The Mekong is a river that flows through the most densely populated part of the Indochina Peninsula through several states. It received its second name - “The Danube of Asia” - for its resemblance to the largest European river.
Source
The Tibetan Plateau is mountains and plains up to 6 km high, where 6 high-water rivers of Southeast Asia and Indochina originate:
- the most big river Indus (flows north towards the Himalayas and then to the Arabian Sea);
- Brahmaputra (flows in the other direction - to the east of the Himalayas, where, joining the Ganges, it flows into the Bay of Bengal);
- The Salween and Mekong head south through several countries;
- The Yangtze and Yellow River flow through China.
The source of the Mekong River is located high in the mountains (5 km above sea level), where a small river is initially called Dza-Chu. Then, in the Chinese province of Yun Nan, it is already called Lancang, and when it gets to Laos, it finally acquires its name - Mekong.
The length of the Mekong River is 4350 km. It is considered the longest river in Asia. The water level in the river depends on the rainy seasons, and the bed changes very often, exposing shoals in different places. The navigable route of the reservoir extends to a distance of up to 700 km from the mouth, and during high water - up to 1600 km.
Mekong in Cambodia
The water in the Mekong is yellow-brown. The river is fed by rains (summer monsoons), and in upper reaches- due to snow and glaciers, which the Tibetan Plateau is rich in.
The relief changes along the banks: in the upper reaches there are mountains and gorges with many rapids. Entering Cambodia and then Laos, the Mekong opens onto a plain where a waterfall consisting of cascading rapids forms near the city of Khon. Khon Falls looks very picturesque and powerful; 38 thousand cubic meters of water flow through it every day. Its only drawback is that due to the stormy water there is no possibility of using navigation.
During the monsoon period, the section of the river below the waterfall spreads 15 km wide, forming an island paradise with lush tropical vegetation, which is called the “Four Thousand Islands”.
Downstream, starting from the town of Kratie, the river becomes navigable. It connects this town with the capital of Cambodia - Pyongyang (1.5 million inhabitants). After passing through the capital, the Mekong forms a huge delta with an area of 70 thousand square meters. km, dividing into two branches. Along its banks grow dense rainforests, downstream are sheer cliffs, palm groves and small villages.
All countries along the Mekong River live and feed on shipping and agriculture.
River basin
The water basin of the Mekong River covers an area of 810 thousand square meters. km, it includes many tributaries and lakes. An interesting relationship is between the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, which are connected by a tributary. During the rainy season, the river, overflowing with water, pours its excess into the lake, gradually lowering its level. During the dry period (November-June), the river level drops and water from the lake begins to flow into the riverbed. In this case liberation occurs large area fertile lands fertilized with river silt, which are actively used by peasants to grow rice plantations.
The Mekong has enormous, but still untapped energy potential. In the future this mighty river capable of giving a large number of electricity, however, due to the divergence of countries' interests, the construction of hydroelectric power stations is impossible.
Animal and plant life
In the river basin, residents catch a lot of fish (1200 species). Waterfowl, crocodiles and Irrawaddy dolphins are found here. The river delta consists of many small islands on which many beautiful lotuses grow. All small lakes with stagnant water are decorated with flowering plants. Buffaloes roam the shallow waters; they love flowers and eat them. Pineapples grow on the side of the paths, and coconuts grow on huge palm trees.
Biological scientists around the world say that the Mekong is a river that is the “kitchen of the planet.” She deserved this name for her amazing biological diversity, second only to the Amazon in the number of discoveries of new species of animals and plants.
Since 1997, biologists have made more than 2,000 discoveries in natural environment habitat, such as the wildlife of the Mekong basin. Totally agree last years discoveries of new species of fish, more than 20 reptiles, amphibians and 82 completely unknown plants were made. For example, green pit snake with glowing ruby eyes, frogs (singing and “Yin-Yang”), white orchid with thorns (Celogina) and many others.
River delta
The Mekong is the last of the ten longest rivers in the world and is the main river of the state of Vietnam, around which the entire life of this country is centered. The delta region (total length 600 km) is home to 17 million Vietnamese. The bulk of the population works in agriculture: growing rice, corn, and also catching large quantities of fish. River and sea fish- the main and only source of protein in the Vietnamese diet.
