Yenisei
Fifth-longest river system, largest Arctic Ocean tributary.
The Yenisei (also Yenisey) is a major river system in Siberia, Russia, and the fifth-longest in the world. It is the largest river to drain into the Arctic Ocean, flowing north from Mongolia through the Krasnoyarsk Dam to the Yenisey Gulf in the Kara Sea. The river divides the Western Siberian Plain from the Central Siberian Plateau and drains a large part of central Siberia, with its basin including Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake.
- maximum depth
- 61 m
- average depth
- 14 m
- source
- Mungaragiyn-gol, Mongolia
- mouth
- Yenisey Gulf, Kara Sea
- countries
- Mongolia, Russia
Lore & Background
The Yenisei's first written mention appears as 'Kem' in 7th-century Tang dynasty Chinese records, linked to the Yenisei Kyrgyz. Chinese maps from the 18th century show names like 'Kem bira' and 'yeke Kem bira'. The etymology of 'Kem' is not of Turkic origin; a Samoyed derivation has been proposed but remains unclear. The word survives in Tuvan as 'xem' and Tofa as 'hem', both meaning 'river'.
Reader's Guide
The Yenisei is historically significant as a central Siberian river, one of three large rivers (with the Ob and Lena) flowing into the Arctic Ocean. The river's delta, between the Gyda and Taymyr Peninsulas, includes the Brekhovskie Islands, a wetland habitat for rare birds. The Taimyr reindeer herd, the world's largest, migrates along the Yenisei.
Did You Know?
- The Yenisei is the fifth-longest river system in the world and the largest to drain into the Arctic Ocean.
- Its basin includes Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake.
- The first written mention of the river, as 'Kem', dates to the 7th century in Tang dynasty China.
- The Taimyr herd of tundra reindeer, the largest reindeer herd in the world, migrates to winter ranges along the Yenisei.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Yenisei?
The Yenisei is a major river system in Siberia, Russia, ranking as the fifth-longest river on Earth. It flows northward from Mongolia through central Siberia and empties into the Kara Sea via the Yenisey Gulf.
Where does the Yenisei begin and end?
Its source is the Mungaragiyn-gol in Mongolia, and it terminates at the Yenisey Gulf in the Kara Sea. Along the way, it passes through the Krasnoyarsk Dam region in Russia.
Why is the Yenisei considered important?
It holds the distinction of being the largest river that drains into the Arctic Ocean. Its vast basin also encompasses Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, making it a critical part of central Siberia's hydrology.
What countries does the Yenisei flow through?
The river originates in Mongolia and then travels through Russia before reaching the Arctic. It effectively divides the Western Siberian Plain from the Central Siberian Plateau as it crosses the Russian landscape.
How deep is the Yenisei?
The river reaches a maximum depth of 61 meters, though its average depth sits around 14 meters. These figures make it one of the deeper major river systems in the world.
More in Rivers Of The World 1-20
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