mother river

UK [ˈmʌðə(r) ˈrɪvə(r)]

US [ˈmʌðər ˈrɪvər]

母亲河

Which river is the "mother river" of China?

哪一条河流是中国的“母亲河”？

Which river is the "mother river" of America?

The Mississippi river is the "mother river" of the United states. And Americans also call it old man river.

Mississippi

UK [ˌmɪsəˈsɪpi]

US [ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi]

n.

密西西比（1．美国南部之一州，略作 Miss．；2．美国一河名，注入墨西哥湾）

我则在密西西比河中垂钓。

I fished in the Mississippi. （River)

the state of Mississippi.

On the other side, the Yangtze river and the yellow river are the "mother river" of China.

纪录片：密西西比

the Yangtse / Yangtze River

the Yangtze River

UK [ðə 'jæŋzɪ ˈrɪvə(r)]

US [ðə 'jæŋzɪ ˈrɪvər]

长江；扬子江

因为长江的别名 为扬子江、天堑、九派、母亲河。Yangtze River 是按照扬子江这个别名音译过来的。长江发源于“世界屋脊”——青藏高原的唐古拉山脉各拉丹冬峰西南侧，是中华民族的母亲河 。干流流经青海、西藏、四川、云南、重庆、湖北、湖南、江西、安徽、江苏、上海11个省、自治区、直辖市，于崇明岛以东注入东海，全长6397km。

the Yellow River

UK [ðə ˈjeləʊ ˈrɪvə(r)]

US [ðə ˈjeloʊ ˈrɪvər]

黄河；中国的黄河

黄河，全长约5464公里中国第二长河。黄河发源于青藏高原巴颜喀拉山北麓的约古宗列盆地，自西向东分别流经青海、四川、甘肃、宁夏、内蒙古、陕西、山西、河南及山东9个省（自治区），最后流入渤海。

注意河流前面加定冠词the, 为什么呢？当表示专有名词时，需要加the , 如 the Yangtz River 长江， the Yellow River, 黄河，

the Mississippi River 密西西比河.

Which river is longer, the Yellow River or the Yangtze River?

哪条河长一些，黄河还是长江？

长江全长6397km，比起黄河的（5464km）还要长900余公里。

So, the Yangtze River is longer than the Yellow River.

The Yellow River is the longest in China next to the Yangtse River.

在中国，黄河是仅次于长江的最长的河。

The Yellow River is one of the longest rivers in china.

黄河是中国最长的河流之一。

motherland

UK [ˈmʌðəlænd]

US [ˈmʌðərlænd]

n.

祖国

She has got the Yangtze River and the Yellow river.

她有长江和黄河。

The Yellow River flows into the Bohai sea.

黄河流进渤海。

China's ancient culture originated in the Yellow River basin.

中国古代文化发祥于黄河流域。

The Yellow River was the cradle of Chinese civilization.

黄河是我国文化的摇篮。

现在来看the Mississippi River

Oil leaking from a barge in the Mississippi River poses a hazard to the drinking water of New Orleans.

密西西比河上驳船漏油事件危及新奥尔良市的饮用水。

The Mississippi Rive

Fall colors abound along the banks of this northern stretch of the Mississippi River in the US state of Minnesota.

The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America. Flowing entirely within the United States, it drains (when accounting for its major tributaries) an area of approximately 3.1 million square kilometers, which is roughly one-eighth of the size of the North American continent. The river rises in Lake Itasca in Minnesota before flowing southwards towards the continental interior, collecting the waters of the Ohio and Missouri rivers along the way, and ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico through a vast delta lying southeast of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The total distance covered by the Mississippi River from its source to the Gulf is estimated to be around 3,766 kilometers.

4. Historical Role

Before the settlement of the region by European colonials and Americans, the Mississippi River played an important role in the lives of the aboriginal peoples of America. These natives depended on this river for transport and fishing, and the Native Americans also developed an extensive agricultural system based along the Mississippi.

However, as the Europeans started immigrating ever deeper into the continent, they started exploring the river and plundered the southern tribes. In the late 17th century, the French explorer La Salle realized the immense potential of the huge drainage system, and claimed the entire river basin for his native France. Soon thereafter, the Mississippi increasingly came to serve as a vital link between the French settlements in the Gulf of Mexico and those well to the north in Canada. The Spaniards were also not ready to let go of this treasured real estate, and asserted their own claims of dominance over the region.