The Mekong is the feeding river of millions of people in Vietnam, Laos and other countries. And at the same time it is their home: the local population lives in houseboats and pontoons - right on the river. Such houses are grouped into real villages, where there are floating shops, gas stations and even floating churches. Under many houses there are cages in which residents raise fish for food and sale.
Another popular and successful fishery is the cultivation of golden shrimp in former rice fields. According to environmentalists, the fishing and shrimp business has a negative impact on the nature of the river delta: the previously created irrigation system for rice fields is subject to destruction - salting - when sea water enters.
The mouth of the Mekong River is a collection of branches that branch off from the main channel, built canals and flooded rice fields where the local population works. Moreover, specially bred varieties of rice are planted that grow in salty sea water. In dry years, the local population grows corn, tobacco, and sugar cane.
Every year during the rainy season, the Mekong floods, which leads to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences, but after some time the water level decreases, and the residents return to their homes.
Market on the water
The Mekong Delta is the main agricultural and trading region of Vietnam, with its capital, Can Tho. Local farmers harvest 2-3 rice crops per year. The Vietnamese believe that it was their ancient ancestors who taught the people of China to cultivate this plant. In the process of growing rice, production also goes into production. rice straw- for livestock feed and fuel for brick factories.
The largest floating market is located in the city of Can Tho, where vegetables and fruits, rice and seafood, poultry and live fish. Trade comes from early morning and until late at night. At night, peasants return to their villages, and fishermen live here on boats.
Story
During the American-Vietnamese War, the area was considered guerrilla and intimidating to American troops. Around the river there were impenetrable jungles and swamps where ants lived, poisonous spiders, snakes, crocodiles, scorpions. Detachments of fearless, desperate Vietnamese partisans were hiding in the forests. The Viet Cong emerged from the jungle, attacked American troops, and then disappeared without a trace.
The river valley, which the Vietnamese considered home, was used to house detachments and locate warehouses and bases to supply the guerrillas with food and weapons. There were hospitals for treating the wounded and gun workshops here.
The Americans were not helped by either special poisons or napalm, which they used to burn out the jungle and the people there from planes.
Legend and festival of lights
Mekong - "Nine Dragon River". That's what the locals call it. According to their stories, the main river god of the Mekong, Nag, lives in the reservoir. He appears in the form giant snake with 7 heads in the place where the border between Thailand and Laos passes. Almost all year round The snake sleeps at the bottom of the river and only during the full moon in October does it wake up specifically to build a ladder for Buddha. With the help of balls of fire, Nag paves the way to return Buddha to earth in order to establish law and order in the human world.
The mysterious appearance of luminous balls that come off the water and fly into the air can be observed near the town of Nong Khai. This extraordinary phenomenon occurs on the first full moon of the eleventh lunar month between 6 and 9 p.m. Look at natural miracle thousands of pilgrims and tourists come from different countries: red, hot pink and orange balls first fly several meters and then disappear without a trace.
Land of ships
As the most important water artery Vietnam's Mekong delta is navigable and crowded with many different large ships and small boats. Here you can find tourist liners, commercial barges, ferries ferrying goods and people from one pier to another, and punts.
Main entertainment local residents— racing on motor boats along narrow passages and canals, which are surrounded by tropical plants (palm trees and reeds).
A long bridge (about 16 km) crosses the largest branches of the river delta. There is an international airport, thanks to which many tourists fly in every day to admire the exotic water country - the Mekong Delta.
Located in southeast Asia, and the fourth largest blue artery of this continent.
The total length of this river, which carries its waters through the territories of six states, is 4,500 kilometers (the figure 4,900 is also given). The water here is considered blessed; it is not for nothing that people called the Mekong the Mother of Waters and the Nile of Southeast Asia.
One of the largest in the world
The Mekong is a river that is one of the largest on our planet. In the ratings, it ranks 12th in the world in terms of depth and 11th in length. For comparison, the following data is given: it is longer than both our Lena and the Mackenzie, Canada’s largest waterway. In many ratings she is in 8th place, ahead of not only Lena, but also Amur and Congo. The number of states to which this mighty river is related was mentioned above, but it flows through the territories of only 4 countries - China, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. And for Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma) it is the state border with Laos.
