steep cliffs along and across this hilly region and is a unique geological species that is hardly found in other parts of the world. Erosion and some man-made factors have led to severe degradation of water and soil in the area.

Every year, the Yellow River throws a huge amount of sand downstream. The average density of sand masses in water is 37 kg/cubic meter, and in the rainy season it is more than 1,000 kg/cubic meter. That's why it is called the sandiest river in the world. Regular measurements and assessments show that annually the Yellow River transfers 1.6 billion tons of sand from the middle to the lower reaches, as a result of which, geographically, the continent is continuously growing eastward at a rate of 50 square meters. km. in year.

The mountains and rivers in the Yellow River basin are of extraordinary beauty. The basin's population accounts for a quarter of China's total population. Fertile soil, abundant water resources, deposits of coal, oil, natural gas, ores and rich tourism resources make the basin a place of great importance, with enormous potential for future development.

Liaohe - a major river in Northeast China

Liaohe is the largest river in the south of Dongbei - the Chinese Northeast. The first mention of this river is found in the book “Shanhaijing”, written during the Warring States era (475-221 BC). IN different time the river had different names: Liaoshui, Daliaoshui, Qiulyuhe and others.

Liaohe has two sources: eastern and western. The eastern section of Liaohe (Dongliaohe) originates on the western slopes of the Changbai Mountain ridge near the city of Liaoyuan, Jilin Province. Western Liaohe (Xilaohe) is divided into two sources: southern and northern, Laohahe, originating on the slopes of Mount Guangtoushan Range. Qilaotu of Pingchuan County, Hebei Province and Shara Muren, starting in Heshigten aimag of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Eastern and Western Liaohe, after merging into Guyushu in Changtu County in the north of Liaoning Province, receive the common name Liaohe. In Liaoning, the river passes by Tieling and turns southwest, eventually flowing into Liaodong Bay. The total length is 1,390 km. The Liaohe Basin is located in a temperate zone with strong seasonal winds. Average annual precipitation is 350-1,000 mm. The average annual flow is 8.9 billion cubic meters. The basin covers about 500 large and small rivers. Among them are 70 rivers with basins of 1,000 square meters. km. and more. The main tributaries of the Liaohe are the Hunhe, Taizihe, Qinghe, Zhaoyanhe, Liuhe, Dongliaohe, Zaolaihe, Laohahe, Shara-Muren and Xingkai. The source of water replenishment is summer rainfall.

The total area of ​​the Liaohe basin is 219 thousand square meters. km. It covers Liaoning Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jilin and Hebei Provinces. In the semi-desert steppe of the upper reaches of the Liaohe, residents are mainly engaged in animal husbandry. In the downstream plains, the population cultivates crops such as soybeans, wheat, kaoliang, corn and rice. Rich deposits of minerals such as coal, oil, iron, magnesium ores, diamond, etc. have been explored in the basin. It is one of the most important industrial bases of our country for the production of petroleum, chemical, metallurgical products and for the production of electricity, mechanical products and building materials.

Heilongjiang is a great international river flowing through the territory of three countries

Heilongjiang (Amur) is located in the northeast of our country. In terms of length, it is second only to the Yangtze and Yellow River and is the third largest river in China. Heilongjiang has two sources - southern and northern. The northern tributary is the Shilka (in the upper reaches - Onon), originating from the eastern foot of Mount Khentei in the northern part of Mongolia. The total length is 1,660 km. The pool area is approximately 200 thousand square meters. km. The southern source of the Heilongjiang is called Argun (in the upper reaches - Hailar), it originates on the western slopes of the Greater Khingan, flows through Lake Hulun-Nur and turns first to the north, then to the northeast. Then Argun begins to pass along the Chinese-Russian border.

The total length is 1,520 km. The pool area is 170 thousand square meters. km. The total length of the Heilongjiang River from its source to the mouth where it flows into the sea is 2,850 km. Its upper course from the village of Logu to the mouth of the Zeya is 905 km. Here the river passes between the mountains and flows through narrow caves and gorges. The water is deep and fast. Its middle course is considered to be the area from the mouth of the Zeya to the mouth of the Ussuri. Its length is 994 km. Here the river flows either through mountainous regions or through plains. The downstream is considered to be the section from the mouth of the Ussuri to the mouth; its length is 930 km. This section of the river flows through Russian territory.

The water system of the Heilongjiang River mainly consists of various large and small tributaries. There are only 209 of them. Among them, the famous ones are Shilka, Zeya, Songhuajiang (Sungari) and Ussuri.