Displacing both the French and the Spaniards, the newly formed United States soon became the torch bearer of Mississippi exploration. In 1811, the first steamboat, the New Orleans, appeared on the river. Soon thereafter, commercial traffic started operating on the river, allowing transport of people, goods, and armories up, down, and across the river. The river increasingly became a valuable asset to the people of the country, as it continues to be to this very day.

3. Modern Significance

The Mississippi River is one of the greatest natural resources of the United States. It has been essential to the growth and development of the country since the Industrial Revolution.

Water Source

The river is the key source of drinking water for millions of Americans today, with a recent study estimating that close to 15 million people rely on the river for their water intake and sanitation needs in just the upper half of its basin alone. More than 50 major American cities are dependent on this river for their water supply. The huge agribusiness industry that has developed in the Mississippi’s basin generates 92% of the nation's agricultural exports.

Fish

The river and its tributaries are a rich source of fish and other aquatic organisms which serve as a source of food and commerce for America, with thousands of Americans being either directly or indirectly involved in the fishing and fisheries industry based on this river's ecosystems. In fact, 25% of America’s seafood is derived from the fisheries of the Mississippi Delta.

Navigation

The river also serves as a crucial navigation route to carry out trade between the heartland of America and the rest of the world. 60% of the grain exported from U.S. is shipped along the Mississippi to the area in and around the major port city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

2. Habitat

The Mississippi River Delta provides one of the most productive wetland ecosystems in all of North America. The deposition of rich sediments, and the mingling of brackish waters of the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater from the river at the Mississippi delta region allows a large variety of plant and animal life to flourish there. Forests, marshes, swamps, estuaries, and islands have formed all along the banks and delta of the river, supporting the growth of a diverse range of species upon them.

Wildlife

More than 400 species of birds inhabit the Mississippi's delta, including a number of migratory species that count among them millions of individual ducks and geese. The hardwood forests and swamps in the upper reaches of the delta host such birds as the rusty blackbird, wading birds, and songbirds. The salt marshes and islands of the delta supports birds like clapper tails, seaside sparrows, brown pelican, herons, egrets, gulls, and terns. Mammals found along the Mississippi delta include black bears, minks, beavers, armadillos, coyotes, bobcats, and feral hogs.

Aquatic Life

The Mississippi River Delta is also very rich in aquatic life, with some important seafood species, like shrimp, blue crabs, and craw-fish, as well as other edible species, such as the paddle-fish and alligator gar, being found therein. American alligators, Mississippi Diamondback River Terrapins, snakes, and sea turtles also inhabit the Mississippi Delta. At times, Bottle-nose dolphins and sperm whales are also spotted in the estuaries and deep offshore waters adjoining the river.

1. Threats and Disputes

Human intervention has led to an extensive modification of the natural flow of the Mississippi River. Locks, dams, and barrages constructed on the river have impacted the natural flow of the river, with the ultimate result being that large tracts of its floodplains receive low amounts of water, in turn diminishing the biodiversity in those areas. As the water flow to the Gulf of Mexico has been altered by the artificial obstructions now found along the Mississippi, large tracts of coastal estuaries are starved of sediment, creating an increasingly "dead zone" bordering the Gulf. The decrease in the number of protective marshes and wetlands in the coastal areas render the cities at the mouth of the delta extremely vulnerable to catastrophic natural disasters. The Mississippi River also appears to be the most polluted river in the US, with an estimated 125 million pounds of toxic waste being released into the river in the year 2010 alone.

Cities on the Mississippi River

The magnificent Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States as it covers a total distance of 2,202 miles. Its source is Lake Itasca in Minnesota, from where it flows due south and connects to two of its major tributaries known as the Ohio River and Missouri River as it heads to the Gulf of Mexico. There are seven major riverfront towns that are found along the Mississippi River namely Memphis (TN), Minneapolis (MN), New Orleans (LA), St. Louis (MO), Saint Paul (MN), Baton Rouge (LA), and Davenport (IA).

Cities on the Mississippi River

Memphis, TN

Memphis is the 2nd largest and most populous city in Tennessee with a population of 646,889. Popularly known as the home of blues, soul and rock “n” roll music, the city adorns the magic of the Mississippi River. One can enjoy a riverside drive along the river as they relish the beauty of the city. Besides, the glow of lights that illuminates the Big River Crossing between October and May is a beautiful sight to behold.

