5 Rivers to See before You Die

Perhaps the rivers which are not to be missed in this lifetime are the ones which combine an impressive expanse of water with great scenery and some areas of cultural interest along the way.  Five which meet those criteria re listed below.

The Amazon

The river will last, but if you want to see the magnificent rain forest through which this might river flows, you had better go soon as already one tenth has been cut for pasture or to grow soybeans.  Every tree cut reduces the habitat of the richest array of biodiversity of any tropical rain forest. Still along the quieter tributaries one can see animals from cabybaras to caimans to capuchin monkeys.

The Nile

The Nile has two main claims to fame – its immense length, and the unique monuments along its lower reaches.  From the Aswan Dam, to Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak, past villages where life is lived as it has been for thousands of years, on to the Pyramids and Cairo where the river spreads into an enormous delta.

The Ganges

The sacred river of the Hindu, the Ganges rises in the western Himalayas, forms the border with Bangladesh and flows into the Bay of Bengal. 400 million people live in the Ganges basin and millions of themdepend on the river for all their daily needs.  This has made it one of the most polluted rivers in the world.  Nevertheless, it is a must see for the ancient cities along its banks including Benares, the oldest in India.

The Mississippi

This mighty river forms a physical and cultural divide down the United States from Minnesota to the Gulf. When one crosses the Mississippi coming from the east, one leaves the colonies and enters the frontier lands.  The river provides transport for people and goods, fertility in the flood plain and recreation in National Parks Service sites along its length.

The Rhine

Forested bluffs dotted with turreted castles and vineyards form the Rhine Gorge.  The river flows through the history of central Europe from Switzerland, through Germany and into the Netherlands, with a brief detour into France at Strasbourg. It is a delight to cruise or drive along the banks.