The largest river in depth. Find out where the deepest river on the planet is located. Visual demonstration of places, the deepest rivers of the World

When they talk about the very best rivers, first of all, everyone is interested in depth, then in width, flow speed, spillway volume, and so on. But for some reason, depth is rarely mentioned. But this parameter is also able to tell a lot about the nature of the reservoir. Imagine how many interesting things can be hidden at a depth of 100-150 meters, hidden from prying eyes.

This is probably why the deepest river in the world regularly throws surprises at scientists and researchers. And it is worth noting that this is by no means the ancient Nile and not the aggressive Amazon, but a completely different river - the Congo.

One of the best works, telling about this river - this is, perhaps, the "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. He managed to see and convey the true face of this river, one of the most mysterious and dangerous. This is exactly what the Portuguese saw her, recklessly believing that they could tame her. They gave her modern name, reversing the present - "the river that swallowed up all the rivers of the world."

Impenetrable humid African forests, dangerous animals, even more dangerous microbes and, of course, dangerous fish. Indeed, at a depth of 230 meters, real monsters can hide, such as tiger fish, flocks of piranhas and other underwater nightmares.

But for objectivity, it is worth noting that not everywhere the river has such a depth and such a bad character, but everything should be treated with great respect.

Amazon

Many people think that the deepest river in the world must be the widest and longest at the same time. But it's not. And the champion in length, loses a lot in depth. But even the 130 meters presented to her are also good result.

The main wealth of the Amazon is its inhabitants, who have found a home on the banks. According to very rough estimates of scientists, on an area of ​​10 square kilometers you can find more than 750 species of trees, 1500 flowers, 125 mammals, 500 birds, as well as countless insects, invertebrates and other small animals. In terms of population, the waters are in no way inferior to the shores. More than 2000 species of fish live here. And all this wealth has not even been fully studied and described yet. Scientists regularly send research expeditions there, but the river is reluctant to reveal its secrets.

Perhaps fish swim in its dark depths, which people have not seen for thousands of years, and someday they will rise to the top to show why the locals are afraid of this great river.

Russia was lucky with the number of rivers, they are evenly dispersed throughout the territory, but not with the quality. Not the deepest, not the widest, not the longest. Perhaps it is for the best, why do we need this extreme? But, those that are, regularly supply water to the entire territory.

There is also enough depth.

But if we still talk about the deepest river in Russia, then it can be considered the Yenisei. Recently, we have already talked about it in more detail, so now we just recall that this Siberian river is one of the largest in the country, the first in terms of flow. And now you can assign her another title - the deepest. And all thanks to the fact that its depth in some places reaches 70 meters - a very impressive result.

Earlier we talked about the longest rivers in Russia and the world, we also mentioned the widest. And now we have added a third dimension, and you know which river can be called the deepest.

Africa has many beautiful and unique rivers known all over the world.

What are the Nile, Senegal, Niger, the Orange River!

But the deepest river not only in Africa, but throughout the world is the Congo River, which was previously called Zaire.

Description of the river

The Congo River flows through Central Africa. For the most part, it captures the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From here the once river Zaire got its current name.

The Congo is a natural border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola.

The river has many honorary titles:

• the deepest river in the world, the depth of which in some places is about 230 meters;
• ranks second after the Amazon as the most full-flowing river in the world;
• the longest river in Africa after the Nile;
• the only major river that crosses the equator twice.

This legendary river was discovered in the 15th century (in 1482) by the Portuguese traveler and navigator Diogo Can.

Characteristics of the Congo River in numbers

• The length of the river is 4,700 km.
• The width of the river is up to 2 km (the river forms lake-like places).
• The depth of the river - a record depth was recorded at around 230 meters.
• The area of ​​the water basin is 3,680,000 km2 (according to some sources, 4,014,500 km2).

The Congo River originates at an altitude of 1590 meters above sea level in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa. In this place, the source of the Congo forms the Chambezi River. On its way, the Congo meets Lake Bangweulu and the Lualaba River.

The upper reaches of the Congo, located on the territory of plateaus and plateaus, can be characterized by the alternation of a calm current and rapids with a rapid current.

