Q1. What is a river?
A natural water course, moving across the lands from higher to lower elevation through the plains.
Q2. What are the sources for a river to form?
Normally originates from "Catchment areas" where rainfall is very heavy and from mountains where the melting of ice causes down flow of water.
Q3. What is "Head waters"?
The source of water flow.
Q4. What is a Distributary?
One or more rivers branching out from a major or large river.
Q5. What is a Tributary?
A small river joining a bigger one.
Q6. What is an Estuary?
Funnel shaped mouth of a river caused by the sinking of a lower part of the river valley.
Q7. What is a Flood Plain?
Low lying land by the side of a river that is regularly flooded when the river overflows into its banks.
Q8. What is Flood?
An overflow of water, an expanse of water that submerges a land, a deluge.
Q9. What are Rapids?
Are parts of river where the water rushes rapidly over upturned rocks often forming series of miniature water falls.
Q10. What is a River Bar?
A sand bank which forms across the mouth of a river that often makes navigation difficult.
Q11. What is a River Basin?
A whole area of land drained by a river.
Q12. What is a River Loop?
Are formed where a river flows across a gently sloping plain. Eg. Mississippi river which has enormous loops.
Q13. What is a Wadi?
A desert river which remains largely dry except when fed by rain water.
Q14. What is "Water - parting" or "Water shed"?
The elevated land separating the source of two different river system, also called a "Water shed".
Q15. How the water flow of a river is measured?
It is the volume of water, which passes through a given volume per unit time, measured in cubic meters. The formula is 1m(cube)=35.31 ft/s = CUSEC =Cubic feet per second.
RIVERS ABROAD
Q16. Which is the world's longest river?
Nile - 6695 Kms.
Q17. Where is the origina of river Nile?
Originates from two places in Africa and the confluence takes place in Sudan at its capital Khartoum.
Q18. River Nile Passes through which countries?
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.
Q19. What are the tributaries of River Nile?
1. BLUE NILE: Rises from Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows through Sudan to confluence with White Nile in Sudan's capital Khartoum to become one single Nile.
2. WHITE NILE: Rising from Great Lakes of Central Africa, passes through Tanzania, Lake Victoria, Uganda and Southern Sudan.
Q20. Where does the river Nile drain into?
Mediterranean Sea, Egypt.
Q21. What is the major dam, one of the world's largest built across river Nile?
Aswan Dam, Egypt.
Q22. What is the major and fertile delta formed by river Nile?
Nile Delta.
Q23. What is the largest river in the world?
Amazon.
Q24. Where is the origin of river Amazon?
1. Generally believed to be from Apurimac, Nevado Mismi in Peru, Andes mountains.
2. However, by the end of 2008 researchers have confirmed that Amazon originates from a stream of the Apacheta river, in the Arequipa region in Southern Peru.
Q25. What is the length of Amazon River?
6400 Kms - Second in length.
Q26. What are the tributaries of river Amazon?
Maranon, Japura, Rio Negro, Purus, Madeira, Tapajos, Tocatins.
Q27. River Amazon drains into?
South Atlantic Ocean in Brazil.
Q28. Is river Amazon navigable?
Yes, for nearly 3000 Kms.
Q29. How big is the river basin of Amazon river?
Largest river basin with nearly 7 million SQKM.
Q30. What is the flow of water on an average of river Amazon per second?
Average 119000 Cubic meter per second. The greatest flow of water.
Q31. Where is Mississippi river?
USA (North America)
Q32. Where is the origin of river Mississippi?
Lake Itasca, Minnesota, USA.
Q33. What is the length of river Mississippi?
3734 Kms.
Q34. What is the tributary of river of Mississippi?
Missouri - 3767 Kms - originates from Montana, in USA.
Q35. Where do the river Mississippi and Missouri confluence?
Near St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Q36. What is the nickname of river Missouri and Why?
BLACK MUDDY - or Black River because of high silt content.
Q37. What is the longest river of Asia which is also the third longest river in the world?
YANGTZE KIAND - China - 6211 Kms.
Q38. Where does river Yangtze river originate, travel through and drain into?
Originates at Qinghai in Tibet and travels through China and drains into East China Sea at Shanghai.
Q39.
HWANG HO also called the Yellow and Golden river and called so because of its regular flooding.
