Which is the Third Longest River in the World?

Rivers are one of the most important natural resources on Earth. They give us water, food, and energy and are one of the major drivers of the economy in certain countries. They also help ships carry goods from one place to another. But, have you ever wondered which rivers are the longest in the world? 

When it comes to the longest river in the world, then the title is taken by the Nile River in Africa as it stretches for 6,650 km. Similarly, the Amazon River in South America comes second at around 6,400 km. But which river comes third? 

Let’s find out about which is the third longest river in the world, where it flows and why it is so important for the country. 

Third Longest River in the World

The Yangtze River is also known as the Chang Jiang, which means "Long River" in Chinese. It is often referred to as one of the "Mother Rivers" of China. This is the third longest river in the world and it is approximately 6,300 kms long. 

Where Does the Yangtze River Start and End?

Yangtze River starts from the southwest of Geladandong Peak, the main peak of the Tanggula Mountains. From its source, the river flows west to east through 10 provinces which are Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu as well as the city of Shanghai. It finally meets into the East China Sea. More than three-fourths of the river's course runs through mountains.

How Big is the Yangtze River Basin?

The Yangtze's basin extends for some 2,000 miles from west to east and for more than 600 miles from north to south, draining an area of 698,265 square miles (1,808,500 square kilometres). 

How Many People Live in the Yangtze River Basin?

Not only is it the third largest river in the world, the Yangtze River basin is also home to roughly 400 million people which is about one-third of China's population. The basin is also a key producer of the nation's rice.

The World Wildlife Fund mentions: “Here’s how big the Yangtze is. A third of all the inhabitants of China (which means more than 400 million people) live in the area covered by the Yangtze’s river basin.”

Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Chongqing, are some major cities on the Yangtze River and together they generate a significant portion of China's GDP.

How Does the Yangtze River Contribute to China’s Economy? 

The Yangtze River is not just a river. It is the backbone of China's economy. Spanning 11 provincial-level regions from the inland west to the eastern coast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt accounts for nearly half of national GDP. 

The Science Direct mentions: “The Yangtze River Economic Belt is the backbone of China's economy, generating more than 40% of the country's total economic output, and is the economic region with the strongest comprehensive strength and the greatest strategic support in China.”

What Are Three Gorges?

The Three Gorges is a 200-kilometre stretch of the Yangtze formed by the Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling gorges. This stretch of the river is known for its steep limestone walls and dramatic scenery. It has been celebrated in Chinese poetry and art for centuries.

Construction of the Three Gorges project began in 1994, and its reservoir began storing water in 2003. It has played a key role in flood control, power generation and navigation on the Yangtze River.

The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric power station. As per USGS, it produces 22,500 megawatts of electricity and reduces flood risk for 15 million people downstream. 

China Starts Mega Waterway Project on the World's Third Longest River

On June 8, 2026, China started building a massive new waterway project on the Yangtze River. The biggest part of this project is a giant ship lock, which will be the largest of its kind in the world. A ship lock is a section of a river where the water level can be raised or lowered to help ships move up or down the river safely.

The project costs 77.2 billion yuan, which is about 11.3 billion US dollars. When it is finished, it will allow almost double the amount of cargo to pass through the Three Gorges area every year. Right now, about 170 million tonnes of goods pass through each year. After the project is done, that number will go up to 336 million tonnes.

This is also the first big project China has started under its new five-year development plan that runs from 2026 to 2030. China also made sure the project does not harm the river's animals and plants. Special passages have been built so that fish can still swim freely through the river. 

The new ship lock and its connecting channels stretch for about 6,680 metres in total. Building it will take more than nine years to complete.

Which Animals Live Near Yangtze River?

The Yangtze River is home to some rare and endangered animals. It is home to 350 types of fish, 145 different amphibians, 166 reptiles, 762 kinds of bird, 280 mammals (including giant pandas!) and more than 14,000 different plants. 

The Yangtze River used to be one of only two rivers in the world that was home to two different species of dolphin, the Yangtze finless porpoise and the Baiji dolphin. However, in 2006 the Baiji dolphin was declared functionally extinct. This was the first time in history that an entire species of dolphin had been wiped off the planet because of human activity. 

The Yangtze is not just a geographical record holder. It is the economic backbone of China. It supports farming, fishing, transportation, and electricity generation for hundreds of millions of people. It is also a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization, with human settlements along its banks dating back thousands of years.