Euphrates River

Euphrates River

The Euphrates River is the largest river in Southwest Asia and a renowned waterway in the Middle East, stretching approximately 2,800 kilometers in length. Together with the Tigris River to its east, it defines the region of Mesopotamia. It originates from the Anti-Taurus Mountains in the Eastern Anatolian Plateau of eastern Turkey. Its source is called the Karasu River. Flowing westward, it merges with the Murat River north of Birecik, after which it is called the Euphrates River.

From there, it meanders southward, entering Syrian territory south of Birecik. Near Al-Musayyib, it turns southeast, receiving tributaries such as the Balikh and Khabur rivers along the way before entering Iraq. Near Hit, it flows into the plain, where it no longer receives perennial tributaries. Around Al-Hindiyah, it splits into two branches: the eastern branch is called the Shatt al-Hilla (or Hindiyah River), and the western branch is called the Hindiyah Canal. The Hindiyah Dam is built at the fork to regulate the flow of both branches, forming an important irrigated agricultural area in Iraq. The two branches rejoin near Samawah and continue flowing southeast, meeting the Tigris River near Al-Qurnah, where they are collectively referred to as the Shatt al-Arab. The combined river then flows into the Persian Gulf near Al-Faw. From its source to Samawah, the Euphrates is 2,750 kilometers long, with a drainage basin of 673,000 square kilometers. It is primarily fed by snowmelt from high mountains and rainfall in mountainous areas, resulting in relatively abundant water volume. However, due to evaporation, seepage, and extensive irrigation along its course, the water flow significantly decreases in the middle and lower reaches.