Q40. What is the origin, length and draining of river Hwang Ho?
Qinghai Province in Tibet - 5464 Kms and drains into Pacific Ocean.
Q41. What major event took place on river Hwang Ho in 1938?
In 1938, it was made to flood to prevent Japanese entry into China during the II Sino Japanese War, resulting in the death of around 5 lakh people.
Q42. Where is river Yeneissei?
Siberia (Asia) - Originates at Mount Tannoula, runs for 5300 Kms and drains into Arctic Ocean.
Q43. Where is river Ob-Irtyish?
Siberia - Asia - Combination of Ob and Irtyish rivers. Originates from Atlas Kirai in Siberia and China-runs for 5410 Kms-drains into Kara Sea.
Q44. Where is river Amur?
Originates from China, passes through Russia and Mongolia for 4444 Kms and drains into Pacific Ocean.
Q45. Where is river Congo?
Central Africa. Originates from the mountains of the East African Rift and lake Tanganyika and Lake Mweru. It is called as Congo from the point of Royoma Falls. It is about 4667 Kms in length passes through DR Congo, Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo and drains into Atlantic Ocean.
Q46. What is the special feature of river Congo?
Its entire stretch is navigable.
Q47. Where is river Lena?
Originates from Baikal Mountains in Siberia, Russia, runs for 4400 Kms in Russia and drains into Arctic Ocean.
Q48. Where is river Niger?
Nigeria (in Sierra Leone). It is about 4800 Kms and drains into Gulf of Guinea in Atlantic Ocean.
Q49. Where is river Danube?
Europe's major river. Originates near Baden in Germany, in the Black Forest, passes through Germany, Austria, Sloevania, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine (in all 9 countries) and drains into Black Sea. (Length 2872 Kms)
Q50. A bridge across river Danube connects two countries. What are they?
Hungary and Slovakia.
Q51. River Danube has the unique record of touching capitals of four countries. What are they?
1. Vienna - Austria. 2. Bratislava - Slovakia. 3. Budapest - Hungary. 4. Belgrade - Serbia.
Q52. Where are Murray and Darling rivers?
Australia. Originates in the Alps of Australia, runs for 3720 Kms and drains into Indian Ocean.
Q53. Where is river Volga?
Russia - Originates from Valdai Plateau, Moscos - runs for 3700 Kms and drains into Caspian Sea.
Q54. Where is river Amur Darya?
Central Asia - Originates from the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia, passes through Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and drains into Aral Sea after running for about 2400 Kms.
Q55. Where is river Colorado?
USA and MEXICO. It is about 2330 Kms and drains into Gulf of California. The Grand Canyon lies on this river.
Q56. Where is river Euphrates?
Also called Tigris. Originates from Turkey runs 2800 Kms through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq and drains into the Persian Gulf. The river has Greek mythological connection.
Q57. Where is river Mekong?
South East Asia's one of the longest river. The origin is in Tibet, passes through Tibet, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its length is approximately 4909 Kms and drains into South China Sea.
Q58. Where is river Jordan?
On the West Bank (Palestine) and Jordan border, runs for 251 Kms and drains into Dead Sea, Jordan. Jesus was baptized on this river. It is a holy river for both Christians and Muslims.
Q59. Where is River Rhine?
Europe. Originates from Switzerland, runs for 1320 Kms through Belgium, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Austria, Germany, France and Netherlands before draining into North Sea in Netherlands.
Q60. Where is river Zambesi?
Africa. Originates from Zambia - runs for 2574 Kms through Zambia, Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It drains into Indian Ocean..
