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Mekong River
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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. Mekong River A woman wearing a conical hat stands and rows a small wooden boat in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using crossed high braces; other people in boats and stilted houses appear in the background. Khone Falls Krâchéh
Learn about the declining fish population in the Mekong River and its impact on the fishermen
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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.
Irrawaddy and Mekong river basins The Irrawaddy and Mekong river basins and their drainage networks.

Mekong River

river, Southeast Asia
Also known as: Lan-ts’ang Chiang, Lancang Jiang, Mékôngk River, Mènam Khong, Mae Nam Khong, Sông Tiên Giang, Song Cuu Long(Show More)
Written by
Lewis Owen
Assistant Professor of Geology, University of California, Riverside. Author of An Introduction to Global Environmental Issues and Environmental Management: Readings and Case Studies.
Lewis OwenAll
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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

Mekong River, river that is the longest river in Southeast Asia, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world. It has a length of about 2,700 miles (4,350 km). Rising in southeastern Qinghai province, China, it flows through the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan province, after which it forms part of the international border between Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, as well as between Laos and Thailand. The...

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