Onon (river) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Onon |
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In Khentii Province
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The Onon joins the Silka which joins the Amur
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| Other name(s) | Onon gol |
| Country | Mongolia, Russia |
| Aimag | Khentii |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | eastern Khentii Mountains 48°50′29″N 108°47′18″E / 48.8413°N 108.7883°E |
| River mouth | Shilka 51°42′21″N 115°50′40″E / 51.70583°N 115.84444°E |
| Length | 1,032 km (641 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Shilka→ Amur→ Sea of Okhotsk |
| Basin size | 96,200 km2 (37,100 sq mi) |
The Onon River is a long and important river in Mongolia and Russia. It is about 1,032 kilometers (641 miles) long. This makes it one of the longest rivers in the world! The area that drains into the Onon River covers about 96,200 square kilometers (37,100 square miles).
Contents
Where the Onon River Flows
The Onon River starts in the eastern part of the Khentii Mountains in Mongolia. It flows for about 298 kilometers (185 miles) through Mongolia. After that, it enters the Russian Far East. Here, it flows through a region called the Khentei-Daur Highlands.
Joining Other Rivers
As the Onon River continues its journey, it flows between two mountain ranges. These are the Mogoytuy and Borshchovochny mountains. Eventually, the Onon River meets another river called the Ingoda. When these two rivers join, they form a new river called the Shilka.
The Onon-Shilka-Amur River System
The Onon River is part of a much bigger river system. This system includes the Onon, Shilka, and Amur rivers. Together, these three rivers create one of the world's ten longest river systems! Their combined length is over 4,400 kilometers (2,700 miles).
Smaller Rivers Joining the Onon
Many smaller rivers flow into the Onon River. These are called tributaries.
- From the right side, rivers like the Khurkhyn Gol, Borzya, and Unda join the Onon.
- From the left side, rivers such as the Agutsa, Kyra, and Aga add their waters to the Onon.
The Onon River in History
The upper part of the Onon River is a very special place in history. Many people believe it is where Genghis Khan was born. Genghis Khan was a famous leader who founded the Mongol Empire. He is said to have grown up near the banks of this river.
The Secret History of the Mongols
An ancient book called The Secret History of the Mongols tells us about the early days of the Mongol people. It begins with a story about a blue-gray wolf and a beautiful doe. They traveled to the source of the Onon River. Near a mountain called Burkhan Khaldun, their first son was born. His name was Bat Tsagaan. This story shows how important the Onon River was to the Mongol people's history and legends.
See also
In Spanish: Río Onon para niños
