15 Must-See Rivers in the World

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

Water is the most fundamental element in the world, without it life would have neither been created, nor would it be sustained. It comes from the rain, and travels all the way to the ocean thanks to the natural, most phenomenal vessels our planet has to offer - rivers. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, but to me, they attract life, as well as a lot of tourists, because of their timeless beauty. Here are 15 rivers that are most worthy of a visit. Click on the photos below to view an enlarged version.

1. The Odeleite - Portugal

This river, which is also called "The Blue Dragon River", is found in Portugal and originates from the mountains of Serra de Caldeirão. Its second name was given due to its peculiar shape and color, which many people have compared to a blue dragon.

2. Li - Guangxi Province, China

You can see this river flowing through the spectacular scenery in Guangxi Province in China. Not only is this river popular with tourists, but also with fishermen, who come here to fish with the cormorants (seabirds that are often involved in fishing techniques).

3. The River of Five Colors or Caño Cristales - La Macarena, Colombia

This river is defined by the numerous colorful algae and mosses that grow here, beautifying the whole scene for anyone lucky enough to visit. For the best views, visit Caño Cristales between June and November.

4. The Alatna - USA

One of the most astounding rivers in the United States starts from the central Brooks Range in Alaska and flows through the Endicott Mountains and the Helpmejack Hills, at which point it becomes meandered.

5. The Soca - Slovenia, Italy

The Soca River is also called The Emerald Beauty since it is well-known for its distinguishable color. Apart from being famous for this, it is also popular with kayakers, a fun activity one can dare try if visiting. 6. The Zambezi - Africa A definite must-see for those visiting Africa - particularly Zimbabwe, since the Victoria Falls can be found here as part of the river. This river attracts about 2 million people each year.   7. The Yangtze River - China The longest river in Asia can be found flowing through China. The Yangtze River is also the third-longest river in the world, making it worth some admiration, especially since it is endowed with some magical natural surroundings.    8. The Heart River - North Dakota,USA The Heart River is a unique sight seen in nature, for its obvious striking heart-like shape that gives it its name. This amazing river connects the largest river in the state of North Dakota Missouri.   9. The Horseshoe - Colorado, USA The striking natural bend, which forms part of the Colorado River in Arizona, is a world famous natural attraction whose shape lends it its unusual name. The famous bend is found just 5 miles downstream from the mesmerizing Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell.   10. The Amazon - South America The Amazon is home to a wealth of natural wonders, one of which is the fascinating Amazon River. Not only is this river one of the most water-bearing rivers, it also contains one of the most magnificent river basins on Earth.    11. The Lena - Russia The largest river found in North-Eastern Siberia is the beautiful Lena River. What's special about this river is that its pillars are still completely natural, so with its attractive geological formations at its shores, it's absolutely a sight to behold. 12. The Futaleufu - Argentina, Chile For some breathtaking views, as well as a golden opportunity for rafting and canoeing, head down to the Futaleufu River, which flows through Argentina and Chile. With its turquoise waters and incredible surroundings, it's hard not to fall in love with this place.   13. The Hudson - US This river lends its name from the person who discovered it way back in 1609 - Henry Hudson. Today, apart from being an inspiring attraction, the river also serves to separate New York from New Jersey.   14. The Danube - Europe The Danube River flows through 10 European countries in total, serving as an important water source to most of the continent. It originates from Germany, passes through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine and ends in the Black Sea.   15. The Mississippi, US Another major water source found in the US. The remarkable Mississippi River, also called the North American toiler, borders or passes a total of 10 states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.