The area of ​​the Heilongjiang basin is 1,840 thousand square meters. km, of which 940 thousand sq. km. are in China. The basin consists of the basins of Ussuri, Songhuajiang, Nenjiang, etc. The Heilongjiang basin is located in a temperate and cold zone. The river receives water replenishment primarily from rain and, secondarily, from melting snow. Recharges from rain make up 75-89% of the annual runoff, snow - only 15-20%. Replenishment from underground sources is only 5-8%.

A significant part of the basin is occupied by forests. The basin provides the country with one third of its timber harvests and timber reserves. The plain along the river has fertile soil, which supports developed agriculture on a large scale. Every year there is a good harvest of wheat and soybeans. The basin also has a complex geological structure. The richest deposits of gold, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, plutonium, coal, oil and natural gas have already been explored. Rich hydro resources have also been explored. Estimated electricity generation is over 30 million kW. The basin is home to a huge variety of valuable animal species. Among them, 9 species are included in the International Red Book. These are the red wolf, northeastern tiger, Far Eastern stork, etc. The water management of the basin has great importance in the economy of northeastern China.

Huaihe - great river on the central plain of China

Huaihe is one of the main waterways in eastern China. It is located in the middle of two major rivers of China - the Yangtze and Yellow River. The river originates in the Tongbai Mountains in the south of Henan Province. The upstream is considered to be the area from the source to the confluence of the Honghe River on the border between the provinces of Henan and Anhui. The length of the section is 360 km. The fall height is 178 meters, which is 90% of the total fall height of Huaihe. The pool area is 30 thousand square meters. km. The Huaihe River flows through hilly areas. The section from the mouth of the Honghe to Hongjiehu on the border between Anhui and Jiangsu provinces is considered the middle course of the river. Its length is 490 km.

The pool area is 128 thousand square meters. km. North Shore the middle reaches of the Huaihe River are part of the Yellow River-Huaihe Plain. The southern coast is occupied by the Jianghuai Hills and the Hoshan Mountains, which serve as a watershed between the Yangtze and Huaihe Valley. In Fengtai, Huaiyuan and Wuhe of Anhui Province, the river forms the so-called. "Three Small Gorges of Huaihe" The area below Hongjiehe is considered the lower reaches of the river. Its length is 150 km. In the lower reaches, small rivers cross each other, and lakes are located all the time.

The Huaihe Basin is located on the central plain, the Great Zhongyuan Plain of China. It covers the provinces of Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hubei. In the west, the basin is adjacent to the Tongbai Mountains and the Funyu Mountains. In the east, the basin is limited by the Yellow Sea, in the south by the Dabeshan, Hoshan and Zhangbaling mountains, and by the Lianshan and Imeshan mountains. The total area of ​​the pool is 270 thousand square meters. km.

The Huaihe water system includes several hundred rivers and their tributaries. There are known differences in relief and natural geographical conditions between the northern and southern shores of Huaihe. These differences predetermined the characteristics of the two water systems. The tributaries on the north shore are numerous and shallow. On south coast- short and deep tributaries. On the northern shore, the most famous are Honghe, Yinghe, Wohe, Huihe, Tohe, etc. On the southern coast there are Pihe and Shihe.

The Huaihe Valley is located on a strip transitioning from southern to northern climates. It has a temperate climate with a semi-humid atmosphere. Geographically, Huaihe and Qinglin form a natural dividing line between the South and North of China. The climate is moderate. The frost-free period is more than 200 days a year. Precipitation is average, moderate - 800 mm per year.

The Huaihe Basin is also one of the most important agricultural production bases of our country. The main type of explored underground wealth is coal. The valley is home to many large coal mines, such as Huainan, Huaibei, Pingdingshan, Chaozhuang and Xuzhou.

Haihe - a water system reminiscent of an ancient Chinese fan

The main waterway of Haihe is considered to be the area from the junction of the Ziyahe and Nanyunhe rivers near the Jingang Bridge in the northeastern part of Tianjin to the Haihe locks near Dagukou. Length - 72 km. This is an ancient river bed that crosses Tianjin and serves as the natural axis of this city. On both sides of it there are various monuments and attractions of Tianjin. The Haihe Basin is located in an area with coordinates of 112°-120° east longitude and 35°-43° north latitude. The basin covers 5 provinces, 2 cities and one autonomous region, and more than 260 counties. The basin begins with the loess plateau in the western part of the Taihang Mountain region in the east and ends in the east with Bohai Bay. To the south it is bordered by the northern Yellow River Dam. The basin covers two central cities - Beijing and Tianjin, most of Heibei Province, eastern and northern Shanxi Province, and northern Shandong and Henan Provinces. In addition, it also includes a small part of Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. The total area of ​​the pool is 317.8 thousand square meters. km.

