The Mekong is one of the world’s major rivers. It is the world’s 12thlongest river and the 7thlongest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km, and it drains an area of 795,000 km2, discharging 475 cubic meters of water annually. More than 80 million people of over 100 ethnic groups live along the river, making the Mekong basin into the world’s most culturally diverse. The Mekong basin annually produces rice that can feed 300 million people. The Mekong basin is also one of the richest areas in terms of biodiversity in the world. Only the Amazon boasts a higher level of biodiversity. Although the Amazon has higher biodiversity, the Mekong river has a higher biodiversity per unit area. Read More
