Tigris - Euphrates Basin

“The Tigris–Euphrates river system is a large river system in Western Asia that flows into the Persian Gulf. Its primary rivers are the Tigris and Euphrates, along with smaller tributaries…..the two rivers descend through valleys and gorges to the uplands of Syria and northern Iraq and then to the alluvial plain of central Iraq. Other tributaries join the Tigris from sources in the Zagros Mountains to the east. The rivers flow in a south-easterly direction through the central plain and combine at Al-Qurnah to form the Shatt al-Arab and discharge into the Persian Gulf. The rivers and their tributaries drain an area of 879,790 square kilometres (339,690 sq mi) including almost the entire area of Iraq as well as portions of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Kuwait” (Wiki) Nb. The Karun River, the largest river by discharge in Iran, flows from the Zagros Mountains and joins the Shatt al-Arab separately, downstream of the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates and is therefore NOT regarded as part of the combined basin. It has been given its own Basin” connection. see map

Geography

Connected Sites

Site Rationale Link
Ahwar of Southern Iraq are situated at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates
Arslantepe Mound “The archaeological site of Arslantepe is situated in the Malatya Plain of eastern Turkey, approximately 12 kilometers from the right bank of the Euphrates River”
Ashur West bank of the Tigris River
Babylon Euphrates
Divrigi “The town of Divrigi lies on the south bank of the Çaltısuyu River, which is a tributary of the Karasu River. The Karasu River is one of the two main headwaters that join to form the Euphrates River.”
Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens situated on the banks of the Tigris
Erbil Citadel “Situated on the Greater Zab River - a significant tributary of the Tigris”
Göbekli Tepe Euphrates
Hatra – situated beween the Tigris and the Euphrates on the course of the intermittently flowing Wadi al-Tharthar which originates in the Sinjar mountains. Some sources state that since this river disappears into an internal drainage basin with its water accumulating in the Tharthar Lake (or Depression) it is not strictly a part of the wider Tigris-Euphrates basin
Hawraman/Uramanat “is primarily located within the Sirwan River Basin. The Sirwan River is a significant river that flows through the heart of the Hawraman/Uramanat region, creating a vital ecosystem in its valleys. Most of the springs and rivers in the Hawraman area ultimately contribute their water to the Sirwan River. The Sirwan River is a major tributary of the Diyala River, which eventually flows into the Tigris River”
Nemrut Dag Euphrates
Palmyra “the region of Palmyra is considered to be within the broader Euphrates River Basin. The ancient city relied on underground water resources and the flow from local wadis (seasonal streams) that would eventually drain towards the Euphrates system”
Samarra east bank of the Tigris River

Suggestions?

Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Tigris - Euphrates Basin?

Send it to me!

A connection should:

  1. Not be "self evident"
  2. Link at least 3 different sites
  3. Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
  4. Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
  5. Be explained, with reference to a source