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.