Near the city of Bukama and from it, the river flows slowly, with noticeable zigzag bends in the channel. From the city of Kongolo, flowing through the gorges of Port d and Hell's Gate, the river forms several waterfalls and rapids.

The lower course of the river is also mostly calm. Only from the city of Kinshasa to Matadi, about 350 km long, the Congo forms rapids and waterfalls, named Livingston Falls in honor of their discoverer. It was on this site that the deepest depressions in the Congo River were recorded, which made it world famous.

The Congo River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, expanding in the channel at the confluence of up to 11 km. Its current persists for another 17 km in the ocean.

Flora and fauna

Being the second longest river in Africa, the Congo strikes with a variety of flora and fauna. Throughout the river, whether rocky rapids or flat terrain, the surrounding nature surprises with its power and beauty.

Along the banks of the river stretch magnificent rainforests with endless jungle. One of the rarest trees in the world, the mahogany, is found here. Closer to the equator, impenetrable thickets begin, in which they grow:

• Oak trees;
• hevea;
• the Red tree;
• ebony trees;
• eucalyptus.

The flora of the coast of the Congo River can be characterized evergreen shrubs, riot and saturation of plants, dense thickets. In some places, mighty trees reach a height of 60 m, forming a constant darkness and partial shade. Therefore, near the banks of the river there is often a swampy area.

Animal world, whose representatives are found on the shores of the Congo, is also diverse and amazing.

Zebras, antelopes and giraffes, predatory cheetahs, elephants, hippos and hairy forest pigs are found here, anthropoid gorillas live, crocodiles live in the water, weave nets in the thickets poisonous spiders.

A huge number of birds and snakes swarm throughout the Congo River, including pythons and cobras.

The underwater world of the great African river is represented by more than 875 species big fish and 20 species of small fish. The most popular and frequently found species of fish that live in the Congo are: Nile perch, catfish, mormirops.

Also quite common: freshwater herring, barbel, tilapia.

But the most important, predatory and dangerous fish, which is found in the depths of the Congo River, is the Goliath tiger fish. It reaches a length of 1.5 m and weighs about 60 kg.

It is the tiger fish that is called the monster of the Congo River. There are many legends and myths about this predator in Africa.

Russia, as one of the world's largest powers, is fighting pollution environment Read the link about the measures taken by the country's leadership.

Environmental problems of the river

Being one of the most full-flowing, longest and deep rivers in the world, the Congo nonetheless has a number of environmental issues. Environmental problems are due to the fact that the Congo River is an essential element transport communication between cities and countries in Africa. Navigation is very developed on the river. The approximate length of shipping routes is more than 2,000 km. There are 4 main shipping routes that are constantly operating:

1. Bukama-Kongolo.
2. Kindu-Ubundu.
3. Kisangani-Kinshasa.
4. Matadi mouth.

The last of the shipping routes listed, which forms the pool, is often used by ocean-going ships.

On the Congo River you can see many small ships, boats, fishing boats. This is due to the large number of travelers who study the local nature, and fishermen who want to make a decent catch.

The Congo River has the maximum potential for economic use. In terms of hydropower, this is one of the largest rivers in the world: about 40 hydroelectric power plants have been built on it.

On the shores of the Congo, deposits of many minerals have been discovered: copper ore, zinc, cobalt, uranium, silver, radium, nickel.

This led to the construction of large factories and metal processing enterprises near the coast of the Congo.

All along the river is a large number of big cities and small towns. A large river port was built in the city of Kisangani with a population of over 900 thousand people.

All this contributes not only to giving the Congo River a huge economic importance, but also the emergence of many environmental problems, among which there are several key ones.

• Reduction of the underwater world of the river due to the colossal catch and poaching.
• Pollution of nature near the banks of the Congo River as a result of many chemical and processing enterprises.
• Numerous emissions from nearby cities and towns.
• Erosion of the soil layer, waterlogging of certain sections of the river.

Thus, the Congo River is of great industrial, economic, commercial, and tourist importance for several African states.

