Chinese Rivers
Yellow River & Yangtze River
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Chinese Rivers
Yellow River &
Yangtze River
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The Yangtze (Long River)
is the third longest river in the world. It is about 4000 miles long. It
floods each year and leaves fertile soil along the banks. The Yangtze
River has high banks, which keeps homes safe from the annual flooding.
The Huang He (Yellow River) is
about 3000 miles long. It also floods each year. The banks along the Huang
He River are low. Civilization in ancient China began along the Yellow
River about 5000 years ago.
These early people called all rivers in China by the
nickname "The Great Sorrow". That is because
each year during the flood season, all homes along the Huang He River were
destroyed. Each year, the ancient Chinese had to rebuild their homes and
their lives.
Over time, people learned the techniques of flood
control. The rich began to built their homes high above the river.
Not all of China's geography acted as barriers. Some of their natural
features provided fertile soil and safe drinking water. China has two
major river systems - the Yellow River (Huang He)
and the Yangtze River (Long River).
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