The World’s Largest River Delta The Ganges Delta

Wind and water currents constantly change the shape of the land. When a river flows from the mountains to the sea, it carries sediment (silt) and deposits it at the coast. As the river meets the sea, it splits into many branches, forming a triangular piece of land called a Delta.

• The Largest Delta: The world’s largest delta is located in West Bengal. It is formed where two great rivers, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, meet the sea.

• Geography: This delta spans 105,000 square kilometers across India and Bangladesh.

• Fertility: The region is made of clay-like soil and is extremely fertile. It is the most densely populated delta in the world and is home to the famous Sundarbans.

• Process: As the Ganges, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers come from the Himalayas and approach the sea, their flow slows down, allowing the rich sediment to settle and create this highly productive land.