This is one of the ones known for its uniqueness and power. To this ancient river, formerly called Zaire, constantly riveted the attention of scientists, travelers, biologists, ecologists. vegetable, animal, undersea world the Congo River is rich and diverse. The Congo River is able to surprise and amaze with its size, the beauty of the surrounding nature, the depth of calm waters.

Africa ... It is in this territory that the deepest river in the world is located. TravelAsk invites you on a journey through the Congo.

Congo: 230 meters underwater

The Congo begins at the junction of the Lualaba and Luvua rivers, not far from the border of the Republic of the Congo with Zambia. Its length is about 4700 kilometers.

Over this distance there are about a thousand islands and 30 waterfalls. Some of them have names. So there are the waterfalls of Livingston, which are located in the gorge of the South Guinean Uplands. True, not to say that they are too picturesque, and cannot be compared with the pearl of Africa, Victoria, but they are definitely powerful: these are 7 rapids that stretch for 350 kilometers. The total height of the water fall is 270 meters. In these rapids is the deepest point of the Congo, which is 230 meters.

Congo flows into the Atlantic Ocean: every second it carries 43 thousand cubic meters of water there: only the Amazon is more powerful. The mouth of the Congo is funnel-shaped, where ocean waters mix with fresh waters.

Impressive and total area the Congo Basin - 3,680,000 square meters. The river is very beautiful, landscapes change one after another along it: mountains and evergreen tropics, surrounded by picturesque valleys.

The Congo is the only river that crosses the equator twice.

The home of the spirits

Congo, according to African legends, is the abode of the spirits of death. The natives called them mkuu-mbe-mba. According to local residents, outwardly they look like lizards, and in size they can be equal to elephants. If the spirits are angry with people, they drink all the water from the sky, which causes a drought. And, of course, they can send all sorts of sores and fevers.

Therefore, going on a trip to the shores of the Congo, do not anger these monsters.

So who lives in the Congo?

The river was discovered in 1482 by the Portuguese navigator Diego Can. It is the largest river in Central Africa. The high water of the Congo occurs 2 times a year: in May and December. During this period, its waters are visible from Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of kilometers. But even in low season she is truly powerful.

Fishing in the Congo is quite impressive, especially for tiger fish. This is a predator that grows up to 70 kilograms and has large teeth. The fish got its name because of its striped color. She is as dangerous as piranhas.

Tiger fish will ambush their prey, and local fishermen have a lot of tales about their attacks on people. However, such cases have not been officially registered. Most often, she feeds on small fish, but her teeth are large enough: she can inflict decent bites on humans.

Tiger fish is very popular as an object of sport fishing: not everyone can catch such a giant. Some individuals reach a length of 1.80 meters.

In addition to this predator, about a thousand species of fish are found here. Nile perch, mormyrops and catfish are especially common.

River routes

The Congo is one of the main waterways of the mainland: if you add up all the shipping routes along it and its tributaries, then their length will be about 20 thousand kilometers.

In addition, the river is also a source of hydropower: there are three large hydroelectric power stations.

Second and third place

In second place is the Yangtze River - the longest river in China and Asia, its depth reaches 200 meters.

The Danube, which is also called the international waterway, ranks third. The maximum depth of the river is 178 meters.

Congo, she is Zaire, she is Lualaba. The maximum depth of this river is approximately 230 meters, which is one and a half times the depth of the deep river in the world - the Amazon, the maximum depth of which is only about 150 meters.

In general, this river is remarkable in many respects. For example, it has a powerful hydropower potential, which is due, firstly, to its full flow, and secondly, to the fall of the channel (the presence of a slope) almost throughout its entire length. Among its unique features is the fact that it is the only one in the world river crossing twice.

The length of the Congo River is 4700 kilometers, it flows through the territory of two states: mainly the Republic of the Congo, and partly along the border of the Republic of the Congo with Angola. Zaire is the breadbasket for the people who inhabit its shores, being the most important transport artery and a source of water for irrigating agricultural land.

Economic Importance of the Congo River

The total length of the navigable part of the river, all its branches and tributaries is about 20 thousand kilometers. This circumstance, along with the extremely deep channel, turns Zaire into a navigable river, moreover, into one of the two largest transport arteries in Africa.