Born of Glaciers
The Mekong is a river whose source is located at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level. As noted, it is located on the slopes of the Tangla ridge, which is a 600-kilometer continuous ridge covered with eternal snow.
The highest point of the ridge is located at an altitude exceeding 6000 meters above sea level. Two high-mountain rivers - Dze-Chu and Dza-Chu, formed from numerous mountain streams born as a result of melting snow at an altitude of 5500 meters, merging, give birth to the largest water artery of Indochina called the Mekong. The river in its upper and middle reaches, which are located mainly in China, flows through narrow, deep canyons. Its waters rush through the gorges of the Sichuan Alps (Sino-Tibetan Mountains) and, crossing the Yunan Plateau, reach the stepped spurs of the Chyungshon Mountains located in the east of the Hindustan Peninsula.
Big river - many names
There are a lot of rapids in the upper reaches, which become even more numerous when the water level in the river drops. In its middle reaches in China, the river is called Lancangjiang.
In general, along the entire length of the river, residents of the countries to which it is related give it different names- in Vietnam it is called Cuu Long, or “nine dragons”. They call it “mother river,” that is, “the main, big river.”
Khon Waterfall
Already in Cambodia, where the Mekong River in its flow falls on the Cambodian (or Kampuchean) plain in close proximity to settlement Khon, the rapids of one of the widest, most beautiful and world famous waterfalls begin, named after the town of Khon. The daily water flow here is very high - 9 thousand cubic meters per day, and during periods of flood the maximum value was recorded equal to 38,000 cubic meters per day. The picturesque rapids of the waterfall stretch for several kilometers, and they finally end near another settlement, the town of Kratie, as a result of which the river level drops by 21 meters.
This town of 20,000 people has a port, thanks to which a river connection is established with Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. In general, the Mekong is navigable at a distance of 700 kilometers, and during periods of floods - at 1600 (to Vientiane). Huge ocean liners rise from the mouth to the capital of Vietnam.
Unique delta
Below this city, the mighty water artery spreads to its full width, and, in fact, this is where the Mekong River delta begins, total area which is equal to 70 thousand square meters. km. The delta is mainly located on the territory of Vietnam and consists of two large channels of a divided river, between them there are two more smaller branches and dozens of small rivers and channels.
The entire delta area, covered with small bushes, is heavily swamped and is, in essence, a mangrove swamp. Mangroves are deciduous evergreen forests. They grow mainly in the tropics, in estuaries and tidal areas of sea coasts. The total length of the delta, in the area of which 17 million Vietnamese live, is 600 kilometers. The length of the river also increases due to the fact that it goes deep into the South China Sea, where, in fact, the mighty Mekong River flows. Vietnam, on whose territory the delta is located, owes a lot to this water flow. Firstly, the Mekong is the breadbasket of Vietnam (one of the largest rice granaries on the planet). Secondly, numerous tourists from all over the world come to admire extraordinary beauty deltas.
Planet's Pantry
It should be noted that in the 21st century, the Mekong Delta was called a biological treasury, as hundreds of species of plants and animals were discovered in it, little studied or considered extinct.
The river valley is also called the Kitchen of the Planet. In 2011, a walking catfish, a singing frog, bat with a “devil” face, a blind underground fish and a fish with a mole, a two-legged lizard and many other species. And in total, since 1997, scientists from different countries have discovered and described 1,710 new species of animals and plants in the Mekong basin.
Tonle Sap and Mekong - communicating vessels
The Mekong is covered with lagoons and reaches a width of several tens of miles. The water in it is cloudy yellow. The Mekong is fed by snow and glaciers in its upper and middle reaches, while in its lower reaches it is fed by rain. Tributaries and lakes play a huge role. The largest natural reservoir is located in Cambodia. The water level in it is extremely unstable - its depth does not exceed 1 meter, while during the rainy season so much water flows into it through the channel of the same name from the Mekong that this figure increases to 9 meters. This is with a reservoir area of 2.7 thousand square meters. km. During dry periods, the waters of the lake replenish the river.
