Yangtze River: Asia's Longest, China's Lifeline, and Global Giant

• The Yangtze River, stretching 6,300 km, is Asia's longest river and flows entirely within China, making it geographically unique.
• Originating on the Tibetan Plateau, it traverses China eastward, supporting agriculture, industry, and ecosystems before reaching the East China Sea near Shanghai.
• With an average annual flow of 995.8 cubic kilometres, it's the world's fifth-largest river by discharge, crucial for shipping, energy, and industrial activities.
• Historically, the Yangtze divided northern and southern China, with the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge (1957) marking a turning point in bridging this barrier.
• The Yangtze basin is an ecological treasure, home to rare species, but faces threats from industrial growth, pollution, and habitat loss.

Why It Matters: The Yangtze River is Asia's longest, China's domestic lifeline, and a global economic and ecological powerhouse.