The river basin is extremely saturated with hydroelectric power plants, their total number exceeds 40, which allows the Congo to rightfully be called the energy center of the Republic of the Congo. The energy reserves of this river are estimated at 390 GW! In other words, the once wilderness is turning into an industrial region.

Research on the Congo River

The current state of affairs is especially impressive if we recall how the situation in this region developed at the end of the nineteenth century. Even the brave David Livingston, under the influence of rumors about the terrible cannibal tribes inhabiting the mouth of the Zaire River, refused to explore it. It was not possible to overcome the river rapids by water, the way around by land threatened with terrible death, so Livingston's expedition was not crowned with success. Unlike the expedition of Henry Morton Stanley, who ventured to explore the Congo and brought a lot of valuable information to geography.

Summing up: the Congo River is one of

Russia is considered one of the most water-provided countries in the world. On the territory of the state there is a huge reserve fresh water. At the same time, some densely populated areas of the European part of the country lack water resources. About 12.4% of the entire territory of the state is occupied by surface waters. At the same time, about 84% of them are concentrated in the eastern part of the Urals.

Deep rivers of Russia

The Lena is considered one of the greatest water streams in the country. This is not the deepest river in Russia, but it is one of the most abundant in the world. Its length is 4270 kilometers. The annual water discharge at the mouth is about 15.5 thousand m3/s, the basin has an area of ​​2478 thousand km2, and the average long-term runoff is about 490 km3. Another major river in Russia is the Ob. It is one of the five largest in the world. Its length is 4345 km, drainage basin has an area of ​​2975 thousand square meters. km. It is formed at the confluence of the Katun and Biya in the Altai region. In addition to the source, the water area is a typical flat river. It is characterized by small slopes and a wide swampy valley, in some places reaching a width of more than a dozen kilometers.

The Volga is considered the largest river in Europe. Its delta has an area of ​​19 thousand square meters. km. The Volga starts from and then connects with the Amur - the main river on Far East. Part catchment area water area is located on Chinese territory. Amur was formed at the confluence of Argun and Shilka. In terms of water content, the river is considered one of the significant rivers in the region. Here, the average annual is 12,800 m3. The average long-term waste volume is 403 sq. m. km. Amur is navigable throughout. The most developed here are timber rafting and water transport. What is the deepest river in Russia? More on this later in the article.

The deepest river in Russia

The most abundant stream in the country is the Yenisei. This is not only the deepest river in Russia, but also one of the largest on the planet. The length from the source of the Big Yenisei is about 4100 km, the Small Yenisei is more than 4200 km, from the place of their confluence is more than 3480 km. Every year, the Yenisei takes out about 624 m3 of water. This is more than all the rivers located on the deepest river valley - at the Aspen rapids - 66 meters can bear. The Yenisei is a natural border between the Eastern and Western parts of Siberia. This river begins in Kyzyl, at the confluence of the Small and Big Yenisei.

Hydrology

The Yenisei is classified as a river of mixed, with a predominance of snow, nutrition. This water area is characterized by fairly intensive formation of intra-water ice. In the channel in some areas, powerful ice can form. The flood usually begins in May, rarely - in April. During the spring ice drift, "congestion" appears. The larger ones are characterized by summer floods and long spring-summer floods. Snow supply accounts for slightly less than 50% of the total volume, rain supply - up to 40%, underground - up to 16%. The Yenisei begins to freeze in early October in the lower reaches.

Economic use

The Yenisei is not only the deepest river in Russia, but also the main waterway in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The main ports and marinas are cities such as Igarka, Maklakovo, Turukhansk, Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk, Abakan and others. Regular navigation is carried out up to the mouth from Sayanogorsk, and sea vessels also rise to Igarka. Downstream there are large hydroelectric power stations: Krasnoyarsk, Sayano-Shushinsk, Main. Rafting is also carried out along the river. By the end of the 19th century, a canal was built connecting the Yenisei and the Ob (Ob-Yenisei Canal).