Bangladesh is a nation closely linked with its river system and its geography & culture is influenced by the riverine delta system. Bangladesh lies in the Biggest river delta in the world – The Ganges Delta system. This is the valley stretching from the Himalayas to the sea the only region in the entire world. After flowing from its Himalayan source waters and through Bhutan, China, and India, the mighty Brahmaputra, Ganges and all her sisters empty into the Bay of Bengal.
The international number of rivers can be 58 as the Brahmaputra is called “Nod” while the general term for the river is “Nodi”. The gender division of rivers is interesting from history and mainly depends on the source of the river but not the size or flow briskness. Sangu and Halda are the only two internal rivers on the Bangladesh river map that originated and finished within Bangladesh.
River Map of Bangladesh
Major Rivers of Bangladesh
1. Padma (Ganges):
- Length: 356 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: India
- Major tributaries: Mahananda, Atrai, Jamuna
- Significance: Forms the largest delta in the world with the Meghna River
2. Meghna:
- Length: 130 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: Confluence of the Padma and Surma Rivers
- Major tributaries: Kushiyara, Buriganga, Dhaleshwari
- Significance: Navigable river and vital for transportation and trade
3. Jamuna:
- Length: 205 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: Branch of the Brahmaputra River
- Major tributaries: Old Brahmaputra, Teesta, Karatoya
- Significance: Riverine island formation and fertile agricultural land
4. Surma:
- Length: 900 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: India
- Major tributaries: Kushiyara, Barak
- Significance: Longest river in Bangladesh and vital for irrigation and fisheries
5. Teesta:
- Length: 414 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: India
- Major tributaries: Torsa, Jaldhaka
- Significance: Source of hydro power and irrigation
6. Karnaphuli:
- Length: 270 km within Bangladesh
- Origin: Chittagong Hill Tracts
- Major tributaries: Halda, Feni
- Significance: Port city of Chittagong and industrial development
The pride of Bangladesh is its rivers with one of the largest networks in the world with a total number of about 700 rivers including tributaries, which have a total length of about 24,140 km. They consist of tiny hilly streams, winding seasonal creeks, muddy canals (khals), some truly magnificent rivers, and their tributaries and distributaries.
There are four major river systems on the Bangladesh river map- (1) the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, (2) the Ganges-Padma, (3) the Surma-Meghna, and (4) the Chittagong Region river system. However, the Brahmaputra is the 22nd longest (2,850 km) and the Ganges is the 30th longest (2,510 km) river in the world.
The Brahmaputra River is one of the greatest in Asia and the longest to pass through Bangladesh, covering a length of 1,802 miles, and also cutting across India, Bhutan, and China. The River Meghna hails from the convergence of the Surma and Kushiyara Rivers. Considered one of the most important rivers in Bangladesh, it measures 164 miles and fans out of the Bay of Bengal.
✅Bangladesh Nodi Map
Bangladesh has 700 rivers integral to the country’s culture, but many of them are dying.
✅What is the National River of Bangladesh?
The Ganges in Bangladesh is known as the Padma, and it is divided into two segments, the upper Padma and the lower Padma.