Source of disease
Where the Mekong River is located, especially in its delta region, there is the highest population density on the planet. This factor and tropical climate contribute to the emergence and spread of bird flu, Dengue fever and other exotic diseases. The 17 million people living in the delta not only fish and grow rice, but also have domestic animals in equally immeasurable numbers.
Basin and tributaries of the mighty river
The Mekong River basin is 810,000 square meters. km. It is home to 250,000,000 people. The cooperation of the countries to which this river is directly related has its own name among experts - the spirit of the Mekong. Since 1957, this cooperation has taken place within the Mekong River Commission.
Numerous Mekong, the largest of which are Mun (right), Tonle Sap (right) and Bang Khiang (in Laos), as already noted, play a huge role in her life. The most famous left tributaries are the Wu, Teng and San, which in turn also have tributaries. So, the largest ones are Bla, Grai, Straepok and Shanghai. On the San, which flows only through Vietnam, in the area where it flows into the Mekong, closer to Cambodia, five dams were built, which create extensive reservoirs. The Bassac, one of the delta's branches, flows from the Mekong and flows into the South China Sea. Among the tributaries there is even a river called Don, which flows into the Mekong in Laos.
Stocked river
The flora and fauna of the Mekong are unusually rich. Here, mainly in Cambodia, there are preserved river dolphins and crocodiles. There is an incredible amount of fish in this river - they are caught simply with bamboo traps placed at an angle to the current. During the high water period, fishermen earn money by fishing for the whole year. Nature itself has created excellent conditions here for the reproduction of dozens of species of fish, which, along with rice, are the main food of the large local population.
One of the largest branches of the Mekong is Sông Tiền near My Tho.
Briefly about the great river
In English the name of the river is written Mekong, in Vietnamese - Me Cong or Cuu Long. The latter translated means “nine dragons” (although “nine” in Vietnamese is correct “ting”). This refers to the nine channels of the Mekong that directly carry water into the sea. In fact, there are currently eight of them. One, the narrowest channel, silted up and disappeared several decades ago.
The Mekong is 11th in length and 12th in deepest among the world's rivers. The length of the river is about 4500 km. It flows through several countries in Southeast Asia and flows into the South China Sea. The source is in the Tibetan Plateau in China. The Mekong then flows through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. On the big
along the Mekong forms a natural border between Laos and Thailand.
One of the many narrow channels of the Mekong
The Mekong River is the most big river Vietnam and all of Southeast Asia.
In the Middle Ages, the Mekong Delta belonged to Cambodia, this region is the cradle of the Khmer civilization. Under the Khmers, the delta was swampy and covered with forests. The Vietnamese gradually moved here and became the main nationality. The kings of the Nguyen dynasty organized the construction of irrigation and transport canals. Nowadays, in addition to the Vietnamese, the Khmers, Chinese, and Chams live here. This also determined the diversity of local religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Caodaism, Hoahao and Islam.
Anyone who has visited the Mekong Delta can safely say that they have seen Asia, because everything that in our minds is associated with Asia is concentrated here: the lushness of the tropics, the yellow water of the river, the highest population density in the world, one of the world's largest rice granaries. There are also hotbeds of bird flu, Dengue fever and other diseases. This is not surprising, since tens of millions of people live on the banks of the Mekong in its lower reaches through Cambodia and Vietnam, keeping many domestic animals and birds. In Vietnam, more than 17 million people live in the Mekong Delta (without Ho Chi Minh City, which has a population of 7 million, which, although located nearby, is located on the Saigon River and does not belong to the Mekong Delta).
Mekong Delta
The river delta begins in Cambodia, below Phnom Penh. Most of it passes through the south of Vietnam. The area of the Mekong Delta is 70 thousand sq. km. In many places it is swampy.
The Mekong Delta includes 4 large branches, each several kilometers wide, and countless small and tiny channels. Eight of them flow into the ocean. During floods, the river floods vast areas. Retreating then, it leaves fertile silt on the fields. Landslides frequently occur along the banks of the Mekong, reducing agricultural land in the region by hundreds of hectares every year.
The Mekong feeds a significant number of people around the world with fish - it is home to 90% of the world's pangasius fish production, which is often mistakenly called the Tongue of the Sole.
