Question

Write a comparative note on the basins of Ganga and Amazon river. You may consider following points for the comparison.

1. Size of catchment area (consider the map)
2. Their relative location within respective countries.
3. Headwater regions of rivers.
4. Orientation of the rivers
5. Major tributaries and their orientation.
6. Any other point(s).

Some more information:

	Ganga River	Amazon River
Total catchment area (in sq.km)	10,16,124	70, 50, 000
Total length of river (in kms)	2,525	6,400
Water discharge (Cu.m. per sec)	16, 648	2,09,000

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Points	Basin of Ganga river	Basin of Amazon river
1.	Size of catchment area	The catchment area of Ganga in the northern and eastern region is around 10,16,124 sq. km. approx.	The catchment area in the northern Brazil is 70,50,000 sq. km approx.
2.	Their relative location within respective countries	The Ganga river basin is spread to the South of Hiinalayas and northern part of the Peninsular plateau region.	Amazon river basin is spread in the South of Guyana Highland and north of Brazilian Highland as well as in the north-west region of the basin.
3.	Headwater regions of river	Ganga River originates from Gangotri glacier (7010 m) which is in Uttarakhand.	Amazon Rivet originates from the eastern slope of Andes Mountain which is on the western part of Brazil in Peru.
4.	Orientation of the rivers	It flows towards east from the slopes of Himalayas. In West Bengal, its one branch meets Bay of Bengal while the other branch meets Bangladesh.	Flows from west to east and meets the northern Atlantic Ocean.
5.	Major tributaries and their orientation	Yamuna is the tributary of Ganga which originates in Himalayas. After flowing through the slopes of Himalayas, Yamuna flows towards east and meets Ganga in Allahabad on its right bank. River Son flows towards north and meets Ganga on its right bank. Besides these rivers, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi flows towards south and meets Ganga on its left bank.	Negro is a tributary of Amazon which flow towards east and meets on the left bank of the Amazon river. Apart from this, River Madeira, River Juruaka flows towards north and meets on the right bank of the river. Likewise Zingu river meets near the mouth of the river which flows from south to north.
6.	Water Discharge	In the Ganga River, the subtropical volume averages 16,648 Cu. m. per sec.	In the Amazon River, massive equatorial discharge averaging 2,09,000 Cu. m. per sec.