Yangtze: Asia's Longest River Entirely Within One Country

• The Yangtze River, approximately 6,300 kilometers long, is Asia's longest river flowing entirely within a single country, China.
• It originates in the Tibetan Plateau, flows eastward, and empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai, crucial for China's economy, transportation, and energy.
• The Yangtze is the world's fifth-largest river by water volume, with an average annual flow of 995.8 cubic kilometers.
• Historically an obstacle, the Yangtze became a transportation backbone after bridges like the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge were built post-1949, connecting northern and southern China.
• The river basin, home to the Three Gorges Dam, faces severe environmental pressure from industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and plastic waste, threatening unique species like the Chinese alligator and finless porpoise.

Why It Matters: The Yangtze River is China's vital artery, but faces significant environmental challenges from rapid development.