Irrawaddy River

Introduction
Physical features
- Physiography
- Climate
- Hydrology
People
Economy
- Navigation
- Irrigation
History

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Physical map showing the Irrawaddy and Mekong river basins and their drainage networks across Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of China and India. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, highlights major rivers, mountain ranges, plateaus, and includes canals and railroads. An inset locator map shows the region's position within Asia.

A boat floats on the Irrawaddy River in front of Sagaing Hill, which is topped with golden Buddhist stupas and surrounded by monastery buildings in Myanmar.

At a Glance

Irrawaddy River summary

Quizzes

Tower Bridge over the Thames River in London, England. Opened in 1894. Remains an Important Traffic Route with 40,000 Crossings Every Day.

Guess the City by Its River Quiz

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms

Related Questions

Does the Irrawaddy River flow outside Myanmar?
How are teak logs transported down the Irrawaddy River?
How did Pagan benefit from the Irrawaddy River valley?
How did the Burmese use the Irrawaddy River as they spread into central Myanmar?
How do silt and alluvium make the Irrawaddy River delta fertile?
How do the Irrawaddy River and the Sittang River differ as transportation routes?
How does the Irrawaddy River flow after leaving the third defile?
How does the Irrawaddy River support farming in Myanmar’s central dry zone?
How does the Mali River differ from the Nmai River?
How large is the Irrawaddy River drainage basin?
How large was the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company fleet by 1940?
How long is the Irrawaddy River?
How much of Myanmar is drained by the Irrawaddy River and its tributaries?
How quickly does the Irrawaddy River delta extend into the Andaman Sea?
In which month does the Irrawaddy River usually reach its highest water level?
In which month does the Irrawaddy River usually reach its lowest water level?
What are the three defiles of the Irrawaddy River?
What caused the Irrawaddy River to bend sharply westward near Kabwet?
What does the name Irrawaddy mean?
What role does Chauk play in Myanmar’s petroleum trade?
When does the Irrawaddy River receive its heaviest monsoon rainfall?
Where does the Ava Bridge cross the Irrawaddy River?
Where does the Chindwin River join the Irrawaddy River?
Where does the Irrawaddy River begin?
Where does the Irrawaddy River delta begin?
Where is the first Irrawaddy River defile located?
Which Irrawaddy River ports have good landing facilities?
Which city marks the northern limit of seasonal navigation on the Irrawaddy River?
Which city marks the northern limit of year-round navigation on the Irrawaddy River?
Which crops are especially important in the southern Irrawaddy River basin and delta?
Which distributary is the easternmost branch of the Irrawaddy River delta?
Which distributary is the westernmost branch of the Irrawaddy River delta?
Which goods are carried on the Irrawaddy River?
Which groups of people live along the upper Irrawaddy River?
Which mountain ranges border the lower Irrawaddy River valley?
Which sea receives the water of the Irrawaddy River?
Which two rivers join to form the Irrawaddy River?
Which type of rock forms the second defile of the Irrawaddy River?
Why do ports on the Irrawaddy River need separate high-water and low-water landing points?
Why does Yangon Harbour need regular dredging?
Why does the Chindwin valley rely heavily on river transportation?
Why does the Irrawaddy River bend westward below Bhamo?
Why does the Irrawaddy River’s water volume rise during summer?
Why is navigation from Bhamo to Myitkyina seasonal?
Why is rice a major commercial cargo on the Irrawaddy River?
Why is the Nmai River difficult to navigate?
Why might the Irrawaddy River’s westward course below Mandalay be geologically recent?
Where does the Yenisey River begin and end?
What animals live in the Yenisey River?
Where does the water for the Yenisey River come from?
Why is the Ganges River considered holy in Hinduism?
What are the main causes of pollution in the Ganges River?
What is the geographic location of Myanmar?

Geography & Travel Physical Geography of Water Rivers & Canals

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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Irrawaddy, or Ayeyarwady, River - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Irrawaddy River

river, Myanmar

Also known as: Ayeyarwady River

Written by

Surinder M. Bhardwaj

Professor Emeritus of Geography, Kent State University, Ohio. Author of Hindu Places of Pilgrimage in India: A Study in Cultural Geography.

Surinder M. BhardwajAll

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Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

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History

Irrawaddy River, principal river of Myanmar (formerly Burma), running through the centre of the country. Myanmar’s most important commercial waterway, it is about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) long. Its name is believed to derive from the Sanskrit term airāvatī, meaning “elephant river.” The river flows wholly within the territory of Myanmar. Its total drainage area is about 158,700 square miles (411,000 square km). Its valley forms the historical, cultural, and economic heartland of Myanmar. The...

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