Euphrates River

　　   The Euphrates River is the largest river in Southwest Asia and a well-known river in the Middle East, spanning about 2,800 kilometers in length. Along with the Tigris River to its east, it defines the region of Mesopotamia. It originates from the Inner Taurus Mountains of the Anatolian Plateau in eastern Turkey. In its upper reaches, it is called the Karasu River. Flowing westward, it merges with the Murat River north of Birecik and is then referred to as the Euphrates River.

　　   From there, it winds southward, entering Syrian territory south of Birecik, then turning southeast near Al-Musayyib. Along its course, it receives tributaries such as the Balikh and Khabur Rivers before entering Iraq. Near Hit, it flows into the plain, where no major perennial tributaries join afterward. Near Hindiyah, the river splits into two branches: the eastern branch is called the Shatt al-Hilla (or Hilla River), and the western branch is known as the Hindiyah Canal (or Hindiyah River). The Hindiyah Dam is constructed at the point where the two branches diverge, regulating their water flow and forming an important irrigated agricultural area in Iraq. The two branches reconverge near Samawah and continue flowing southeast, eventually meeting the Tigris River near Al-Qurnah. From this confluence, the combined waters are called the Shatt al-Arab, which then flows into the Persian Gulf near Al-Faw. From its source to Samawah, the river is 2,750 kilometers long, with a drainage basin of 673,000 square kilometers. Its water supply mainly comes from melting snow in high mountains and rainfall in mountainous areas, making it relatively abundant. However, due to evaporation, seepage, and extensive irrigation along its course, the water flow significantly decreases in the middle and lower reaches.