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Pearl River (China)
Encyclopedia
The Pearl River or less commonly, the "Guangdong
River" or "Canton River" etc., , is an extensive river system in southern China
. The name Pearl River is usually used as a catchment term to refer to the watersheds of the Xi Jiang ("West River"), the Bei Jiang ("North River"), and the Dong Jiang ("East River"). These rivers are all considered tributaries of the Pearl River because they share a common delta
, the Pearl River Delta
. Measured from the farthest reaches of the Xi Jiang, the Pearl River system is China
's third longest river
(2,400 km, after the Yangtze River
and the Yellow River
), and second largest by volume (after the Yangtze). The 409,480 km² Pearl River Basin (珠江流域) drains the majority of South Central
(Guangdong
and Guangxi
provinces), as well as parts of Southwest
(Yunnan
, Guizhou
, Hunan
and Jiangxi
provinces) in China, and Northeast
of Vietnam (Cao Bằng
and Lạng Sơn
).
As well as referring to the system as a whole, the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) name is also applied to a specific branch within the system. This Pearl River is the widest distributary
within the delta, although considerably short. The waters that converge east of the Bei Jiang are first referred to as the Pearl River just north of Guangzhou
. The Pearl River is famed as the river that flows through Guangzhou. The Pearl River's estuary
, Bocca Tigris
, is regularly dredged so as to keep it open for ocean vessels. The mouth of the Pearl River forms a large bay in the southeast of the delta, the Zhujiang Kou. This bay separates Macau
and Zhuhai
from Hong Kong
and Shenzhen
.
The Pearl River is named this because of all the pearl coloured shells that lie at the bottom of the river in the section that flows through the city of Guangzhou.
The Pearl River is thought to be one of the world's most polluted waterways.
A 500 kV
-power line, suspended from three of the tallest pylons in the world, the Pylons of Pearl River Crossing, crosses the river near its mouth.
Zhujiang Brewery, one of the three largest domestic breweries in China, is located on the Pearl River Delta within the city of Guangzhou
.
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
River" or "Canton River" etc., , is an extensive river system in southern China
South Central China
South Central China is a region of the People's Republic of China defined by governmental bureaus that includes the provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, however excluding the 2 special administrative regions : Hong Kong and...
. The name Pearl River is usually used as a catchment term to refer to the watersheds of the Xi Jiang ("West River"), the Bei Jiang ("North River"), and the Dong Jiang ("East River"). These rivers are all considered tributaries of the Pearl River because they share a common delta
River delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
, the Pearl River Delta
Pearl River Delta
The Pearl River Delta , Zhujiang Delta or Zhusanjiao in Guangdong province, People's Republic of China is the low-lying area surrounding the Pearl River estuary where the Pearl River flows into the South China Sea...
. Measured from the farthest reaches of the Xi Jiang, the Pearl River system is China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's third longest river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
(2,400 km, after the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
and the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
), and second largest by volume (after the Yangtze). The 409,480 km² Pearl River Basin (珠江流域) drains the majority of South Central
South Central China
South Central China is a region of the People's Republic of China defined by governmental bureaus that includes the provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, however excluding the 2 special administrative regions : Hong Kong and...
(Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
and Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
provinces), as well as parts of Southwest
Southwest China
Southwest China is a region of the People's Republic of China defined by governmental bureaus that includes the municipality of Chongqing, the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, and the Tibet Autonomous Region.-Provinces:-Municipalities:...
(Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
and Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
provinces) in China, and Northeast
Dong Bac
The Northeast is the region at the north of the Red River Delta, Vietnam. Northeast called to distinguish them from the Northwest, but it's actually in the north and northeast of Hanoi, wider than Việt Bắc. The northeast is one of three sub-regions of northern Vietnam...
of Vietnam (Cao Bằng
Cao Bang Province
Cao Bằng is a province of northeastern Vietnam. The province has borders with Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Bắc Kạn, and Lạng Sơn provinces within Vietnam. It also has common international border with Guangxi province of the People's Republic of China...
and Lạng Sơn
Lạng Sơn Province
Lạng Sơn is a province in far northern Vietnam, bordering Guangxi province in China. Its capital is also called Lang Son, which is a strategically important town at the border with China and is northeast of Hanoi connected by rail and road...
).
