The World's Longest Rivers

At 6,400 km, the Amazon carries more water than any other river on Earth — about 20% of all freshwater that flows into the world's oceans. Its basin contains the largest tropical rainforest on the planet.

China's longest river at 6,300 km is the third longest in the world. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze is the world's largest hydroelectric power station, generating electricity for hundreds of millions of people.

Measured from the Missouri's headwaters, this system reaches 6,275 km. The Mississippi alone drains 41% of the continental United States and has shaped American culture, commerce, and mythology for centuries.

The Yenisei system in Siberia stretches 5,539 km from Mongolia to the Arctic Ocean. It drains the largest catchment of any river flowing into the Arctic and carries the most water of any river in Asia.

At 5,464 km, the Yellow River is known as "the cradle of Chinese civilization" — the Yellow River basin was the birthplace of ancient Chinese culture. Its silty waters have built the North China Plain over millennia.

The Ob system in western Siberia runs 5,410 km from the Altai Mountains to the Arctic Ocean. Its basin covers 2.99 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest drainage basins in the world.

At 4,700 km, the Congo is Africa's second longest river but its deepest — reaching over 220m in places. It drains the Congo Basin, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon.

At 4,444 km, the Amur forms the border between Russia and China for much of its length. It's the world's tenth longest river and one of the least modified major rivers in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Lena in Siberia runs 4,400 km from the Baikal Mountains to the Arctic Ocean and is largely untouched by human development. In winter, it freezes solid and serves as a road for vehicles in remote regions.

At 6,400 km, the Amazon carries more water than any other river on Earth — about 20% of all freshwater that flows into the world's oceans. Its basin contains the largest tropical rainforest on the planet.

China's longest river at 6,300 km is the third longest in the world. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze is the world's largest hydroelectric power station, generating electricity for hundreds of millions of people.

Measured from the Missouri's headwaters, this system reaches 6,275 km. The Mississippi alone drains 41% of the continental United States and has shaped American culture, commerce, and mythology for centuries.

The Yenisei system in Siberia stretches 5,539 km from Mongolia to the Arctic Ocean. It drains the largest catchment of any river flowing into the Arctic and carries the most water of any river in Asia.

At 5,464 km, the Yellow River is known as "the cradle of Chinese civilization" — the Yellow River basin was the birthplace of ancient Chinese culture. Its silty waters have built the North China Plain over millennia.

The Ob system in western Siberia runs 5,410 km from the Altai Mountains to the Arctic Ocean. Its basin covers 2.99 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest drainage basins in the world.

At 4,700 km, the Congo is Africa's second longest river but its deepest — reaching over 220m in places. It drains the Congo Basin, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon.

At 4,444 km, the Amur forms the border between Russia and China for much of its length. It's the world's tenth longest river and one of the least modified major rivers in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Lena in Siberia runs 4,400 km from the Baikal Mountains to the Arctic Ocean and is largely untouched by human development. In winter, it freezes solid and serves as a road for vehicles in remote regions.