Along with the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a huge rice granary. The Vietnam configuration is often compared to a yoke with two baskets of rice. One of them is the Mekong River Delta, the second is the Red River Delta. The Mekong Delta produces 95% of Vietnam's rice exports.
In addition to rice, corn, vegetables and tropical fruits, sweet potatoes, legumes, cassava, and coconuts are grown. Many fruits are exotic for Russians. In addition to rice and corn fields, there are many orchards in this region. Peasants collect the fruit and take it by boat to floating markets, where they sell it to wholesalers. The production of coconut candies is widely developed in local mini-factories.
Currently, construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power stations is beginning in the upper reaches of the Mekong in China and in the middle reaches in Laos. The Mekong will be dammed in more than ten places. This will reduce the flow of water into the delta. Vietnam fears the consequences will be catastrophic for the environment and economy of the delta region.
Climate
The climate in the Mekong Delta is subequatorial monsoon. Average annual temperature air temperature is 26-27 C and during the year it deviates slightly from these figures.
The distinct wet season lasts from May to August, when it falls greatest number precipitation.
IN last decade The effects of climate change are more visible than ever before. Sea levels are rising, although only slightly. But, in this low-lying part of Vietnam it is noticeable. Coastal collapses and floods caused by surges of seawater are becoming increasingly common.
Cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Villages and towns here merge into each other, but imperceptibly due to the continuous tropical vegetation. The delta often uses canals instead of roads. This does not mean that there are no paved roads there, it is just that it is often more convenient to move yourself or deliver cargo by water. The banks of the canals are connected by so-called “monkey bridges” (Cau Khi in Vietnamese). IN old times they were built from bamboo and were less than a meter wide. Now these village bridges are being strengthened and expanded so that they can sometimes even be driven by a car.
The Mekong River (if diversion channels are included) flows through 12 southern provinces of Vietnam: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, An Giang , Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Ca Mau.
The capital of the Mekong Delta is the city of Can Tho. It is located 170 km from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It is home to 220 thousand inhabitants. There is an airport in Can To, which will become international after the modernization is completed. In Can To, a 16-kilometer bridge was built across one of the two widest branches of the Mekong. In September 2007, during construction, one span of the bridge collapsed and several dozen workers died. During the tour to Can To, visit the Cai Rang floating market. The Can To city area has the most fertile land in the entire delta.
You can get from Ho Chi Minh City to Can To by car, bus, plane, but for tourists it is best to go by boat. Large boat for 50 passengers
departs at 8.00 from the river terminal at Ton Duc Thang Avenue in Ho Chi Minh City and arrives in Can To at 11.30. Cost - $13. The boat departs back from Can To to Ho Chi Minh City at 13.00. During this river and sea excursion, the views are more impressive than from the window of a car or bus.
The closest city in the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City is My Tho. But, it is still located in the industrial zone of the Saigon agglomeration. Therefore, tourists usually go to another nearby city - Ben Tre. In January 2009, a 3-kilometer bridge across the left branch of the Mekong was opened near Ben Tre, making this province even more accessible. There are also one-day tours to the cities of Cai Be and Vinh Long, other tours to the delta last more than one day.
Attractions and entertainment
One of the main tourist attractions of the Mekong Delta is the floating markets: here trade is carried out from boats. At the floating market, the stalls are located right in the boats. Buyers also move on boats from seller to seller. Vendors sell what grows in the fields of the Mekong Delta. Floating markets are open from 05.00 to 11.00 am. Almost all boats are equipped with motors, most often Japanese, lightweight and economical. On the Mekong they trade, sail and live in boats. Others build houses or even huts on the shore. Most try to build closer to the water. During construction, different materials are used. Fish are often bred under houses built on stilts, separating the space from the river with a bamboo palisade.
An unforgettable experience is also produced by riding motor boats along narrow canals, where both banks are surrounded by tropical plants, walks through natural parks, visiting small zoos with crocodiles, monkeys and other inhabitants of the local jungle. Local guides and residents will tell you about other attractions, and then take you to a cafe or restaurant made in the style of a Vietnamese village house for lunch. The menu usually includes shrimp, salads, pork or beef dishes, fresh coconut juice, green tea. Live music. The musicians perform both Vietnamese and Western music, including on request. Some can perform “Katyusha” or “Million” Red roses» A. Pugacheva, who remains popular in Vietnam.