As well as referring to the system as a whole, the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) name is also applied to a specific branch within the system. This Pearl River is the widest distributary
Distributary
A distributary, or a distributary channel, is a stream that branches off and flows away from a main stream channel. They are a common feature of river deltas. The phenomenon is known as river bifurcation. The opposite of a distributary is a tributary...
within the delta, although considerably short. The waters that converge east of the Bei Jiang are first referred to as the Pearl River just north of Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
. The Pearl River is famed as the river that flows through Guangzhou. The Pearl River's estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
, Bocca Tigris
Bocca Tigris
The Bocca Tigris, Bogue, or Humen is a narrow strait in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, People's Republic of China, where the Pearl River discharges into the South China Sea. The strait is formed by the islands of Chuenpee and Anunghoy on the eastern side and Tycocktow on the western side...
, is regularly dredged so as to keep it open for ocean vessels. The mouth of the Pearl River forms a large bay in the southeast of the delta, the Zhujiang Kou. This bay separates Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
and Zhuhai
Zhuhai
Zhuhai is a prefecture-level city on the southern coast of Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai borders Jiangmen to the northwest, Zhongshan to the north, and Macau to the south. Zhuhai was one of the original Special Economic Zones...
from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
.
The Pearl River is named this because of all the pearl coloured shells that lie at the bottom of the river in the section that flows through the city of Guangzhou.
The Pearl River is thought to be one of the world's most polluted waterways.
A 500 kV
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
-power line, suspended from three of the tallest pylons in the world, the Pylons of Pearl River Crossing, crosses the river near its mouth.
Zhujiang Brewery, one of the three largest domestic breweries in China, is located on the Pearl River Delta within the city of Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
.
Settlements
- GuilinGuilinGuilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of far southern China, sitting on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city...
- DongguanDongguanDongguan is a prefecture-level city in central Guangdong province, People's Republic of China.An important industrial city located in the Pearl River Delta, Dongguan borders the provincial capital of Guangzhou to the north, Huizhou to the northeast, Shenzhen to the south, and the Pearl River to...
- FoshanFoshanFoshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. The prefectural area under the city's jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper ....
- GuangzhouGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
- Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
- JiangmenJiangmenJiangmen , is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong province in southern China with a population of about 4.48 million in 2010. The 3 urban districts are now part of Guangzhou - Shenzhen built up area.-Names:...
- KaipingKaipingKaiping : Hoi3 Pen6) or Hoi Ping is a county-level city in Guangdong Province, southern China. It has a population of 680,000 as of 2003 and an area of 1,659 km². The locals speak a variation of the Taishan dialect.-Administration:...
- MacauMacauMacau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
- ShenzhenShenzhenShenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
- WuzhouWuzhouWuzhou , historically known as Wuchow, is a prefecture-level city in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.-Geography and climate:Wuzhou is located in eastern Guangxi bordering Guangdong province. It is at the confluence of the Gui River and the Xun River where they form the Xi River; 85% of all...
- ZhaoqingZhaoqingZhaoqing is a prefecture-level city of Guangdong province in southern China.-Geography:Zhaoqing is located 110 km northwest of Guangzhou, in the west Pearl River Delta. It lies on the north shores of the Xijiang River, which is flows from west to east, and opposite of Gaoyao...
- ZhongshanZhongshanZhongshan , also spelled Chungshan and historically known as Xiangshan or Siangshan, is a prefecture-level city in the south of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province in southern China. Zhongshan, one of the few cities in China with an eponymous name, is named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen who was...
- ZhuhaiZhuhaiZhuhai is a prefecture-level city on the southern coast of Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai borders Jiangmen to the northwest, Zhongshan to the north, and Macau to the south. Zhuhai was one of the original Special Economic Zones...
Crossings
- Dongpute Bridge
- Guangzhou BridgeGuangzhou BridgeGuangzhou Bridge is a bridge crossing the Pearl River in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.-History:Completed in 1985, the bridge was the third to be built across the Pearl River in Guangzhou....
- Haixinggangte Bridge
- Haiyin BridgeHaiyin BridgeHaiyin Bridge is a bridge crossing the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China.The double tower single plane cable stayed bridge was completed in 1988 andconnects the Haizhu District with the Yuexiu District.-References:...
- Haizhu BridgeHaizhu BridgeHaizhu Bridge is an iron bridge across the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China.The bridge runs from Haizhu Square in the Yuexiu District, and south towards Jiangnan Avenue in the Haizhu District....
- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau BridgeHong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau BridgeThe in-construction Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is a series of bridges and tunnels that will connect the west side of Hong Kong to Macau and the Guangdong province city of Zhuhai, which are situated on the west side of the Pearl River Delta. The proposed link is expected to cost US$10.7 billion....
