The Murray River, together with its largest tributary (the Darling), forms Australia's largest river system. Its basin is 1 million square kilometers. This is 12% of the territory of the state. The river has for the most part formed the borders between two states: New South Wales and Victoria. The Murray originates in the Australian Alps, flows northwest and empties into the Indian Ocean at Lake Alexandrina. The river is rather shallow, especially at present. Some of its tributaries dry up completely, since the water is unlimitedly taken for irrigation. The annual runoff is 14 km3, of which 11 is used for agricultural purposes. Surrounding territories are irrigated, which give up to 40% of the vegetation of the entire state. The length of the Murray River is 2995 kilometers.
Murray River Complex
The vast majority of Australia's rivers flow along the coasts. The Murray River on the map is located in the east of the mainland, runs somewhat deeper and goes into the ocean. It passes through many different natural complexes: mountains, forests, mountain forests, reservoirs and swamps. Murray passes through several lakes (Alexandrina, Kurong and others),salinity is quite different. In terms of full flow and length, the river is the Australian analogue of the American Mississippi. In summer, the river becomes full-flowing, in winter it becomes shallow. In addition to the Darling, it has many fairly large tributaries: Goulburn, Mitta-Mitta, Murrumbidgee, Loddon, Owens and Compasse.
History of the river
The original name of the Murray River was Yuma. It was discovered in the first quarter of the 19th century by an expedition of colonists Howell and Hume. It was named after the latter. A few years later, another expedition explored the river in detail. It was then that she got her current name. The leader of the expedition, Sturt, decided to leave the name of the Minister of the Australian Colonies, George Murray, for centuries. The river was immediately exploited as a waterway for the transport of goods. Mostly it was wool, which was taken to the southern coast of Australia, from where it was exported to the UK. The Murray River entered the irrigation system in 1887 with the light hand of William Chaffee. Dams and locks were erected along the banks, which began to feed orchards, vineyards and cotton fields. This continues to this day.
Legend of the river
Legends are peculiar to each locality, and the territory where the Murray River is located is not alien to them. Once a former convict, Hopwood decided to found a city on the Australian waterway near Melbourne. Along the banks he built several taverns, and on the river - a ferry. The ship's schedule was carefully thought out and provided for a longexpectation. Of course, the passengers spent their time in entertainment establishments where a lot of money was spent. They were enough to build the city of Ichuchka. And when Australia was engulfed by the “gold rush” during the times of intensive wheat trade, the settlement grew so much that to this day the length of its embankment is more than 800 meters. And it was built from an array of eucalyptus.
Tourism
The Murray River attracts fishermen from all over the world for its fishing. There are many types of fish that are good prey: cod, silver and golden perch, Australian smelt, river trout, freshwater shrimp, eel and catfish. Boat starting bases settled along the entire length of the river. Boats and boats are used for skiing on the water. River cruises are popular. Here you can rent a ferry, a floating house or a barge. They are comfortable to relax and watch the beauties along the banks of the Murray. These are eucalyptus forests, rainbow lorikeets. The unique flora of Australia cannot leave any tourist indifferent.
