River is a large natural flow of moving freshwater that travels across the land. Rivers begin in places such as mountains or lakes and flow toward larger bodies of water. They can be long and wide, carrying water over great distances. Rivers often have banks on each side and a channel where the water flows.

Rivers are found on every continent, including major rivers like the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. They exist as part of Earth’s water cycle over long periods. Rivers support plants, animals, and human settlements. Many communities are built near rivers for water and transport.