Q61. Mention other major or minor rivers abroad?(other than India)
| Name |
Country |
Origin |
Length (KMS) |
| 1. Yukon |
US/Canada |
Atlin lake, British Columbia, Canada |
3190 |
| 2. Sao Francisco |
Brazil |
Canastra Mountains, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
3160 |
| 3. Parana |
S.America |
Paranaiba river, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
4880 |
| 4. Orinoco |
Venezeula |
Parima Mountains, Venezeula |
2140 |
| 5. Driepier |
Russia |
Valdai Hills |
2290 |
| 6. Columbia |
Canada |
Columbia Lake |
2000 |
| 7. McKenzie |
Canada |
Slave Lake |
1738 |
| 8. Snake |
USA |
Rocky Mountains, Wyoming |
1735 |
| 9. Magdalena |
Columbia |
Colombian Massif, Colombia |
1528 |
| 10. Helmand |
Afghanistan |
Hindkush |
1150 |
| 11. Elbe |
Germany |
Krkonose, Czech |
1091 |
| 12. Tagus |
Spain/Portugal |
Aragon, Spain |
1038 |
| 13 Meuse |
France |
Le-Chatelet-sur-meuse, France |
925 |
| 14. Seine |
France |
Burgundy, France |
776 |
| 15. Thames |
UK (London) |
Gloucestershire, UK |
346 |
INDIAN RIVERS
Q62. What are the major rivers of India?
Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Damodar, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, Tunghabadra.
Q63. How the rivers of India are classified into river systems?
1. HIMALAYAN - Comprises of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus.
2. DECCAN - Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi, Damodar, Tungabhadra etc.,
Q64. Which is the longest river of India?
Brahmaputra.
Q65. Where is the origin of Brahmaputra?
Mt. Kailash, Tibet.
Q66. What is the length of Brahmaputra and it passes through?
2900 Kms - passes through Tibet, India and Bangladesh, before draining into Bay of Bengal.
Q67. How is river Brahmaputra called in Tibet and Bangladesh?
Yarlung or Dihang in Tibet.Jamuna in Bangladesh.
Q68. From which point or place the river Brahmaputra assume its name?
From the point of the confluence of Dihang and Lohit rivers of Tibet.
Q69. From where river Brahmaputra breaks into to separate channels and joins 100 Kms later?
Between Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur in Assam and joins 100 kms later.
Q70. What is the name of the island formed by river Brahmaputra?
Majuli - world's largest river based island.
Q71. Through which states of India, does river Brahmaputra pass through?
Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Q72. Into which neighbouring country does river Brahmaputra enter and what happens thereafter?
Bangladesh - merges with Ganges and becomes river Jamuna.
Q73. Where does river Brahmaputra drain into?
Chandpur in Bangladesh, into Bay of Bengal.
Q74. Where river Damodar originate?
Chandwa village in Jharkhand.
Q75. River Damodar is a major tributary to?
River Hooghly.
Q76. River Damodar passes through?
Jharkhand and West Bengal for 592 Kms.
Q77. River Damodar is also called?
"Sorrow of Bengal" because of its regular flooding during monsoon.
Q78. Which India's first and famous Public Sector Undertaking lies on river Damodar?
Damodar Valley Corporation - a hydro electric project.
Q79. Where does river Damodar join river Hooghly?
Near South Kolkatta.
Q80. Which is the largest river of India?
Ganges.
Q81. Where does river Ganges originate?
Gangotri Glaciers, Himalaya, Uttarakhand.
Q82. What are the five head streams of river Ganges?
Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Alaknanda, Dauli Ganga and Pindaar.
Q83. Where does river Ganges appear on plains?
Haridwar in the Shiwalik Hills.
Q84. What is the total length of river Ganges?
2510 Kms.
Q85. Through which states river Ganges pass through?
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
Q86. Which rivers form the tributaries of Ganges?
Brahmaputra, Gomti, Kosi, Gandak, Gaghra, Yamuna and Son.
Q87. What are the cities and towns located on the banks of river Ganges?
Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varnasi, Patna, Mirzapur and Bhagalpur.
Q88. With which rivers does Ganges confluence, at which place and how the confluence is called?
Confluences with Yamuna and Saraswai at Allahabad and it is called the Sangamam, a holy place for the Hindus.
Q89. At which place does Ganges branches out, to form a distributary and again into another major river?
At Pakaur in Orissa, it begins its first attrition, with the branching away of its first distributary known as Bhagirathi which goes on to form Hooghly.
Q90. Into which country does the river Ganges enter into and comes to be known?
Bangladesh - where it is called as Padma, and joins river Jamuna(Brahmaputra).
Q91. What are the famous Indian festivals held on the banks of river Ganges?
Kumbhmela once in 12 years and Chat Puja annually in Bihar.
Q92. Which mythological prince is attributed to bring river Ganges to earth?
It is believed that Prince Bhagiratha brought Ganges to earth by his penance.
