Euphrates River

Euphrates River, Western Asia's longest river, over 2,200 mi (3,540 km). It rises in northeastern Turkey, crosses that country, then flows southeastward over the Syrian plateau and through Iraq, where it flows together with the Tigris River to form the 120-mi (193-km) long Shatt al Arab, which empties into the head of the Persian Gulf. The Euphrates has had great historical significance above all for its lifegiving waters, which irrigated the crops supporting great civilizations in Mesopotamia from pre-Babylonian times. It is still an important source of irrigation for Iraq and Syria.

See also: Tigris River.