Minneapolis, MN

The city of Minneapolis in Minnesota enjoys so many accolades that explain why it is a favorite to many. The city is famous for being the “Most Literate City”, “Most Giving” (in 2011, over 40% of the population were involved in volunteer work), and “3rd Most Cycling-Friendly Urban Area” in America. Minneapolis has a population of 382,578.

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is the city of having fun, events, parties, and cultural attractions. It is found 105 miles up River Mississippi from the Gulf of Mexico. With a population of 343,829, it is the most populous town in Louisiana. The Jazz and Heritage Festival, City Tour of New Orleans, Cruises, Sailing, and Water Tours are some of the tourist attractions in the city.

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, Missouri, has an estimated population of 319,294. It acts as the economic and cultural center of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Nicknamed “Gateway to the West”, the city is found along the western bank of the Mississippi River. The border between Missouri and Illinois is located at this spot. From the source of the river at Lake Itasca to St. Louis, there are 43 dams that moderate the flow of Mississippi River water.

Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul is the second most populous and capital city of the state of Minnesota. Statistics in 2018 estimated its population as 285,068. Saint Paul lies on the east bank of the Mississippi River which is adjacent to the river’s point of confluence. Saint Paul adjoins Minneapolis resulting in the two cities being popularly known as “Twin Cities.”

Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge is the capital city of the state of Louisiana. It is located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. Many historic attractions and sites in Baton Rouge are found along the Mississippi River waterfront. The population of the city is 229,493.

Davenport, IA

Davenport, Iowa is a city that is nestled along the mighty Mississippi River where it flows from the east to west. The city’s attractions include The River Music Experience, Rhythm City Casino, and Figge Art Museum. Visitors can also enjoy some jazz and blues from the local musicians over drinks offered at the Redstone Room. The population of Davenport is 99,685.

Economic Benefits from the River

The river acts as the lifeline of the cities based on its banks. The water from the river is utilized for numerous purposes like domestic consumption or for running factories. Fishing in the river is an important economic activity. The cities on the Mississippi River also enjoy benefits from the tourism industry due to the large number of people who visit the river for recreational purposes. In most cities, tourist attractions have been built along the magnificent waterfront.

7. Where Is The Mississippi River Located? -

The Mississippi River is the primary river of the largest drainage system in the entire continent of North America. The river flows entirely within the boundaries of the US. However, its drainage basin stretches into Canada. From its source, the Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the Mississippi River meanders southwards to form the Mississippi River Delta at its mouth before draining into the Gulf of Mexico. The river, its tributaries, and distributaries drain thirty-one states in the US as well as two Canadian provinces. The Mississippi River itself flows through 10 US states.

6. Who Discovered The Mississippi River? -

In 1539, an adventurous European explorer Hernando de Soto set out to explore the unknown lands in the New World. Soto and his group of over 200 men traveled from what is now modern day Tampa, Florida in the southeastern direction in the hope of discovering treasures. On his way, on May 8, 1541, Soto became the first person with a recorded history of reaching the Mississippi River. At that time, he called the river Río del Espíritu Santo which in Spanish means "River of the Holy Spirit.” Late, in the 17th century, the river was explored by a group of French explorers who were accompanied by a Sioux Indian who gave the river a new name Ne Tongo meaning “Big River.”

5. Where Does The Mississippi River Start? -

Lake Itasca, a small glacial lake located in southeastern Clearwater County of the US state of Minnesota, is from where the Mississippi River originates. The lake encompasses an area of about 1.8 square miles in the Itasca State Park. The depth of the lake averages 6-11 m, and it is located 450 m above sea level.

4. How Long Is The Mississippi River? -

There are several competing claims regarding the length of the Mississippi River. According to the published reports of the US Geologic Survey, the Mississippi is 2,552 miles long. The EPA claims that the river is 2,320 miles long. The staff of the Itasca State Park where the river originates claim that the Mississippi River is 2,552 miles long. Another figure of 2,350 miles is suggested by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. However, whatever be the actual figure, the fact that the Mississippi River is one of the longest river systems in the world remains true.

