Mekong River~

Reflection

2008-06-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

For this project, I have used 'Applying past knowledge to new situation'. Previously, I had been taught how to research to get the correct information. While researching for this project, I have used the skills taught to me such as putting adding plus sign (+) in between the words. Another Habits of Mind that I have used is per sistence. When I were researching about the physical features of the Mekong River, I found it hard to get what i want. However, I still continue to jump from different search engines to find the information needed. I felt that persistence is very important for one to have while researching as it is not often that you will get what you want straight away. If I do not persist and continue to research, I will ended up doing last minute work. Overall, from this project, I learn more about the Mekong River .

Physical Features along the Mekong River

2008-06-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Physical Features along the Mekong River

The region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries is called the Mekong Delta.This region encompasses a large portion of southeastern Vietnam.

Mekong Delta

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mekong_delta.jpg

The Khone Falls is a waterfall on the Mekong River in Laos in the Champasak Province near its border with Cambodia. They are the main reason that the Mekong is not navigable into China.

Khone Falls rapids

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Somphamit.jpg

When the broad slow-flowing river reached the town of Kratie, as just to the north, the village of Kompi marks the start of the Sambor rapids which is another physical features along the river.

Another physical feature along the Mekong River:

The Dragon's Teeth Rapids

Source:http://www.shangri-la-river-expeditions.com/journals/mekong1997/gentryhettig.html

Uses of the Mekong River

2008-06-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Uses of the Mekong River

Animals' Habitats

The Mekong River is home to many animals. The fish in the fast-flowing upper reaches are occupied by different loaches, sucker catfish, hillstream loach and carp. The slower middle and lower parts of the river are occupied by species of carp, catfish and murrels.One species of freshwater dolphins, the Irrawaddy dolphin was once common in the whole of the Lower Mekong River but is very rare currently.

An Irrawaddy dolphin performs with two pink dolphins

Source: http://www.mongabay.com/external/irrawaddydolphin.htm

Among other wetland mammals that have been living in and around the river are the Smooth-coated otter and fishing cat. The rare endangered Siamese Crocodile is reported to be seen along the Mekong River.

Smooth-coated otter

Source:http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_wao/wao_asia.asp

A fishing cat

Source:http://www.nitewindes.com/ALCinfo.html

A Siamese Crocodile

Source: http://www.herpfanatic.com/Crocodilian%20Species%20Photos.htm

Source of hydro-electricity

Dams such as the Xiaowan Dam has been built across the Mekong River to generate hydro-electric power.There are 8 dams built across parts of Mekong river currently.

Manwan Dam: One of the dams built across the Mekong River.

Source:http://www.internationalrivers.org/en/node/1775

Supply of fertile soil

The deltas of the Mekong River have fertile soil that are suitable for agriculture. Hence, they are

used extensively for rice cultivation.

Waterwheel for wet rice cultivation

Source:http://www.footprintsvietnam.com/gallery/hagiang/hagiang8.htm

Means of transport

The Mekong River are important waterways for transporting people and goods. There are 4 bridges built across the river. Two of them are called the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects Nong Khai city with Vientiane in Laos.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

Source:www.thailandguidebook.com/thailao_bridge.htm

The third birdge is called Pakxe Bridge.It is not border-crossing and located in Champasak province, in Laos.

Pakxe Bridge

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PakseBridge.jpg

Source of water and food

The Mekong provide water for not only domestic purposes like washing but also for industrial and agricultural purposes.It is also a source of food and prawn.

Social and political background of the River

2008-06-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

Social and political background of the River

History of the Mekong River

The people who live near the Mekong River had divided it, made it difficult to navigate. In Mekong Delta, the earliest recorded civilisation was the 1st century Indianised-Khmer culture of Funan. By around the 5th century, This was succeeded by the Khmer culture Chemla state.When the Khmer empire fell, the river was the frontline of the state of Siam and north Vietnam, with Laos and Cambodia, located on the coast. In 1540, Portuguese Antonio de Faria was the first European who encountered the Mekong River.

In 1861, the French captured Saigon from the Vietnamese invaders. Two years later, they established a protectorate over Cambodia. From 1866 to 1868, Ernest Doudard de Lagree and Francis Granier led the first exploration of the Mekong River- French Mekong Expedition. Their chief found out that the Mekong River had too many falls and rapids to ever be useful for navigation.

The French Mekong Expedition Team
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mekongmembersangkor.jpg

From 1893, the French extended their control of the river into Laos. This lasted until the First and Second Indochina wars ended French.

Myths and Legends

#1There is a Cambodia story of a fair maiden who cast herself into the swirling Mekong River to escape an arranged marriage to a giant magical python. She was swallowed by the river, but soon returned as the giant mermaid-like dolphin with human-size eyes, wide smile and enchanting sounds.

#2Balls of light are seen from time to time rising from the water's surface in the stretch of the river near Vientaine or Nong Khai. These are sometimes referred as Naga fireballs.The locals think that Phaya Naga (Mekong Dragons) have caused this to happen.

Naga Fireballs
Source:http://thailand.pantawee.com/pajanaga.php

Introduction of the River

2008-06-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

Location of the river

The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world and 7th longest river in Asia. It is about 4800km long. The name 'Mekong' originate in Thai language , Mae Nam Khong. It runs from the Tibetan Plateau, through China's Yunnan, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Mekong River, eastern Tibet

Source: http://feiyu.tibetcul.com/40629.html

The Mekong River, Laos
Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1506086.stm

Here's a map of the Mekong River:

Source:http://cantho.cool.ne.jp/mekong/outline/mekong_river_e.html

1. the east edge of Tibet which belongs to Yunnan

2. the border of Laos and Myanmar

3. the border of Laos and Thailand

4. some right tributaries from Thailand and then run into Cambodia

5. some right tributaries including Tonlesap River from Great Lake

6. the South-China Sea.

Description of the river

Source of the river

According to China Science Exploration Association survey, the source of the Mekong river is Lasagongma spring, located at Mount Guozongmucha, within northwestern China's Qinghai province.

Dza Chu which is about half of the Mekong River is located in China, known as Lancang in Chinese (澜沧江). This stretch mostly consists of deep gorges. The entire river is called Meigong in Chinese (湄公河).

The Meigong river

Source:http://www.wwfchina.org/newsimage/2007/03201.jpg

The part of the river next forms the border between Myanmar and Laos which marks the division between the Upper and Lower Mekong.

the Luang Say on the Mekong river in the Golden Triangle

Source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tahitipix/209648791/

Tributaries

Here are some of the examples of the tributaries that flow into the Mekong River:

Ruak River (Thailand)

Source:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Golden_Triangel_at_Amphoe_Chiang_Saen.jpg

Kok River (Thailand)

Source:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Kok_River_in_Amphoe_Mae_Ai.jpg

Nam Ou (Laos)

Source:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Nam_ou_1.jpg

Srepok River (Cambodia-Vietnam)

Source:http://www.andybrouwer.co.uk/blog/2008_03_01_archive.html

Distributaries

Mekong have five main distributaries. They are Bassac River, My Tho River, Ham Luong River, Co Chien River and Ba Lai River.

Bassac River

Source:http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/facultypages/EdMoise/jesterDelta.html