(planned) - Huanan BridgeHuanan BridgeHuanan Bridge is a bridge crossing the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China.The bridge holds the Huanan Expressway, which connects the Haizhu District and southern Panyu District with the Tianhe District. It also serves as an important connection between the grounds of the biannual Canton Fair in...
- Humen Pearl River BridgeHumen Pearl River BridgeThe Humen Pearl River Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Pearl River in Guangdong Province, southern China. It connects the Nansha District of Guangzhou to Humen Town of Dongguan...
- Hedong Bridge
- Huangpu BridgeHuangpu BridgeThe Huangpu Bridge is a suspension bridge in Guangzhou, Guangdong province in China. Bridge has also cable-stayed portition.Its total length is 7,016 meter and the main span is 1,108 metres. It was opened for traffic in December 2008.-External links:*...
- Jiangwan BridgeJiangwan BridgeJiangwan Bridge is a bridge crossing over the Pearl River in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.Guangzhou's Inner Ring Road runs across Jiangwan Bridge, connecting the Haizhu District with the Yuexiu District....
- Jiefang BridgeJiefang BridgeJiefang Bridge is a bridge in Guangzhou, China.Jiefang Bridge connects the Haizhu District with the Yuexiu District, and is one of nine bridges connecting Haizhu with downtown Guangzhou and the business districts....
- Luoxi Bridge
- Necklace Bridge
- Panyu Bridge
- Pazhou BridgePazhou BridgePazhou Bridge is a bridge in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The bridge connects Tianhe District across the Zhujiang River to the southern district of Huangpuchong in Guangzhou....
- Renmin BridgeRenmin BridgeRenmin Bridge is a bridge crossing the Pearl River in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.Renmin Bridge connects the Haizhu District with the Liwan District, and was the second highway bridge to be put into service in Guangzhou when it was completed in 1967...
- Shiziyang TunnelShiziyang TunnelThe Shiziyang Tunnel is a high-speed railway tunnel under the Pearl River estuary in China.-Route:The tunnel is part of a 140km high-speed line from Guangzhou to Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h - the fastest underwater tunnel in the world. as well as being...
- Xinguang Bridge
- Yajisha Bridge
- Zhujiang Bridge
Tributaries
- BeijiangBeijiang RiverBei River is the northern tributary of the Pearl River in southern China. The other two main tributaries of the Pearl River are the Xijiang River and the Dongjiang River....
(Bei) (北江) - DongjiangDongjiang RiverThe Dong River is the eastern tributary of the Pearl River in Guangdong province, southern China. The other two main tributaries of Pearl River are Xijiang River and Beijiang River....
(Dong) (东江) - Han (韩江)
- XijiangXijiang RiverThe Xi River is the western tributary of the Pearl River in China. It is formed by the confluence of the Gui and Xun Rivers in Wuzhou, Guangxi. It then flows east through Guangdong, and enters the Pearl River Delta just east of the Lingyang Gorge in Zhaoqing. The main branch of the Xi flows...
(Xi) (西江)- Yujiang (Yu) (鬱江)
- Xunjiang (Xun) (浔江）
- QiangjiangQianjiang RiverThe Qian River is a river of China. It join the Yu River at Guiping and flows into the South China Sea....
(Qiang) (黔江)- Rongjiang (Rong)（融江）
- HongshuiHongshui RiverThe Hongshui River is a major river in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China. It is one of the main rivers in the basin of the Xi River, which in its turn is one of the main tributaries of the Pearl River....
(Red River) (红水河）- BeipanBeipan RiverBeipan River is a river in the Guizhou province, China, and part of the great Pearl River basin.-Other names:The upper reaches in Yunnan and Guizhou were once known as the Zangke River.-Course:...
(北盘江) - Nanpan (南盘江)
- BaBa River (China)The Ba River is a river in Tibet and the largest tributary of the Nyang River. It is the source of the Dadie Waterfall.-External links:*...
(灞水 or 灞河)
- Ba
- Beipan
- Qiangjiang
- GuijiangGui RiverThe Gui River is a river in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, and a tributary of the Xi Jiang....
(Gui) (桂江)- LijiangLijiang RiverThe Li River or Lijiang River is a river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.-Background:The Li River originates in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County and flows in the general southern direction through Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle....
(Li) (漓江)
- Lijiang
See also
- List of rivers in China
- Geography of ChinaGeography of ChinaChina stretches some across the East Asian landmass bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam in a changing configuration of broad plains, expansive deserts, and lofty mountain ranges, including vast areas of inhospitable terrain...
- Ship lifts in China
- List of rivers of Hong Kong