Historical sites are associated with the ancient Khmer states, which dominated here before the arrival of the Viet. They are located in the Mekong Delta on the border with Cambodia, mainly in the province of Kien Giang (which includes the island of Phu Quoc).
Planning a tour to the Mekong Delta
When planning a tour to the Mekong, you should set aside 1-2 days within the standard two weeks of travel in the south of Vietnam. As a result of the introduction of large six-lane bridges across the widest channels of the Mekong, travel time has been significantly reduced.
They leave Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning, when traffic is not as intense as during the day. In Ho Chi Minh City, a Mekong tour can be purchased for $8-10 (excluding hotel and food). The distance from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to the nearest branch of the delta is 70 km. Considering the low speed of travel on the roads of Vietnam and big time To get out of the metropolis, you can get to the Mekong in 3 hours. Another option is a passenger boat.
To get to Phu Quoc Island through the Mekong Delta, you need to go to the cities of Ha Tien or Rach Gia on the sea coast, and from there take a boat to the island.
The largest river of the Indochina Peninsula, the Mekong, flowing through the territory of six countries, originates in the glaciers of the Tibetan Tangla mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 6500 m. The Mekong crosses the Yunnan Plateau, the spurs of the Truong Son massif, the Khorat and Boloven plateaus, the Cambodian plain and two main branches flows into . The river's exit from the mountain gorges onto the plain forms a cascade of waterfalls and rapids, which are called Kon. The Mekong Delta in the South China Sea is heavily rugged and swampy. The river is fed by monsoon rains, and in the upper reaches by glaciers and the snows of Tibet.
Story
The first visit of a European to these parts was noted in 1540. However, the Portuguese Antonio de Faria was hardly suitable for the role of an explorer - in a few sources he is called a pirate. European interest in serious exploration of the Mekong basin arose only in 1866, when the French explorer and diplomat Ernest Doudard de Lagre (1823-1868) organized and headed the Commission for the Exploration of the Mekong. The main purpose of the Commission was said to be “to establish the boundaries of ancient Cambodia in accordance with traditional collections and the location of the main ruins.” However, De Lagre died in 1868 in Yunnan (China) without completing the expedition. His assistant Marie Joseph Francis Garnier (1839-1873), explorer and Marine officer, continued the expedition and, based on its results, in 1873 published the book “The Explorer’s Journey.”
One of the results of the expedition, which traveled from the mouth of the Mekong to Yunnan, was the discovery that navigation on the Mekong is a difficult task. Strong currents, constantly emerging new shallows, and many tributaries that were difficult to navigate caused the French expedition a lot of trouble.
Famous Russian explorer Central Asia Pyotr Kuzmich Kozlov (1863-1935) made detailed description headwaters of the Mekong in Tibet in 1900
However, in the 20th century. The study of the Mekong was seriously hampered by military conflicts in the river basin (Indochina War 1946-54; Second Indochina War - 1957-1975; the regime of Pol Pot and Yeng Sary in Cambodia 1975-1979) excluded the possibility of full-scale scientific work.
It was not until 1994 that French explorer Michel Pessel (1937) and his expedition found the historical source of the Mekong by following the Black Mekong, historically the main channel of the river. In 2004, Chinese researchers reported the discovery of the geographical, that is, the most distant from the mouth, source of the Mekong, lying in the upper reaches of the White Mekong.
And the experts from the World Fund wildlife announced in 2008 that at least 1,068 new species of plants and animals had been discovered in the Mekong basin over the past ten years. These studies suggested that the biodiversity of this region is comparable to natural wealth Amazon basin.
For thousands of years, the river, which is often compared to the legendary dragon of Eastern legends, has given life to millions of people living in its basin. Today the Mekong is under threat, and the states in its basin must realize their responsibility.
The river, on which the very lives of the inhabitants of its basin, including humans, depend, today itself depends on the ability of the states in its basin to maintain the natural balance of the Mekong.
