| When Rivers Run Into the Ocean
Where rivers meet the ocean is called the mouth of the river. Soil and dirt carried by these rivers is deposited at the mouth, and new land is formed. The new, soil-rich land is known as a delta. |
 The
Amazon
River is the second longest river in the world. Like all large rivers,
the Amazon deposits a lot of soil and sediment, forming a delta, as it
enters the ocean. Its delta is located in Brazil.
As rivers prepare to enter the ocean, they tend to get off course and branch into many directions, creating many small islands in the delta region. This is particularly true with the Amazon River, as you can see. |
 Scattered
across the delta at the end of the Mississippi River
is the city of New Orleans. By the time the mighty Mississippi winds its
way south through America's center it becomes a force well over a mile
wide. It's a very dramatic sight to watch as this mammouth river spills
into the ocean.
Because the Mississippi watershed drains much agricultural land, it has high sediment content. The mud spilling from the river into the Gulf of Mexico is clearly visible in this picture. |
 The
Nile
River is the longest and probably the most famous river in the world.
As it flows toward the Mediterranean Sea from the mountains of central
Africa, it grows in size. The Nile Delta is a very large and impressive
sight. It is home to some of the most productive agricultural land in the
Middle East.
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