Among the geophysical records that are inherent in the water arteries of the Earth, one more should be noted - the height of the source and course of the river. Most of the world's rivers originate among mountain peaks and uplands, so we go on a trip and find out which is the highest mountain river.
The highest rivers in the world:
13
Orinoco
The mysterious and mysterious South American Orinoco begins to flow in the Guiana Plateau at an altitude of 1,047 meters.
Making several turns throughout the course, it flows into the Atlantic. For tourists and travelers, Orinoco is known for its unique fauna. Only here you can meet the Amazonian dolphin and a rare species of the Orinoca crocodile.
12
Kuban
First, let's go to the North Caucasus. In the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia, the confluence of two rivers begins the source of the Kuban River. The height of the source, where the two rivers Ulukam and Uchkulan met, is 1,339 meters.
The most interesting thing is that one of the names of the Kuban in the translation of the Karachay-Balkarian language sounds like “rising”.
11
Terek
On the slopes of the main Caucasian ridge is the source of the Terek, at an altitude of 2,713 meters above sea level. According to this indicator, it is the highest river in Russia.
Flowing through the mountain gorges, the river near Vladikavkaz goes to the foothill plain. It is an amazing fact that the place where the Terek flows into the Caspian Sea is at the level of -28 meters above sea level.
10
Lena
We note another magnificent river of Russia, originating among the peaks of the Baikal Range at an altitude of 1,466 meters.
The source of Lena is a small lake at the nameless peak, only 7 kilometers from Lake Baikal. The beginning of the river and the upper course, equal to one third of its length, falls on the mountainous regions of the Baikal region.
9
Nile
Fast forward from the northern latitudes to the hot expanses of Africa. One of the greatest waterways in the world flows from Lake Victoria at an altitude of 1,134 meters.
The upper course, crossing the rocky ridges of Uganda, forms multiple waterfalls. And the total drop in height in this part of the Nile is 670 meters.
8
Congo
Everyone knows that Congo is the deepest and most modern river in the world. But the source of the African waterway is at an altitude of 1,590 meters. The source is lost among marshy lakes and small streams.
Flowing along the plateau and mountain plateau in the upper reaches, the Congo falls from 475 meters to 70 meters above sea level.
7
Limpopo
But the source of the children of the Soviet Union and Russia, thanks to the work of Korney Chukovsky, the Limpopo River is located from African rivers above all - 1,800 meters.
Due to the large number of crocodiles, the local population and Europeans call Limpopo the “crocodile river”, so the writer was right.
6
Katun
One of the most picturesque rivers in Siberia, Katun originates at the foot of Belukha Mountain (4 509) in the heart of the Altai Mountains. The source of the river is fed by the Gebler Glacier, which is located at an altitude of slightly above 2 thousand meters above sea level. The river is 688 km long, after which Katun merges with Biya, forming the mighty Siberian Ob river.
According to TheBiggest, Katun is one of the most beautiful rivers in Russia. It is ideal for calm wild tourism.
5
By
There are many rivers in the European Alps. One of them, the Po River, hid its source among the peaks of the Kotsky Alps at an altitude of 2,222 meters.
Note that the peak of Monte Viso is the highest mountain of the Cote Alps. Over the first 35 kilometers, Poe loses 1,700 meters of its height and becomes a plain river in the north of Italy.
4
The rhine
But the highest source among European rivers is the Rhine. Its beginning is in the Alps at an altitude of 2,412 meters.
Crossing the mountains of Switzerland and France, the Rhine breaks through the Rhine Shale Mountains and enters the Central European Plain.
3
Colorado
In the southwestern United States flows majestic Colorado. But its source in the area of the mountain pass La Pudr is at an altitude of 3,104 meters.
With the exception of a few sections, Colorado is a fast and turbulent river that flows into the Gulf of California near the city of Yuma.
2
Indus
High in the Himalayas, at an altitude of about 5,300 meters, is the source of the sacred Indus to every Buddhist.
Indus overcomes a distance of almost one thousand kilometers through the Karakoram mountains, forming deep mountain gorges.
In the middle course, going down from the lowlands, it reaches the plain expanses of the Punjab, where a branched delta flows into the Indian Ocean.
1
Yangtze
The river has the highest source and course, originating in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. The source of the Yangtze is located at an altitude of approximately 5,600 meters.
In the upper reaches, an amazing river changes its direction several times, making its way through mountain ranges and passes. The highest river in the world with such behavior forms amazingly beautiful gorges.
Conclusion
As you can see, many rivers have high sources and then, descending into the valleys and lowlands, flow into the seas and oceans at zero. Only Terek is unique in this indicator, falling into the Caspian below the level of the World Ocean.
As shown by our small hydrological study, the highest rivers flow in Asia, originating in the highest mountain range in the world - the Himalayas.
TheBiggest editors are waiting for your comments. Write what other high rivers of the world have not deservedly not been on our list.