Under the auspices of the UN, since 1957, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand have cooperated within the Mekong River Commission, which continued even during the Vietnam War. In 1995, these countries signed an Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. However, these four countries do not control the upper reaches of the river basin, and China and Myanmar, part of whose territory is located in the upper reaches of the Mekong, refused to sign the Agreement.
In the work of the Commission established within the framework of the Agreement at the interstate level, the PRC and Myanmar participate as partners. They do not undertake to account for their actions to exploit the Mekong's opportunities to the rest of the countries in the river basin.
Today, in the spring of 2010, public organizations and the media of the countries of the Mekong River basin named the cause of the catastrophic shallowing of the river, threatening environmental and economic disaster to the entire region, as three hydroelectric power stations recently built by China in the upper reaches of the Mekong. The fact that navigation on the Mekong has been practically interrupted is associated with China’s reluctance to release part of the water stored in reservoirs. This, according to experts, is causing the river downstream to dry out at a rate that is too fast even for the hot season.
Considering that the PRC plans to build only eight hydroelectric power stations on its section of the river, the fourth of which will begin operating in 2010, then we are alarmed neighboring countries seems quite justified. There is already an opinion that the latest shallowing is the worst in decades.
However, the Chinese side, represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Hu Zhanggui, stated that “Chinese hydroelectric power stations cannot be the main reason for the shallowing of the Mekong.” The Chinese position is explained by the fact that only 13% of the Mekong's water comes from China, and the rest of the flow is formed by rain collected by the tributaries of the Mekong in the territories of countries located downstream of the river than China.
The International Mekong Commission said in March 2010 that the Mekong's shallowing was caused by unusually severe drought in Thailand and Laos. But there is an expert opinion that during the season when there is little rain in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, it is water from China that becomes extremely necessary for the normal functioning of the Mekong. In any case, the countries of the Mekong basin will have to find mutually acceptable solutions, since it is impossible to share their interests. After all, China is interested both in preserving coastal trade and in the rice harvests of its neighbors, a considerable part of which it buys.
general information
Official name: Mekong, the largest river of the Indochina Peninsula.
Source: Tangla Range on the Tibetan Plateau.
Main tributaries: Moon, Tonle Sap, U, Theng, San.
Countries through which the Mekong flows: China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand.
Main ports: Vientiane, Huai Xai (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Simao (China), Luang Prabang (Laos), Chiang Sen (Thailand).
Major airports: Tan Son Nhat - Ho Chi Minh City International Airport (Vietnam), Luang Prabang International Airport (Laos), Wattay International Airport (Vientiane, Laos), Phnom Penh International Airport (Cambodia), Udon Thani International Airport (Thailand).
The largest lake in the river basin: Tonle Sap.
Numbers
Pool area: 810,000 km 2.
Population: 250,000,000 people.
Population density: 308.6 people/km 2 .
Ethnic composition: more than 90 nationalities.
River length: 4500 km.
Delta area: 70,000 km2.
Average annual flow: 475 km 3.
Economy
■ Agriculture, irrigation of rice fields.■ Fisheries, annual catch of approximately 2.5 million tons.
■ Hydropower (mainly in China).
■ Shipping - up to 1600 km in high water. However, in recent years, navigation has been difficult due to the shallowing of the river.
Climate and weather
Subequatorial monsoon.average temperature: from +25ºС to +30ºС.
Rainy season: May to October, dry season from November to April.
Precipitation: up to 2000 mm per year.
Attractions
■ Kuangsi Waterfall;■ Ho Chi Minh City: Jade Emperor Pagoda, Zac Vien Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Historical Museum;
■ Luang Prabang: royal temple Wat Hieng Thong, Palace Museum, Pu Xi temple;
■ Vientiane: Great Stupa Pha Luang, temples Wat That Luang Neu and Wat That Luang Thai;
■ Udon Thani: Buddhist temples;
■ Phnom Penh: temple-mountain of Wat Prohm, National Museum, Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace.
