If you are a scout squad adventurer or just have a hobby of adventure, then you will be happy to read about the facts about rivers for kids. As we know, in this world there are so many types of water. In fact, 2/3 of the area of this planet is water. Today we will discuss the waters on land. Let’s continue!
Get to know the Facts about Rivers for Kids
A river is one of the natural waters that has several relationships with other waters such as tributaries, estuaries, lakes, and the sea. While some of its parts and properties are also unique when compared to the stagnant water you see like lakes for example. We will see the characteristic points, OK!
- We can find rivers on any continent in the world.
- The river has a variety of sizes, from the short flow to the most famous as the longest river in the world, the Nile (up to 4,132 miles). While the second-longest river is the Amazon River in the United States (4,000 miles long). The Amazon River has the largest drainage basin in the world, a dry area covering an area of 3,817,704 square miles.
- Although rivers eventually flow into the ocean, most rivers contain freshwater. The mixing of fresh water from rivers and saltwater from the sea produces waters called brackish water. In brackish water areas, certain types of plants and fish live.
- How does the river flow? Water always flows from a height. In rivers, the source is always on higher ground. Then it flows through a channel and can collect more water along its way or vice versa, will dry up before reaching the ocean. The bottom of the river channel is called a bed, while the riverbank is called a bank.
- This tributary is a branch of the flow from the main river channel and forms a smaller channel. It could also flow into other waters.
- There is also something invisible, you know! Not like ghosts, that is to say, but, they flow underground. It is called a spring. There is also a river that flows in an underground cave.
- Not all rivers provide clean water and can be a source of water. Several rivers carry the most polluted water in the world, such as the Ganges, Yangtze, and Indus rivers.
- Do you know? It has been centuries that human civilization was built along the river. Because the source of water is an important factor to meet human needs such as drinking, food, irrigation, transportation, recreation, even now it is a power plant. The technique that has long been applied to harness energy from river currents is the waterwheel. Today, the electricity generated by hydroelectric power plants has succeeded in supporting the electricity needs of all people in almost the entire world.
- Recreational activities on rivers also usually involve sporting activities and can be used as competitions, such as sailing, swimming, canoeing, rafting, fishing, kayaking, and water skiing.
- Approximately half the water on planet Earth eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Not all rivers flow continuously! Some rivers only work in certain seasons which are called intermittent rivers.
- River, wherever it is, is an ecosystem for living things, plants, and animals. The river supports the food chain for them.
You already know, right, that rivers play an important role in life? Not only humans but other living things also depend on the sustainability of the river. Therefore, we as humans must help keep the river clean so that the water can still be used. Don’t let the knowledge of the facts about rivers for kids go to waste!