Q93. Where does river Godavari originate?
Originates from Trimbhak in Nasik Dt., Maharashtra from the western ghats.
Q94. What is the direction of the flow of river Godavari?
West to East.
Q95. What is the length of river Godavari and it passes through?
1465 Kms - passes through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and drains into Bay of Bengal.
Q96. What are the tributaries of River Godavari?
Indravati, Manjira, Bindusara and Sabari rivers.
Q97. What are the towns/cities located on the banks of river Godavari?
Nasik, Nanded (Maharashtra), Bhadrachalam and Rajahmundry (Andhra)
Q98. Does river Hooghly originate individually?
No, it is a major distributary of Ganges. It actually takes off from Ganges at Pakaur in Orissa (near Berhampur) and runs as Bhagirati before becoming Hooghly from South Kolkatta.
Q99. River Bhagirathi/Hooghly runs for how much distance and drains into?
260 Kms and drains into Bay of Bengal, near Nupur in West Bengal.
Q100. What are the major twin cities located on the banks of River Hooghly?
Howrah and Kolkatta.
Q101. What are the distributaries of river Hooghly?
Damodar and Rupnarayan.
Q102. Which famous port is located on river Hooghly?
Haldia.
Q103. What are the famous bridges across river Hooghly in Kolkatta connecting the twin cities of Kolkatta and Howrah?
1. Howrah 2. Vidyasagar and 3. Vivekananda (suffix setu. For more details see under "Bridges and Tunnels")
Q104. Where river Indus originate?
From the Tibetan Plateau near lake Manasarovar.
Q105. What is the length of river Indus, passes through and drains into?
3200 Kms - Travels through Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. Drains into Arabian Sea, Port city Karachi, Pakistan
Q106. Indus together with other rivers form the "Sapta Sindhu" meaning seven rivers. What are they?
Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum, Beas and Saraswati, and along with Indus, form the Sapta Sindhu and also forms the Delta in Sind Province,Pakistan.
Q107. How many tributaries are there for Indus?
Twenty.
Q108. Where does river Cauvery originate?
From Talakaveri, in Western Ghats, Karnataka.
Q109. What is the length of Cauvery, flows through which states and finally drain into?
765 Kms - travels through Karnataka and Tamilnadu and drain into Bay of Bengal near Poompuhar in Tamilnadu.
Q110. What are the tributaries of river Cauvery?
Amaravathy, Arkavathi, Honnuhole, Hemavathy, Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani and Noyyal.
Q111. What are the two famous waterfalls on river Cauvery?
1. Sivasamudram Falls, near Mysore, Karnataka. 2. Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri Dt., Tamilnadu.
Q112. What is the major dam built on river Cauvery?
Mettur Dam. The reservoir is known as Stanley reservoir. (Tamilnadu).
Q113. What are the three island towns located on river Cauvery?
1. Siva Samudra 2. Srirangapattinam and 3. Srirangam.
Q114. Where is the origin of river Narmada?
Amarakantak Hills in Madhya Pradesh.
Q115. What is the length of Narmada, it flows through and rain into?
1289 Kms - flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Drains into Arabian Sea near Baruch Dt., Gujarat.
Q116. What is the unique physical feature of river Narmada?
1. It is the only east to west flowing river of India.
2. Forms a traditional boundary between North and South India.
Q117. What proposed project, a major controversy in the recent past, is expected to come across Narmada river?
Sardar Sarovar Hydro Electric Project. It was contended by the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Supreme Court has cleared the project and is expectyed to be completed by 2025, with a number of small and medium sized dams on the upstream.
Q118. What is the other name for river Krishna?
Krishnaveni.
Q119. Where does river Krishna originate?
From Mahabaleshwar in the western ghats of Maharashtra.
Q120. What is the distance and course of river Krishna?
1300 Kms - flows through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Drains into Bay of Bengal at Hemasala Deevi in A.P.
Q121. What are the tributaries of river Krishna?
Tunga and Bhadra, two separate rivers rising from the western ghats and become one single river Tungabhadra and forms a tributary of Krishna. River Bhima is also a tributary of river Krishna.
Q122. What are the major projects built across the river Krishna?
Sri Sailam and Nagarjuna dams.