The Haihe Water System is one of the most important water systems on the North China Plain. Haihe has many tributaries - Beiyunhe (including Chaobai and Zhaoyun), Yongding, Daqing, Ziya and Nanyunhe. In addition, there are more than 300 rivers, each of which is 10 km long. and more. The fan-shaped Haihe River includes many water systems of its tributaries. The main ones are three systems: southern, western and northern. The southern system includes the Zhanghe and Weihe, Nanyunhe and Ziyahe, which flow into the Haihe; the western includes Daqinghe; the northern one is called Beisihe differently: these are Yunding, Beiyun, Chaobai and Zhaoyun.

Due to the many factors that determine the geological structure and natural conditions North China region, the relief of the basin is distinguished by obvious elevation in the western, northern and southern parts and lowlands on the eastern side. All rivers flow to the east. This is the main reason for the formation of the fan-shaped water system of Haihe. In addition, important factors are also changes in the course of the Yellow River, which took place in history, as well as active anthropogenic impact.

The Haihe Valley is also characterized by uneven rainfall in different areas. Average annual precipitation is 400-800 mm. During flood years, precipitation reaches 1,300-1,400 mm. Due to significant evaporation, the lack of new replenishment from underground sources, as well as artificial dredging, the average annual drainage of the basin is small. In addition, not only does the volume of the drain change rapidly from year to year, it looks different even within one year. It is for these reasons that the history of these places knows many cases of serious natural disasters. Behind last years Beijing was threatened with flooding three times, and Tianjin - 8 times. After the formation of the People's Republic of China, repeated channel cleanups were carried out in the basin's water system, and the danger of natural disasters was largely eliminated.

The basin is famous for its reserves of coal, oil, natural gas and ores. Along Bohai Bay there are vast salt pans covering tens of thousands of hectares. And the Tianjin port at the mouth of Haihe is the largest port in northern China. Today, the Haihe Valley has already become one of the political, economic and cultural centers of China, as well as one of the most important grain-producing and cotton-producing bases in the northern part of China.

Lancangjiang - international waterway

Lancang (Mekong) is born on the northern slopes of the Tangla ridge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The height of the source above sea level is 5,167 meters. The source of the river is in the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province. The river flows from north to south, crossing Qinghai, Tibet, Yunnan, and also passes through the territories of neighboring countries - Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It flows into the sea near the Vietnamese city of Hu Chi Minh.

The river is the only international river in South-East Asia flowing through the territory of six states. The Lancang River (Mekong) is known throughout the world. In terms of length it ranks sixth among the great rivers of the world, and in terms of basin area it ranks 14th.

Lancang has two sources: eastern (Dza-Chu) and western (Ngom-Chu). The upstream is considered to be the section from the source to the Tibetan city of Chamdo. Its length is 564 km. The upper reaches receive water replenishment from melted snow, rain and underground sources. The fall height is 1,850 meters.

After the confluence of tributaries in Chamdo, the river receives the name Lancangjiang. From here the river flows along a wide channel, calmly and evenly. The middle flow is considered to be the section from Chamdo to Gongguo Bridge in Yunnan Province. Its length is 813.7 km. Here the river passes through the high mountainous regions of the Hengduanshan Range, where there are many steep gorges. In this section, the river receives water replenishment from rain and groundwater. The height of the fall is 1,980 meters. The area below the Gungo Bridge is considered downstream. Its length is 724.3 km. Here, low mountains are accompanied by wide gorges and depressions. Water replenishment mainly comes from rains. The height of the fall is 765 meters. Before flowing into the Namloi tributary, the river leaves China, and is then called the Mekong.

The total length of the Chinese section of the river is 2,129 km, of which 448 km. are in Qinghai Province, 465 km. - to Tibet, and 1,216 km. - to Yunnan. The Lancang basin is inhabited by a large number of Chinese minorities. These are the peoples of Dai, Yi, Bai, Nasi, Hui, Tibetans, Lahuts, etc. The basin is renowned for its scenic beauty and rich mineral deposits such as antimony, lead, copper and iron. This is also the area with the richest fauna and flora in China. The fall height in the middle and lower reaches is 2,745 meters, which provides enormous potential for hydropower resources. The picturesque landscape, unique national color and culture of China's national minorities annually attract the interest of an increasing number of tourists from all over the country and the world.

Lakes in China

China is a country with a huge number of lakes. According to estimates by competent organizations, there are more than 2,800 natural (or non-artificial) lakes in China. Each of them has a water surface of 1 square. km. or even more. The total area of ​​the lakes is more than 80 thousand square meters. km. In addition, there are 13 lakes with a surface area of ​​1,000 square meters. km. These lakes cover a total of approximately 29,000 square meters. km.

