Rivers are some of the most fascinating natural wonders on Earth. These large bodies of freshwater flow downhill in ribbon-like courses due to the force of gravity. They feed lakes, seas, oceans, and other rivers. Rivers are often full of life and also can create marvelous landscapes.

Many early human civilizations started on the basins of rivers. Most major cities around the world now stand on their banks. Among the thousands of rivers around the world, some stand out among the rest. This list looks at the ten most famous rivers in the world.

1. The Amazon

The Amazon River is located in South America, and travels through the countries of Brazil, Peru and Columbia. It is the largest river (in terms of volume) in the world, with a discharge of 208,978 cubic meters per second. It is also often thought of as the longest river, at 6993 kilometers, although there is some debate about the method used for measuring. The Amazon is also famous for being a rich and biodiverse ecosystem. Both the river itself and the shores along its edges are full of a variety of important plant and animal species, many of which can only be found in this region.

2. Nile River

The Nile River is the largest river in the world, and it’s known for being the lifeblood of Ancient Egypt as well as being incredibly important to Egypt today. This river is famous because it was an instrumental body of water for the dynasties of Ancient Egypt. Also, the Nile River is significant for agriculture, transportation, and drinking water.

3. The Mississippi

The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America and measures roughly 3730 kilometers in length. This wide and winding river is an impressive sight to see, and it passes through or borders ten different U.S. states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. As such, it is one of the world’s most important commercial water sources, providing power for many nearby cities. Its sheer size also means it is a habitat for a range of animals, and is a migratory line for many species of birds and fish.

4. Ganges River

Although it is not the largest river in Asia, the Ganges is still very important and well-known. This river has religious and cultural significance to Hindu people. Also, the river supplies water for those in its basin, providing millions of people with water needed for agriculture.

5. Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is arguably the most important one in all of China. This river’s massive basin helps supply water for agriculture throughout a large portion of the country. Moreover, this is the third-longest river in the entire world as well as the longest in China. Not only is this river incredibly helpful for agriculture, but it’s also home to the Three Gorges Dam. This is the largest hydroelectric power-generating dam in the entire world, and it has held that title for over a decade. Needless to say, the Yangtze River is very significant and deserving of its fame.

6. The Thames

The River Thames flows through southern England, and passes through the capital city of London. The river measures 346 kilometers in length and drains into the North Sea. It is the longest river completely in England (that is not including the rest of the UK). This river was important as it offered a route for travellers and traders to sail and steer boats from mainland Europe across the English Channel and right into the heart of the city. In modern times, important landmarks and buildings such as the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the parliament building, cathedrals and tourist attractions can all be found along the river’s edge.

7. The Murray River

Murray river is Australia’s longest river, and is located in the south-eastern part of the country. It measures 2508 kilometres long, and passes through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. As Australia is a dry and arid country, water sources such as the Murray are highly important. This river provides water for roughly 1.5 million homes across Australia, and is also used as an irrigation source for local farms.

8. Euphrates River

The Euphrates River’s greatest claim to fame is that it helped supply Mesopotamia with water. Mesopotamia was one of the first true civilizations of the ancient world. Mesopotamia is known for its advances in agriculture, social development, and inventions. Without this valuable water supply, human history would have been very different.

9. The Rio Orinoco

The Rio Orinoco or Orinoco River is among the largest rivers in South America, and it feeds the northern reaches of the continent. Its river basin, Orinoquia, covers ¾ of Venezuela. This river also is the fourth largest river in terms of water flow. The river features a spectacular diversity of environments and lifeforms. It also plays an important role in trade and transportation in many regions of the countries of Venezuela and Colombia. There are dredging activities in many parts of the region to accommodate larger ships.

10. The Mekong River

The Mekong River forms a border between East Asia and Southeast Asia. It passes through or borders the countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, and Myanmar. Some 60 million people rely on the Mekong River. It supports one of the largest and most diverse fishing industries in the world. Some of the common species found in the Mekong include giant river carp, freshwater stingray, Siamese giant carp, and giant catfish.Aside from being a source of food, the Mekong is considered to be second of all rivers in terms of biodiversity importance, behind the Amazon.