3. How Wide Is The Mississippi River? -

The width of the Mississippi River varies along its length. The river is narrowest at its source in the Lake Itasca where it is 20 to 30 feet wide. The widest stretch of the river occurs near Bena, Minnesota where it forms the Lake Winnibigoshish. Here, the Mississippi River is over 17 km wide. The lower Mississippi portion of the Mississippi River is the widest navigable stretch of the river where the river is more than 1.6 km wide.

2. How Deep Is The Mississippi River? -

Like its width, the depth of the Mississippi River varies greatly from its mouth to its source. The river's depth is less than 3 feet at its origin. The maximum depth of the Mississippi River is 200 feet in New Orleans as it flows from the Governor Nicholls Wharf to the Algiers Point.

1. Where Does The Mississippi River End? -

The Mississippi River after its confluence with the Ohio River is known as the Lower Mississippi River. The other major tributaries joining the river at this stage are the White River, Arkansas River, and the Red River. The major distributary of the Lower Mississippi River is the Atchafalaya River which carries 30% of the water of the river and drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The rest of the Mississippi River continues down the original Mississippi channel past Baton Rouge and New Orleans and finally enters the Gulf of Mexico, 100 miles downstream of New Orleans.

Mississippi River is among the largest river systems in the world in terms of size, biological productivity, and habitat diversity. The river has been the center of American commerce, history, literature, and agriculture for many years. The length of the river from its source in the north-western part of Minnesota at Lake Itasca to its mouth found in the Gulf of Mexico covers a distance of 2,348 miles. Mississippi River is the second-longest in the US after Missouri river, which covers a distance of 2,466 miles. The Mississippi River drains an area of about 1.2 million square miles covering approximately 40% of the US land area, making it the fifth-largest drainage basin in the world. Currently, the Mississippi river supports a more substantial portion of the upper Midwest economy. The Barges and their tows found in the upper Mississippi move about 175 million tons of cargo every year. It is estimated that the river transports about 60% of the grain shipment in the US, about 22% of oil and gas, and 20% of coal shipments in the US. Some of the major tributaries of the Mississippi River include the following.

Arkansas River

The Arkansas River is among the main tributaries of the Mississippi River that flows from west to east. The river originates in Colorado and empties its waters into the Mississippi River. It stretches for 1,469 miles flowing through the states Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. It is the 6th longest river in the country, the 2nd longest tributary of the Mississippi River, and the 45th longest globally. The mouth of the Arkansas River is located at Napoleon in Arkansas and has a drainage basin of about 170,000 square miles. The river has a discharge volume of 40,000 cubic feet per second coming in third place after Ohio and Missouri rivers regarding mean discharge volume.

The Arkansas River can be divided into three distinct parts along its course. The first section is from its headwaters, which begin near Leadville in Colorado. The river in this section has deep and fast flowing waters through the Rockies and has narrow valleys. Along this portion, the river supports whitewater rafting, particularly at Royal Gorge Brown’s Canyon, and granite in Colorado. The second part of the river starts at the Canon city in Colorado, where the river valley widens and flattens significantly. This is evident at the pueblo in Colorado, where the river enters the Great Plains. In this section, the river is characterized by shallow, wide banks, and seasonal flooding that is seen in the river in Colorado, Kansas, and part of Oklahoma. Some of the tributaries joining the Arkansas River in this section include Salt Fork and Cimarron Rivers. The third section of the river is along the eastern part of Oklahoma when the river widens further until it joins the Mississippi River.

Illinois River

Illinois River is one of the major tributaries of the Mississippi River that runs for about 273 miles in the state of Illinois. The river starts at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers in the eastern part of Grundy County, Illinois, about 10 miles to the southwest of Joliet. Illinois River flows westward across the northern part of the state and passes through Morris and Ottawa, where Fox River and Mazon River join the Illinois River. Other rivers that join the Illinois River include Vermilion River, Mackinaw, Spoon River, Sangamon River, and La Moine River. The Illinois River joins the Mississippi River about 95 miles northwest of downtown Saint Louis and approximately 20 miles upstream from the confluence of the Missouri River and the Mississippi River.

Missouri River

The Missouri River is North America’s longest river that originates from the Rocky Mountains in the southwest of Montana and flows towards the southeast, covering a distance of 2,466 miles. The river flows through six states before emptying its waters into the Mississippi River near Saint Louis in Missouri. Missouri drains an area of 500,000 square miles that includes ten states in the US and two provinces in Canada. Although the Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, it is relatively longer than the Mississippi.