Lakes in China are located, respectively, in 9 different natural and geographical zones and areas with different climatic conditions: some are in the mountains and plains, others are on continental areas or islands, others are in deserts or swamps, in arid zones or in humid ones. and semi-humid areas. This explains the diversity of lakes in China. Based on the reasons for their formation, lakes are divided into the following categories: tectonic, volcanic, glacial, dammed, karst, wind erosion lakes, river and lagoons. According to the hydrochemical composition, the waters of the lake are divided into salt, salt-water and freshwater.

The vast majority of Chinese lakes receive direct water replenishment from their respective rivers, so the lakes are integral part relevant water systems. The geographical location of these lakes greatly depends on the particular area where the lakes receive water replenishment, which is why one of the most important factors is, among others, the water regime. Due to certain factors such as natural and geographical conditions, climatic conditions, external and internal (inland) rivers in our country are not similar to each other and have completely different characteristics.

Based on the characteristics of Chinese rivers, it would be possible to draw a line across the territory of China that would start from the southern section of the Greater Khingan, then cross the Yinshan mountain range and the eastern section of the Qilian mountain range and end at the Gandhisishan mountain range. To the southeast of this line are lake districts that receive water from external rivers. Because lake water flows out of the lake, salt does not accumulate here, and therefore there are mainly freshwater lakes, which are concentrated on both sides of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The main ones are Poyanghu, Dongtinghu, Taihu, Hongzehu, Hulunhu, etc.

These lakes have huge natural resources. To the northwest of this line there are lake areas that receive water replenishment from inland rivers. Since these lakes are located far from the seashore, water does not flow out of the lakes; a huge amount of salt accumulates here due to strong evaporation. Water contains a huge amount of salt. The water contains common salt, mirabilite, gypsum, boron ores and other industrial raw materials. The most characteristic of this area is Lake Qinghai (Kukunor), the largest salt lake in China. Lakes in China are mainly located in five large lake regions. This is a lake region in the plains and mountains of Northeast China; lake region on the plains of Eastern China; lake region on the Mongol-Xinjiang plateau; the lake region on the Qinghai-Tibean Plateau and the lake region on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

Lake region on the plains and mountains of Northeast China. Total area - 3,952 sq. km, which is 5.4% of the total lake area of ​​the country. The area is located in the temperate zone, where semi-humid seasonal winds predominate. Lakes receive abundant water replenishment and are usually divided into two categories: a) Lakes that were formed directly as a result of the volcanic movement of the Quaternary era. Characteristic of this are five interconnected lakes in Dedu County, Heilongjiang Province, Jingpohu Lake on the Mudanjiang River, and Tianchi Lake in the Changbai Mountains on the Sino-Korean border. These lakes are distinguished by their large water surface and great depth; b) Numerous large and small lakes in bogs and swamps. They are usually shallow and have a relatively high salt content.

Lake region on the plains of Eastern China. This refers to large and small lakes located on both sides of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze and Huaihe, the lower reaches of the Yellow River, Haihe, as well as on both sides of the large Beijing-Hangzhou Canal. Total area - 1,847 sq. km, which is 2.94% of the country's lake area. This area is characterized by a high density of lakes. Here are the most famous five freshwater lakes in China - Poyanghu, Dongtinghu, Taihu, Hongzehu and Chaohu.

Mongolian-Xinjiang plateau region of lakes. Total area - 9,106 sq. km, which is 12.2% of the total lake area of ​​the country. The Mongol-Xinjiang lake region is located in inland China. It is far from the sea. The climate is dry, with little precipitation. Due to significant evaporation, water is lost faster than it is supplied, resulting in a constant thickening and increasing salt content.

Qinghai-Tibet plateau lake region. Total area - 37,487 square meters. km, or 50.5% of the total lake area of ​​the country. This is a group of the largest and most numerous inland lakes located on the highest mountainous terrain on Earth. At the same time, this is the area with the most densely located lakes in our country. The lakes here are mainly salty or semi-salty. The water is usually deep. In winter, the lakes freeze for quite a long time.

Yunnan-Guizhou plateau lake region. Total area - 1,077 sq. km. The region occupies approximately 1.4% of the country's total lake area. The lakes here are located mainly in the central and western parts of Yunnan Province. Medium and small freshwater lakes predominate here.

Geographical position

China is located in East Asia, in the east it is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The area of ​​the territory is 9.6 million square meters. km. China, second only to Russia and Canada, ranks 3rd in the world. In the meridian direction, the territory of China extends for 5.5 thousand km. - from the Heilongjiang (Amur) River near the northern city of Mohe to the coral reefs of Zengmuansha south of the Nanshaquundao archipelago. In the latitudinal direction - 5.2 thousand km. from the confluence of the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers to the western spurs of the Pamirs.