Q123. What are the famous Lord Shiva temples lying on the banks of river Krishna?
Sangameshwar at Haripur and Ram Ling at Sangli, in Maharashtra.
Q124. Where does river Sabarmati originate?
Originates from the Aravalli Hills in Udaipur of Rajasthan. Runs for 371 Kms within Gujarat (flowing west) and drains into Gulf of Cambay.
Q125. What is the historical importance attached to river Sabarmati?
Gandhiji's Ashram is located on the banks of this river at Ahmedabad.
Q126. Where are the rivers Tunga and Bhadra?
Both originates from the western ghats within Karnataka, travel within Karnataka and confluence at Koodili near Shimoga to become Tungabhadrato join river Krishna.
Q127. Where does river Bhima originate and flow through?
Originate in Bhima Shankar Hills of the western ghats, travels for 725 Kms through Maharashtra, A.P. and Karnataka and joins river Krishna as its tributary.
Q128. What are the famous temples on the banks of river Bhima?
1. Bhima Shankar - a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva on the Sahyadri ranges, Maharashtra.
2. Vittobha Temple at Pandharpur, Pune - Sholapur Highway in Maharashtra.
Q129. Where does Tapti river originate and flow through?
Originates in the Satpura ranges in Madhya Pradesh, runs for 724 Kms through Maharashtra, Vidharba and Gujarat and drains in the Gulf of Cambay in Arabian Sea.
Q130. Where is Shravati river and what is the importance about it?
Originates at Ambutirtha in Tirthahalli Taluk, Karnataka. The famous Jog Falls is located on this river near Hassan. After travelling 122 Kms within Karnataka, drains into Arabian Sea at Honavar.
Q131. What are the other minor rivers and the states in which they flow?
1. Chalakudi - Kerala
2. Kabini, Kerala/Karnataka;
3. Chittar, Tamilnadu
4. Chaliyar, Kerala.
5. Mala Prabha - Karnataka
6. Manimuthar, Tamilnadu.
7. Netravati, Karnataka
8. Parambikulam, Tamilnadu.
9. Pennar, Tamilnadu
10. Tambaraparani, Tamilnadu
11. Musi, Hyderabad, A.P.
Q132. What is special about the dam built across Parambikulam river in Tamilnadu?
In terms of volume capacity the dam built across the river ranks No.1 in India and ranks within ten of the world.
Q133. What is special about Manimuthar river of Tamilnadu?
Originating from the western ghats in Tirunelvely Dt., Tamilnadu it travels only for 9 Kms and joins Tambaraparani river at Kallidaikurichy in Tamilnadu.
Q134. River Tapti is named after?
Daughter of Lord Surya.
Q135. Which Indian river's name is most mentioned in early vedic literatures?
Sindhu.
Q136. Sum up the East and West flowing rivers of India?
East Flowing: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Cauvery.
West Flowing: Narmada and Tapti.
GENERAL QUESTIONS ON RIVERS
Q137. Which is the shortest or smallest river in the world?
Roe in Montana, USA - runs only for 61 meters, still classified as a river.
Q138. In terms of water flow which is the largest river in the world?
Amazon.
Q139. Which river is mainly responsible for carving out the Grand Canyon?
Colorado, USA.
Q140. Which is the longest river of West Asia and an important one of Afghanistan?
Amu Darya.
Q141. Which are the longest rivers of Europe?
Volga and Danube respectively.
Q142. In Scotland what is called the "Scottish River of Spirit" or "Water Devil" and believed to be haunting the Scottish Rivers?
Kelpie - a supernatural water horse from Celtic Folklores
Q143. What is the famous dam across river Colorado of USA?
HOOVER DAM - the largest dam in the world - lies between Nevada and Arizona provinces, USA.
Q144. The colour black and river Danube have a relation. What is it?
Originates from Black forest, Germany and drains into Black Sea.
Q145. River Blue Nile originates from?
Lake Tana, Ethiopia.
Q146. Biobio is a river of which country?
Chile.
Q147. Where is Wangchu river?
Myanmar.
Q148. Who discovered the course of Zambesi river, Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi?
David Livingstone, Scottish Congregationalist.
Q149. What is the longest river in Greece?
Achelous.
Q150. Where is the river Limpopo?
Mozambique.