Ohio River

The Ohio River is one of the main tributaries of the Mississippi River, and it starts at the confluence of the Monongahela River and Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. The river flows for 981 miles after crisscrossing six states, which include West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, before emptying its waters into the Mississippi River at Cairo in Illinois. The Ohio River hosts about 150 species of fish, which include trout, salmon, and catfish, among others. The river has an average depth of about 24 feet, and the whole course of the river is navigable, allowing barges that transport an average of 230 million tons of shipment annually. There are 49 power-generating plants and 20 dams along the Ohio River.

The Red River

The Red River is among the main tributaries of the Mississippi River originating from the Rocky Mountains. The central part of the river is located in Texas and flows through several other states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, covering a distance of 1,290 miles. Some of the tributaries of the Red River include Sulfur River, Little River, Little Wichita River, Kiamichi River, Washita River, Peace River, and Salt Fork Red River, among others. The southern bank of the Red River was part of the border between Mexico and the US following the Adams-Onis treaty that was signed in 1819 and was valid until 1821 when Texas was annexed. The watershed of the Red River is 65,590 square miles, and its river basin is relatively flat. The basin is also a fertile agricultural region having few big cities. The Red River’s drainage basin is arid with little precipitation.

Significance Of The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River, together with its tributaries, is used mainly to transport manufactured and agricultural goods to different parts of the country. The Mississippi River and Missouri river systems are the two largest in the country, transporting more than 450 million short tons of cargo every year. Tugboats that push large barges are the common type of transport. It is estimated that the Mississippi River accounts for about 92% of the agricultural exports in the US and 78% of the soybeans and feed grains. The Mississippi River is also home to some of the country’s largest ports, like the port of New Orleans and Port of Louisiana. The two ports handle more than 500 million tons every year.

The Mississippi River is one of the most well-known rivers in the world due to the huge volume of water that flows within its banks. Hydrologists consider the Mississippi River to be the 4th longest river globally and the 15th largest by the volume of water it discharges. The Mississippi is also distinct since it provides habitat to more than 300 different species of fish. The Mississippi covers a distance of nearly 2,320 miles as it flows from Lake Itasca in the state of Minnesota to its mouth at its delta which is situated within the Gulf of Mexico.

Geography of the Mississippi River

The river has many tributaries which allow it to have a presence in two Canadian provinces as well as 32 American states. Some of the states through which the Mississippi River flows include Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas. When studying the Mississippi, hydrologists divide it into three different sections. The Upper Mississippi encompasses the river from its source to the point where it links up with the Missouri River, while the Middle Mississippi begins after the confluence with the Missouri River until it reaches the Ohio River. Finally, the Lower Mississippi runs from the junction with the Ohio River to the mouth of the river in the Mississippi River Delta.

The Upper Mississippi

The upper section of the Mississippi River is divided into two parts. The first part is referred to as the headwaters, and in this region, the river flows for about 493 miles from Lake Itasca to Saint Anthony Falls. In this region, 14 dams were constructed to regulate the amount of water flowing within the river's banks. The second section of the Upper Mississippi is a navigable channel which was formed due to the presence of human-made lakes in the region. In this section, the Mississippi flows for approximately 664 miles until it reaches the state of Missouri. Several dams were constructed in the second section primarily to aid in navigation. There are several lakes located on the Upper Mississippi with some of the most prominent being Lake Winnibigoshish, Lake Pepin, and Lake Onalaska. Several important tributaries join the Mississippi in the upper section such as the St. Croix River, the Cannon River, the Iowa River, and the Crow River.

The Middle Mississippi

The middle section of the Mississippi River is approximately 190 miles long, and it begins in the state of Missouri to the state of Illinois. One of the unique features of this section of the river is that it gradually loses its elevation throughout its course which is approximately 180 miles. In this section, few significant tributaries join the Mississippi such as the Meramec River and the Kaskaskia River.

The Lower Mississippi

The Mississippi is referred to as the Lower Mississippi for nearly a thousand miles from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. Several significant tributaries link up with the Mississippi River in its lower section such as the Arkansas River, the Big Black River, and the Yazoo River.

Historical Significance of the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River has played an essential role particularly in the history of several Native American communities. The river was a vital source of water for daily use and also for cultivation. In modern times, the Mississippi River has also played a vital role in the lives of communities around the river.