Ganges Delta facts for kids
The Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta is a huge river delta located in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It's the biggest delta in the entire world!
This special area is also known by other names like the Brahmaputra Delta, the Sunderbans Delta, or the Bengal Delta. Because its land is super rich and fertile, it's often called The Green Delta.
Contents
What is the Ganges Delta?
The Ganges Delta is where several mighty rivers meet the sea. It empties into the Bay of Bengal. This delta stretches about 354 kilometers (220 miles) wide along the Bay of Bengal.
Rivers that Form the Delta
The flat, low-lying land of the delta is created by three main rivers:
- The Ganges River
- The Brahmaputra River
- The Meghna River
These rivers carry a lot of soil and sediment from the mountains and drop it as they slow down, forming the delta over thousands of years.
Where is the Delta Located?
The delta stretches from the Hooghly River in the west to the Meghna River in the east. It's a very important area for trade and travel.
Major Seaports in the Delta Region
There are several important seaports in the delta area:
- In India, the main seaports are Kolkata and Haldia.
- In Bangladesh, the main seaports are the Port of Mongla and Chittagong.
These ports help connect the region to the rest of the world for shipping goods.
Life in the Delta
The Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta is home to millions of people. It's a very busy place where people farm, fish, and live close to nature.
Farming and Food
Because the land is so fertile, farming is a huge part of life here. Rice is one of the most important crops grown. People also raise cattle and fish in the many rivers and ponds. These activities provide a lot of food for the people living in the delta.
Travel and Transport
With so many rivers and waterways, ferries are a common way to travel around the delta. There's a lot of activity at ferry piers as people move from one place to another. Large bridges, like the Vidyasagar Setu over the Hooghly River in Kolkata, also help connect different parts of the region.
Images for kids
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Delta of Ganges from the map of surveyor James Rennell (1778)
See also
In Spanish: Delta del Ganges para niños