The length of the country's land border is 22.8 thousand km. In the east, China borders with the DPRK, in the north with Mongolia, and in the northeast with Russia. China's northwestern neighbors are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan lie on the country's western and southwestern borders. In the south, China neighbors Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

To the east and southeast of the coast of China are the Republic of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. The length of the coastline of mainland China is more than 18 thousand km. The coast of China is flat with a large number of convenient ice-free harbors. China in the east and south is washed by the waters of the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean (Yellow, East China and South China Seas), as well as the Bohai Sea, which is an inland sea of ​​China. The total area of ​​territorial waters is 4.73 million square meters. km.

The territory of China includes 5.4 thousand islands. The largest of them is Taiwan (36 thousand sq. km), the second largest is Hainan (34 thousand sq. km). The Diaoyu and Chiweiyu Islands, located northeast of Taiwan, are the easternmost territories of China. The groups of islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea - Dongshaqundao, Xishaqundao, Zhongshaqundao, Nanshaqundao and Nanwei - make up China's southern border.

Relief

The relief of China was formed under the influence of tectonic processes that began several million years ago, caused by the collision of the Hindustan and Eurasian plates. The territory of China resembles a four-step “staircase” descending from west to east, its upper part, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, rises continuously, its average height exceeds 4,000 m above sea level, often called the “roof of the world.”

On the western border of the highland are the Great Himalayas with the main peak Chomolungma (8844.43 m above sea level) - the highest peak in the world. The second stage consists of the Inner Mongolia highlands, the Loess Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Highlands with the Tarim Basin located here, as well as the Dzungarian and Sichuan basins. The average altitude of the area is 2,000-1,000 m above sea level.

From the eastern edge of the second stage - the eastern spurs of the Greater Khingan (Daxinganling), the Taihangshan, Wushan and Xuefengshan mountains - the third stage of the staircase extends to the east, its height decreases to 1,000-500 m above sea level. Here, from north to south, the Northeast, North China Plains and the Middle and Lower Yangtze Plains are located, framed by small mountains and hills. The fourth stage is extensive areas of the continental shelf up to 200 m deep.

Climate

Most of China's territory is in northern zone temperate climate, characterized primarily by a pronounced change of seasons and monsoon rains. From September to April, harsh winter winds from Siberia and Mongolia create a dry and cold climate and large temperature differences between north and south.

From April to September, warm and humid summer monsoons come from the eastern and southern seas, at this time it is hot and rainy, the temperature difference between north and south is insignificant. The territory of China includes 6 climatic zones: equatorial, tropical, subtropical, warm-temperate, temperate and cold-temperate. The amount of precipitation gradually decreases from the southeast to the northwest, and there is a big difference in the average annual precipitation in all regions of the country, in the southeast - 1,500 mm, in the northwest - only 200 mm.

Rivers and lakes

China has a large number of rivers. The basins of more than one and a half thousand rivers exceed 1,000 square meters. km. The sources of the main rivers are located on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, from where their waters flow to the plains. Large differences in altitude create favorable conditions for the use of hydropower resources, the reserves of which amount to 680 million kW and rank first in the world.

The rivers of China form systems with external and internal flows. The total drainage area of ​​landlocked rivers covers 64% of the country's territory. These include the Yangtze, Yellow River, Heilongjiang, Zhujiang, Liaohe, Haihe, Huaihe, etc., flowing from west to east and flowing into the Pacific Ocean; The Yalutsangpo River originates on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and flows into the Indian Ocean; in its bed there is the largest canyon in the world with a length of 504.6 km. and with a unique depth of 6.009 m. The Ercis River (Irtysh) flows through Xinjiang to the north and flows into the Arctic Ocean. Rivers with internal flow flow into lakes or are lost in deserts. Their drainage area covers 36% of the country's territory. The longest of them is Tarim in Xinjiang - 2,179 km.

The largest river in China is the Yangtze, whose length (6,300 km) is second only to the Nile and the Amazon. The upper course of the Yangtze runs through high mountains and deep valleys. It conceals rich water resources. The Yangtze is the main and most convenient shipping route of the country, running from west to east. It is naturally adapted for navigation; it is not for nothing that in China the Yangtze is called the “golden transport artery.” The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze are characterized by a warm and humid climate, abundant rainfall and soil fertility, which creates ideal conditions for the development of agriculture. This is where the main breadbasket of the country is located.

The second largest river in China is the Yellow River (5,464 km). The Yellow River basin is rich in fertile fields, lush pastures, and the depths contain huge deposits of minerals. The banks of the Yellow River are the cradle of the Chinese nation, from here the origins of ancient Chinese culture can be traced. Heilongjiang (Amur) is the largest river in northern China. The total length is 4,350 km, of which 3,101 km. on the territory of China. The Pearl River is 2,214 km long. - the deepest in Southern China. In addition to natural waterways, China has the famous man-made Grand Canal, which connects the Haihe, Yellow River, Huaihe, Yangtze and Qiantang River systems. It was laid in the 5th century BC, stretches from north to south from Beijing to the city of Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province) for 1,801 km, it is the oldest and longest artificial canal in the world.

