The Euphrates, the longest river of Southwest Asia
The Euphrates is the longest river of Southwest Asia and also one of the most important. In combination with the Tigris, both rivers define Mesopotamia. The river has its origin in the Taurus Mountains and flows through Turkey, Syria and Iraq to the Shatt al-Arab, which flows into the Persian Gulf.
Euphrat River ©Flickr Jayel Aheram
Modern names for the Euphrates may have been based on the Sumerian and Akkadian names. The name “Euphrates” came from Phrat, which can be translated as “fertilizing”. The length of the Euphrates is estimated at 2,289 kilometres. The river flows through the three countries Turkey, Syria and Iraq. The longest part of the river lies in Iraq with about 1,100 kilometres.