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Irrawaddy River Facts & Worksheets

Officially known as Ayeyarwady River, the Irrawaddy bisects Myanmar from north to south. It is the largest river and the most vital waterway in the country, since most economic and agricultural activities take place there.

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Officially known as Ayeyarwady River, the Irrawaddy bisects Myanmar from north to south. It is the largest river and the most vital waterway in the country, since most economic and agricultural activities take place there. The source of the river comes from the confluence of the N’mai and Mali Rivers, and it flows towards the Andaman Sea. The river has been used for transport and trading since the sixth century.

See the fact file below for more information on the Irrawaddy River or alternatively, you can download our 17-page Irrawaddy River worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE RIVER

  • The river’s Burmese name (Ayeyarwady) came from the Pali name of India’s Ravi river, Iravati.
  • Irrawaddy River sources – the N’mai and Mali Rivers in Kanchin – came from the Himalayan glaciers from the north of Burma.
  • The drainage basin of Irrawaddy measures about 404,200 sq. km., covering much of Myanmar.
  • Irrawaddy River flows through the Irrawaddy Delta before it goes to the Andaman Sea. The delta’s surface extends to the sea at a rate of 50 meters during monsoon season, which usually carries about 2,000 to 3,000 millimeters of rainfall per year.
  • Myanmar usually experiences wet or monsoon season from May until October every year. In the duration of this period, high levels of rainfall help increase the river’s volume, as well as its tributaries. The melting of glaciers from the Himalayas also contributes to the volume of water. There are areas along the river that have high and low-levels of water.
  • Based on the data from the Water Resources eAtlas in 2009, the average population density along Irrawaddy River is 79 people per sq. km. The river supplies an average of 18,614 cu. m. of water for each person in a year.

ECOLOGICAL MAKE-UP AND TRIBUTARIES

  • The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Myanmar stated that the Irrawaddy River is home to diverse species. In the upper portion of the river, 126 bird species are present. The river serves as the habitat of about 60-70 Irrawaddy dolphins. They, along with other fish species are under threat due to the use of electric fishing.
  • Other causes of habitat displacement or death of fish along the river include entanglement in gillnets, gold mining, and dredging operations, as well as pressure brought about by the increasing number of tourists in the area, according to WCS Myanmar.
  • The Irrawaddy River runs from the state of Kachin. It has five (5) major tributaries. These are:
    • Taping River
    • Shweli River
    • Myitnge River
    • Mu River
    • Chindwin River

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE RIVER

  • During the sixth century, the river was utilized for transport and trade. In fact, this is a way for the Bamars (Sino-Tibetan ethnic group who lived along the Irrawaddy River) to consolidate power in the region.
  • Canal networks were developed to be used as water irrigation for agricultural lands located along the river. Rice cultivation activities took place during the 12th century.
  • With these economic functions of the Irrawaddy River, the British Empire established trading ports along the river shores.
  • Many have considered the Irrawaddy River as a vital waterway in Myanmar. In fact, despite Mandalay’s (the second largest city of the country) heavy investment on railways and highways, many passengers and goods are transported along the river. The Chindwin valley people also rely much on the river.
  • Myanmar is the world’s top exporter of teak logs, which are floated on the river. Teak trees are mostly present in Southeast Asian countries, and these are used for the making of furniture and ship building because of its high water resistance.
  • Petroleum, cotton, and other local products are also transported along the river to the Yangon.

Irrawaddy River Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Irrawaddy River across 17 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Irrawaddy River worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Irrawaddy River which bisects Myanmar from north to south. It is the largest river and the most vital waterway in the country, since most economic and agricultural activities take place there. The source of the river comes from the confluence of the N’mai and Mali Rivers, and it flows towards the Andaman Sea. The river has been used for transport and trading since the sixth century.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Irrawaddy River Facts
  • Rudyard Kipling and Burma
  • Kipling’s “Mandalay”
  • Tracing Irrawaddy River’s Path
  • British Invasion of Burma
  • Analyzing the Colonization Period
  • River Art
  • The Irrawaddy River Dolphins
  • River Tributaries
  • Flash Report
  • Pledge of Commitment

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Link will appear as Irrawaddy River Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 5, 2019

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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