Central Asia

The Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Syr Darya, Amu Darya, and rivers feeding the Aral Sea form major river basins in Central and South Asia, each with distinct features. The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra originate mainly from the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. The Yangtze, Asia’s longest river, flows also from the Tibetan Plateau across China, featuring dramatic gorges, vast floodplains, and a huge basin supporting over 400 million people with rich biodiversity and intense economic activity. The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers drain Central Asia’s arid interior, historically feeding the Aral Sea. Together, these rivers are vital for agriculture, ecological diversity, and livelihoods across multiple countries, while also facing stresses from climate change, overuse, and geopolitical complexities.