Delta

Delta is a geographical formation in the shape of Greek alphabet delta caused by distributaries of a main river at its confluence with another water body. Most deltas are formed near seas, while there are few examples of inland deltas with lakes and reservoirs. There are also instances of deltas getting lost in arid land.

Sunderban the largest tidal delta of the world is shared by India and Bangladesh. These distributaries originating from the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers spread over an approximate area of 10,000 square kilometers. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its mangrove forests and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. Sunderban delta to the north of Bay of Bengal in South-east Asia is pleasant between December and March and is accessible from Kolkata in India and Khulna from Bangladesh.

The Nile delta fans out like a palm leaf before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The adjacent areas of this delta are occupied by rice, cotton, and maize fields. Damietta, Port Said, and El Mansura are the main cities of this region. Niger River forms an inland delta with its distributary River Bani. This entire area of inland delta forms the floodplains of Mali where rice, and millets are grown. Sevare, Djenne, and Mopti are the main cities. Okavango Delta in Botswana is another amazing inland delta. Okavango River empties into the Kalahari Desert forming Okavango Swamp, world's largest inland delta spread over 15,000 square kilometers. With water all round the year, this delta thrives in the most exotic wildlife in Africa.

The enormous Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico through a coastal wetland area of 12,000 square kilometers. New Orleans and St. Bernard are important tourist destinations famous for their crabs, crayfish, and shrimps. The River Amazon has an inland delta in Marajo.