There are many lakes in China. Most of them are located on the plains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Plain lakes are usually freshwater, the largest of which are Poyanghu, Dongtinghu, Taihu and Hongzehu. The largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake, is located in the north of Jiangxi province; the surface of the lake is 3,583 square meters. km. The lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are mostly salty, these are Qinghaihu (Kukunor), Namuhu (Namtso), Qilinhu (Selling), etc. The largest salt lake in the country is Qinghaihu (northeast of the Qinghai province), its area is 4,583 sq. km.

Land resources and minerals

China is extremely rich in land resources and minerals. There are huge areas of various types of soil, arable land, forests and steppes, deserts, etc. Arable land is concentrated in the east of China, steppes are located mainly in the west and north, forests are in the remote northeastern and southwestern regions.

Currently, the area of ​​cultivated land in China is 130.04 million hectares. The main agricultural regions are the Northeast and North China Plains, the Middle and Lower Yangtze Plains, the Pearl River Delta and the Sichuan Basin. North-Eastern Plain with an area of ​​350 thousand square meters. km. is the largest in the country; wheat, corn, soybeans, kaoliang, sugar beets and bast crops are cultivated on its fertile black soils.

The North China Plain is formed by thick sediments, where brown soils predominate. Rich harvests of wheat, corn, millet, cotton and other crops are harvested here. The plains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze are low and flat, there are many lakes in an intricate interweaving of rivers and rivulets. It is an ideal location for growing many crops, including tea; Freshwater fish species are bred in reservoirs. This area is rightly called the “land of rice and fish.” Violet soils predominate in the Sichuan Basin. In a warm and humid climate, good harvests of jellied rice, rapeseed and sugar cane are harvested here all year round. The Pearl River Delta produces two to three bountiful rice harvests per year.

The forest area in China is 174.91 million hectares. The largest forest tracts are located in the Greater and Lesser Khingan regions, in the Changbai Mountains in the northeast, where the main types of tree species are cedar, larch, birch, oak, Manchurian ash, elm and poplar. Southwestern China ranks second in forest reserves. It is rich in valuable wood species, including spruce, fir, Yunnan pine, pompelmus, sandalwood, camphor and mahogany, as well as nanmu wood. Xishuangbanna is a unique place in the south of Yunnan province. The local impenetrable tropical jungle, in which more than 5 thousand species of flora grow, is rightly called the “plant kingdom.”

The area of ​​natural pastures in China is about 400 million hectares. IN steppe zone, extending over 3,000 km. from the northeast to the southwest of the country, a large number of cattle breeding and livestock bases have been created. The leader in the vastness of natural pastures is Inner Mongolia, famous for its elite livestock breeds. Business card Local livestock breeding includes Sanhe bull and horse, as well as Mongolian sheep. Xinjiang is an important breeding base for the famous Yili horse and Xinjiang fine-wool sheep.

China ranks one of the first in the world in terms of total area of ​​arable land, pastures and forests, but due to its huge population, these figures in per capita terms are reduced to a minimum. This primarily applies to the area of ​​arable land - this figure is only a third of the world average per capita.

China is rich in mineral resources. Here, as they say, “almost the entire periodic table is presented.” Geologists have confirmed the presence of industrial reserves of 158 minerals. In terms of their total reserves, China ranks third in the world. China is among the world leaders in reserves of a number of major minerals - coal, iron, copper, aluminum, antimony, molybdenum, manganese, tin, lead, zinc and mercury. Coal reserves in China are estimated at 332.6 billion tons. The richest coal deposits are located in Xinjiang, Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Reserves iron ore amount to 21.6 billion tons, the most significant deposits are located in the north, northeast and southwest of the country. China is rich in oil natural gas, oil shale, phosphorus and sulfur. The main oil fields have been explored in the northwestern, northeastern and northern regions, as well as on the continental shelf off the eastern coasts. In terms of reserves of rare earth metals, China surpasses all countries of the world combined.

