List of rivers of Iraq facts for kids
Iraq is a country in the Middle East, and it's famous for its amazing rivers. These rivers have been super important for thousands of years, helping people live, farm, and build cities. They are like the lifelines of Iraq, bringing water to dry lands.
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The Mighty Tigris and Euphrates
The two most famous rivers in Iraq are the Tigris and the Euphrates. They flow from mountains in Turkey and Syria, through Iraq, and then join together before reaching the Persian Gulf. This area between the two rivers is called Mesopotamia, which means "land between rivers." It's where some of the world's first civilizations began!
Rivers Flowing to the Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf is a large sea that borders Iraq. Many of Iraq's rivers eventually flow into it.
The Shatt al-Arab
The Shatt al-Arab is a short but very important river. It forms when the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet near the city of Basra. This river then flows into the Persian Gulf.
Rivers Joining the Euphrates
The Euphrates is the longest river in Western Asia. It flows through Iraq, providing water for farms and cities. Several smaller rivers and dry riverbeds, called wadis, connect to the Euphrates, especially during rainy seasons.
- Shatt al-Hayy (also known as Gharraf Canal) is a special river because it branches off from the Tigris and flows towards the Euphrates. It's like a natural shortcut between the two big rivers!
- Wadi al-Khirr
- Wadi al-Ubayyid
- Wadi al-Ghadaf
- Wadi Tharthar is a wadi that connects to Lake Tharthar, a large lake in Iraq.
- Wadi Hauran
Rivers Joining the Tigris
The Tigris river is another major river in Iraq, flowing parallel to the Euphrates. It's known for being faster and having more water. Many important rivers join the Tigris as it flows south.
- Diyala River: This river is important for farming in eastern Iraq. It joins the Tigris south of Baghdad.
- Khasa River: A smaller river that flows into the Tigris.
- 'Adhaim: This river also joins the Tigris.
- Little Zab: The Little Zab is a significant tributary that flows from Iran and joins the Tigris.
- Great Zab: The Great Zab is one of the largest tributaries of the Tigris. It flows from Turkey and is very important for water supply.
- Khazir River: A river that flows into the Great Zab.
- Khabur River: This river joins the Tigris in southeastern Turkey, close to the Iraqi border.
- Dujaila River: Another river that flows into the Tigris.
Desert Rivers: The Wadis
In the western part of Iraq, which is mostly desert (part of the Syrian Desert), you won't find big, flowing rivers all the time. Instead, there are "wadis." A wadi is a dry riverbed that only fills with water after heavy rain. They can become fast-flowing rivers for a short time!
- Wadi al-Mirah
- Wadi Hamir
- Wadi Ar'ar
- Wadi al Batin
See also
- List of dams and reservoirs in Iraq: Learn about how Iraq manages its water with dams.
- Water supply and sanitation in Iraq: Discover how people in Iraq get clean water.
