How big is the Mekong Basin?
795,000 km²
The Mekong’s drainage basin covers 795,000 km² 23% is located in Thailand, 21% in China, 20% in Cambodia, 8% in Vietnam, and the remaining 3% is in Myanmar. From its source in China to the border with the Lao PDR, the river drops very rapidly – 4,500 meters.
Which country benefits most from the Mekong River?
From its source in the Tibetan Plateau to its end in Vietnam, the Mekong River is a critical source of drinking water for the millions of people who live in its watershed.
What countries share the Mekong River?
Covering a distance of nearly 5,000 km from its source on the Tibetan Plateau in China to the Mekong Delta, the river flows through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Viet Nam.
Is the Mekong River drinkable?
Water quality of the Upper Mekong river is good with slightly alkaline, small dissolved salt content, and low potential toxic ions. The river carries 250 million ton of sediment per year. Sediments are rich in nutrients for agriculture cultivation but they are one of the drinking water treatment problems also.
Why is the Mekong Basin important?
Winding almost 3,000 miles from the Tibetan plateau down to the South China Sea, the Mekong River boasts the world’s largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for tens of millions of people.
What is the rank of Mekong River in the world?
twelfth longest river
The Mekong or Mekong River is a trans-boundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world’s twelfth longest river and the third longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,909 km (3,050 mi), and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi), discharging 475 km3 (114 cu mi) of water annually.
How much money does the Mekong River make?
VIETNAM – Fisheries in the Mekong River can bring in around $17 billion a year, making up about 3 per cent of the GDP of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, said the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The figures were based on the report that 4.4 million tons of aquatic products are caught from the river every year.
What countries the Mekong River flows through?
Which country in Asia has the most rivers in the world?
China (24 Rivers)
Are Thai and Lao the same?
It is also recognised as a minority language in Thailand and Cambodia. Lao and Thai languages are very similar to each other. In fact, the two languages are linguistically similar, though their writing script varies a bit. Thai is the native language of Thailand and is spoken in minority in Cambodia.
Where is Lao language from?
Laos
Lao language, also called Laotian, one of the Tai languages of Southeast Asia, and the official language of Laos. Lao occurs in various dialects, which differ among themselves at least as much as Lao as a group differs from the Tai dialects of northeastern Thailand.