Flora and fauna

In terms of diversity of wild animal species, China ranks one of the first in the world. It is home to more than 6,266 species of vertebrates, including 2,404 species of land vertebrates and 3,862 species of fish, representing about 10% of the vertebrate species living on Earth. The giant panda, golden monkey, South China tiger, brown hen, Manchurian crane, red-footed ibis, white dolphin, Chinese alligator and other rare fauna are endemic to China. The giant panda with fluffy black and white fur belongs to the large mammals, feeds on young bamboo shoots, its weight reaches 135 kg. With just over 1,700 giant pandas remaining on the planet, they have become an international symbol of wildlife conservation. The Manchurian crane is a symbol of longevity in East Asia. Its height reaches 1.2 m, the colors of the plumage are originally combined white and black, and there is bare skin of bright red color on the head. The white dolphin is one of two freshwater cetacean species. It was first discovered in the Yangtze in 1980 and attracted great interest from ichthyologists in different countries.

China has an exceptionally rich flora; there are 32 thousand species of higher plants alone. Among them are almost all plants characteristic of cold, temperate and tropical zones Northern Hemisphere, more than 7 thousand species of tree plants, including 2.8 thousand species of trees. Unique species unique to China include Metasequoia glyptostrobovidae, Glyptostrobus chinensis, Chinese argyrophylla, cunningamia, false larch, Taiwanese fluusiana, Fujian cypress, Davidia, Eucommia, "Xishu". Metasequoia glyptostroboid as a relict plant is included in the list of the rarest plants in the world. False larch grows in the mountainous regions of the Yangtze basin, on its short branches there are bunches of leaves that resemble coppers, they are green in summer and yellow in autumn. False larch, along with other 4 rare species of trees, is widely used in landscape gardening. In China, there are more than 2 thousand species of edible plants and over 3 thousand species of medicinal plants. The most valuable of them are Changbaishan ginseng, Tibetan safflower, Ningxia lycium and Ginura pinnateris, growing in Yunnan and Guizhou. The Chinese flora is rich in flowers and ornamental plants; the most beautiful is considered to be the peony, which originally grows here and is called the “king of flowers” ​​by the Chinese. U tree peony The flowers are especially large, bright and lush; it is recognized as one of the national symbols of China.

South China Karst

China is one of the countries with the largest carbonate rocks in the world, and it is in southern China that the most typical and diverse karst formations have formed. South China karst centered in Guizhou province, covering an area of ​​about 600,000 square meters. km., considered the largest single karst formation in the world, it includes the eastern part of Yunnan Province, most of Guizhou, and partially includes Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei and Guangdong. With a high plateau (average altitude 2,000-2,200 m above sea level) in the northwest and a lowland plain (average altitude 100-120 m above sea level) in the southeast, its topography features a giant slope descending from the northwest to the southeast.

The Chinese government nominated the South China Karst for the title of world natural heritage. The South China Karst includes three areas - Chongqing Wulong Karst (gorge), Guizhou Libo Karst (conical formations) and Yunnan Stone Forest Karst (sharp rocks). Their total area is 476 square meters. km., area of ​​buffer zones - 984 sq. km.

From different perspectives, these karst areas reflect the unique natural features of South China's topography, highlighting its special and representative karst topography, karst ecosystems and biodiversity, and unique natural beauty.

From a geological point of view, the South China Karst region is located on the southwestern edge of the Yangtze massif. During most of the Paleozoic and early Mesozoic periods (Cambrian to Triassic), the region was covered by ocean. Thousands of meters of dense carbonate sediments were formed, especially during the late Paleozoic era. Due to the movement of the earth, starting in the late Triassic period, this area began to rise, came out of the water and began to develop karst forms.

Due to the formation of the Himalayas since the late Tertiary period, there has been a rapid rise in this region, which is reflected in the present sloping topography. As a result of a long and complex geological evolution, karst formations unique in their diversity were formed in this region, including the most typical karst formations in the world - tower karst (Fenglin), sharp-rock karst (Stone Forest) and cone karst (Fengcun), as well as unusual karst phenomena such as Tiankeng (giant karst well) and Difeng (deep karst crack). In addition, there are numerous underground cave systems and rich cave deposits. All this makes this area the world's “museum of continental tropical-subtropical karst” due to its incomparable richness and uniqueness.

On the territory of the South China Karst, dense carbonate layers deposited during the Cambrian to Triassic period contain the most important fossils for world science, which are the most important evidence of life on Earth.

The nominated area is characterized by great biological diversity, large quantities contains rare, endangered and characteristic species of plants and animals. The karst areas of Chongqing and Guizhou are home to more than 6,000 species of higher plants, including D. involucrate, C. argyrophyll, Cycasguizhouensis, Taxuschinensis, and others rare species. This karst formation is home to not only a variety of animals - birds, amphibians, fish and cave animals - but also many endangered and characteristic species of animals, such as Presbytisfrancoisi, Neofelisnebulosa, Aqilachrysaetos, Moschusberezovskit, etc. The nominated area is a nature reserve for many endangered animal and plant species.

