Shatt al Arab. The Shatt al Arab is formed by the merger of the two great rivers, namely the TIGRIS and the EUPHRATES, in south eastern IRAQ. Flowing southeastwards for about 120 miles through a region of marshland and lakes ,it forms a portion of the border between IRAN and IRAQ, and ultimately flows into the PERSIAN gulf.. The waterways of Shatt al Arab is famous in the earliest recorded history. The eastern portion of land which stretched from the PERSIAN gulf to the NILE delta, the waters of TIGRIS and Euphrates gave birth to the first civilization of ancient MESOPOTAMIA. (In GREEK the meaning of MESOPOTAMIA IS “A LAND BETWEEN TWO RIVERS. ) The city of BABYLON was on the bank of EUPHRATES. Some biblical scholars claim that the area where the two rivers converge, was the site of the GARDEN OF EDEN. Today, the flow of both the TIGRIS and the EUPHRATES have come down due to diversion of water for irrigation and losses due to evaporations . However, -down stream From their merger at AL QURNA , IRAQ, the flow of Shatt al Arab is increased by the KARUN, a long river coming from the mountain in IRAN.. The Shatt al Arab is also influenced by the tides of the PERSIAN gulf . For this, its water remains deep to make the port of BASRA, which is abou t 60 miles inland from the coast-easily accessible to sea going vessels. The lower course of the Shatt al Arab which is the principal channel is extending towards the sea at a rate of 2 miles per century. Some channels are damned now to regulate the flow of the river; Vast marshlands and a very large numbers of lakes remain all along the lower course ,till now. Still today, the large numbers of lakes and marshes provide a refuge for a way of life dating back to ancient time. The local inhabitants -which is a mixture of different cultures, live on date palms and other crop. They all depend on the giant reeds that are available in plenty in the marsh lands. The reeds which grow up to 20 feet in provide food for the people and their livestock These reeds also provide them fuel and materials for woven goods. The reeds are also used for construction of houses and the most needed boats. The boats are made in the same way that have been for countless generations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ( with the help of NATURAL WONDERS of the WORLD. )
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:07:16 +0000
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