The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest in the world, after the Amazon River and the Nile River. It stretches approximately 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) from its source in the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to its mouth at the East China Sea.
The Yangtze River flows through eleven provinces, including Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangsu, before emptying into the sea near Shanghai. Its drainage basin covers an area of about 1.8 million square kilometers, supporting one of the most populous regions in the world. The river has numerous tributaries, with significant ones being the Han River, the Jialing River, and the Min River.
The Yangtze has played a crucial role in Chinese civilization for millennia. It has been a vital transportation route, a source of water for agriculture, and a cultural artery. The river's name, "Yangtze," comes from "Yangzi Jiang" in Mandarin, meaning "the longest river." Historically, it was also known as the Blue River or Chang Jiang, meaning "Long River."
Despite its importance, the Yangtze River faces numerous environmental challenges:
The Yangtze River Economic Belt has become one of the most dynamic economic zones in China, contributing significantly to the nation's GDP. It supports heavy industries, shipping, fishing, and agriculture, with extensive development in logistics, manufacturing, and technology.