The rich and unique karst formations of the nominated area have a unique natural beauty. Many of the areas have been traditional landmarks for hundreds of years. The Tiankengs in Chongqing, the Stone Forest in Yunnan and the waterfalls in Guizhou are natural wonders known throughout the world.

Karst Chongqing Wulong

Wulong Karst is located in the lower reaches of the Wujiang River southeast of Chongqing. It consists of three karst systems—Sanqiao Natural Bridges, Furong Jiang Karst, and Houping Tiankengs—which are located in the north, southeast, and northeast of Wulong County, respectively. It consists of gorges, natural bridges, tiankengs, caves, underground currents, sometimes reaching the surface, developed in carbonate rocks.

The platform of this area is characterized by two mountain plains with an elevation of 1,800-2,000 m and 1,200-1,500 m deep gorges. Three karst systems are located on the banks, in the interfluves and in the upper reaches of the tributaries of the Wujiang River, respectively. They form a connected community that develops in harmony with each other.

January 2006 - Wulong Karst applied for the title of World Natural Heritage as part of the South China Karst.

Karst Guizhou Libo

Libo Karst, nominated for the title of World Natural Heritage under the South China Karst application, is located in Libo County, Bui and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of South Guizhou, Guizhou Province. Its average height above sea level is 747 m with a range from 385 to 1,109 m.

It is a typical example of conical karst in the transition zone between the Guizhou Plateau and the Guangxi Lowland. Its outstanding qualities are ensured by the full spectrum of gradual transition from plateau karst to lowland karst. Conical karst contains a rich diversity of biological species, this special karst forest ecosystem is home to many species of endangered fauna.

90% of the population of the nominated area are national minorities with a rich culture. The exotic culture of the local people of Shui, Yao, Bui and others is unique and vibrant. The boundaries of the nominated site are established on the basis of the geomorphological development and distribution of karst, the karst forest ecosystem and the habitat of rare and endangered species.

The Libo karst consists of a main zone of 29,518 hectares and a buffer zone of 43,498 hectares. Main zone National Nature Reserve Maolan covers 21,684 hectares, occupying 73.46% of the Libo cone zone.

Criteria that meet the requirements of the World Natural Heritage:

An outstanding example representing major stages of the Earth's evolutionary history, including evidence of life, significant ongoing geological processes in landform development, or significant geomorphic or physiographic properties; Is an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater and marine ecosystems and plant and animal communities; Contains the most important and significant natural habitat conditions for the conservation of biological diversity in the area, including endangered species of outstanding scientific or conservation value.

Stone Forest Karst in Yunnan Province

Stone Forest National Park is located in Shilin Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, 80 km away. southeast of Kunming city. It covers an area of ​​350 sq. km. and includes the Main Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Changhu Lake, Great Waterfall, etc.

Over 300 million years, as a result of the movement of the earth's crust, this area turned from sea to land, from the lower reaches to a plateau. The original carbonate rock formed in the ocean miraculously turned into a “rock forest.” During its evolution, the Stone Forest was covered with volcanic lava and lake water. Therefore, the formation of the Stone Forest can truly be called a legendary geological phenomenon on a global scale.

The stone forest has the richest morphological properties. Thanks to unique geological evolution, numerous clusters of rock forest formations, formed during different geological periods, coexist in a variety of topographies, each with unique features. There are pointed rocks, columnar and mushroom-shaped groups, and pagoda-shaped groups. Since almost all typical pointed karst formations can be defined as a stone forest, the park is known throughout the world as the “Stone Forest Museum”.

Walking through the stone forest, visitors admire the masterpieces created by nature; the bizarre shapes fascinate them. The delightful, unusual and fractured landscape creates countless intertwined labyrinths.

These include the Main Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest and the Naigu Stone Forest, which consist of various rock formations. Here you can find animals, plants and even human figures. Some resemble elephants, some resemble scraps or rags, but there is no doubt that they are all completely unique.

The underground stone forest in Zhiyun Cave is an underground stone forest distributed over several caves and covering a total area of ​​about 3 square meters. km. “Mysterious Wind Cave” consists of Penfeng Cave, Hongxi Spring and an underground river. From August to November, a vortex, lasting 2-3 minutes, bursts out of the cave every 30 minutes. The elongated Changhu Lake is a karst lake 3 km long. and only 300 meters wide. The lake has underwater stalactites and stalagmites and a small island in the center. The source of the Dade Waterfall is the Ba River, a tributary of the Nanpan River. During the rainy season up to 150 cubic meters. m. of water per sq. inches fall from a height of 88 meters.

Every year on the 24th or 25th of the sixth month lunar calendar The people of Sanya gather in the Stone Forest for the "Torch Festival". Visitors are invited to admire the folk dances and wrestling competitions of Sani's youth.