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Overview
The Ganges is India's most famous river. From its source high in the Himalaya Mountains to its main mouth in Bangladesh, it flows through one of the world's most crowded regions. To Hindus everywhere, the Ganges is a holy river, and it has been closely associated with India's long history. The river also helps support millions of people -- from farmers to fishermen to traders -- and many industries have grown up along its banks. The Ganges is home to an amazing variety of animals and plants, including the rare Ganges River dolphin and the Royal Bengal tiger. Today, it makes news with its dramatic floods and pollution problems.An overview of the Ganges River, one of the largest waterways in the world, valued not only for trade and irrigation, but for its religious importance to Hindus.
Editorials
Children's Literature
This installment from the "Great Rivers of the World" series offers an in-depth look at the Ganges river. An introduction provides basic facts about the river, its history with regards to India, and the problem with pollution. Chapter One, "The Course of the Ganges," explains how the river comes from a glacier high in the Himalayas and follows the course south to the delta at the Bay of Bengal. "The Ganges in History" explores the influences of Buddhism, Hinduism, early settlers, the Aryan kingdoms, Mauryans, Guptas, the Mogul Empire, and the British Empire. "Cities Along the Ganges" describes the location, population, culture, and industries of major cities along the river. "Farming, Trade, and Industry" explains the major industries of the area, as well as political and environmental problems affecting those industries. Other chapters describe the various plants and animals native to the Ganges region and the numerous environmental issues, in particular the pollution. "Bathing and Praying" explains the religious significance that the Ganges hold for Hindus. The final chapter discusses the future of the area. A glossary, timeline, and list of further sources complete this text. Both maps and numerous pictures of the land, animals, and people of the Ganges are provided. This eight-chapter book would be a good text for teaching environmental issues as well as the basic facts about the Ganges River. 2003, World Almanac Library,— Amie Rose Rotruck
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Six of the world's important rivers are discussed in these series entries. Each book begins with a large, clear map that shows the river's geographical and political context while the text discusses its dimensions, and the historical, economic, and environmental impact on its respective regions. The narratives are driven by the natural flow of the events and geography described and include a brief discussion of major cities along the river's course. Good-quality full-color photographs and reproductions, all adequately captioned, are found throughout. There are occasional lapses. Sensational facts are mentioned for no other discernible reason than to titillate readers. It hardly helps readers' understanding of The Nile to learn that in 1898 a fanatical Sudanese religious leader's warriors hacked a British army officer to death. Obviously written before the great flood of 1993, Morgan's text states that, ``Today, the risk of serious flooding on the Mississippi is not great.'' Still, for the most part, the titles are clear and conversational in tone and are free of cultural bias while conveying a good deal of useful information.-Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York CityBook Details
Published
May 1, 1993
Publisher
Austin, Tex. : Raintree Steck-Vaughn, c1994.
Pages
48
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780811431057