Curious facts
■ The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The admired Khmer choreographic art was born out of expressive folk dances. The bas-reliefs of the Angkor temples have preserved for us numerous images of musicians and “heavenly dancers” - apsaras. Nowadays, Royal Ballet performances often take place against the backdrop of the temples of Angkor. Today, the process of learning the art of Khmer ballet lasts 10 years and each student is trained for one specific role.■ The Mekong Basin is home to about 430 species of mammals, 1,200 species of birds, 520 species of reptiles, 280 species of amphibians, and 1,200 species of fish. Flora of the region - about 20 thousand. various types plants. At the same time, scientists are finding more and more new, hitherto unknown species of flora and fauna.
■ In 2008, 163 new species of flora and fauna were discovered in the Mekong River Valley. According to the World Wildlife Fund, scientists discovered 100 previously unknown plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird. Thus, a fanged frog was discovered in eastern Thailand, and in the northern part of Vietnam - leopard gecko.
■ The Mekong River is one of five places in the world where famous freshwater dolphins Irrawaddy Thousands of dolphins once lived here. However, today this species is under threat of complete extinction due to river pollution. They have been included in the list of endangered animals since 2004. According to scientists, now no more than a few dozen dolphins remain in the Mekong.
■ One of the features of the Mekong Delta is water villages and floating markets. Many families simply live in their boats, while the wealthier ones build houses on stilts near the shore. Such a dwelling allows you to breed fish right next to the house, fencing off a small river space with a bamboo palisade. Floating markets are formed from a cluster of boats of traders, between which buyers also move on boats in search of the desired goods.
The Mekong River is considered one of the longest and largest rivers in the world. American gazetteer states that the Mekong is 4,350 kilometers long. Some sources say that the river ranks eleventh on the planet, while others say it ranks twelfth. Some rivers have controversial sources, so disagreements have arisen between geographers. Mighty water flow is located in southeast Asia, and also flows through four countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and China. On its right bank are the state borders of Thailand and Myanmar. Therefore, it turned out that six countries are firmly connected with this river. Where is .
The Mekong water flow begins on the Tibetan Plateau, we're talking about about the Tangla ridge, it's an endless series snowy mountains, six hundred kilometers long. Here, two mountain rivers begin their journey, which make their way through deep canyons, becoming the Mekong River. For this reason, the source of the Mekong River is located in the south of the Tibetan Plateau. In the middle and upper reaches, the water abounds in rapids and crosses gorges. They can often be seen during low level water. In fact, this is a long route to Cambodia, where the river enters the Cambodian plain. What does it look like?
Note that near the small Laotian town of Khon there is a waterfall of the same name. Although you can’t call it a waterfall, because it is a cascade of rapids. You can see a large number of small waterfalls flowing down. Water consumption is approximately nine thousand meters per day. The Mekong River is fed by snow and glaciers, and rain power occurs in the lower and middle reaches. Lakes and tributaries have great importance for the river, they provide the necessary additional volume of water.
Shipping on the Mekong River
During the rains, water from the Mekong flows into the Tonle Sap Lake, its depth is nine meters. Interestingly, this lake replenishes the Mekong during the dry season. This is the kind of mutual assistance they have. The river entering the river from the lake maintains the water flow at the proper level. Flows through Thailand major influx Mekong - Moon River with a length of 673 kilometers. The Mekong River is inextricably linked with shipping. Ocean liners travel up the river to Phnom Penh. A section of the river with a length of seven hundred kilometers is suitable for navigation. During the flood period, the water level in the river rises to fifteen meters, and then the length of the shipping route increases to 1600 kilometers.
On the banks of the Mekong there are such interesting cities as Vientiane and Luang Prabang. They belong to Laotian cities. Among the Cambodian cities it is worth highlighting: Stung Traeng, Phnom Penh and Kratie. The city of Can Tho is located in Vietnam, home to over a million people. Fewer people live in My Tho city, and even fewer in Ben Tre city. This mighty Mekong River has enormous energy potential, because it can provide tens of millions of kilowatts. Different countries have different interests in this matter. For example, the Chinese are ready to create five to ten hydroelectric power stations, but the residents of Cambodia and Laos are opposed to this.
If the river is blocked by dams, this will lead to a decrease in water levels. Note that the soil receives important nutrition It is thanks to the spills, because rice and some other crops are grown here. Chinese experts claim that this will not affect the river level. After all, the river is mainly fed by tributaries and rain. But Cambodians and Laotians are not so optimistic.
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