Amur River is the longest river of the Russian Far East. Its headwaters rise in Russia (Siberia), Mongolia, and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China in the mountains northwest and southeast of the point where their borders meet. The main river flows generally east and southeast, forming much of the border between China’s Heilongjiang province and southeastern Siberia. The Amur’s Chinese name, Heilong Jiang, means “Black Dragon River,” and its Mongol name, Kharamuren, means “Black River.”

The river is fed principally by the monsoon rains that fall in summer and autumn. The rainwater finds its way quickly into the river, resulting in a period of flooding that extends from May to October. During that period there typically are several periods of high water when the upper Amur is from 16 to 26 feet (5 to 8 metres) above its usual level. Ice forms in the Amur in the second half of October.

Much of the Amur basin lies in the taiga vegetation zone. Larch is the predominant species, particularly in boggy areas, with some pine, spruce, and fir on drier land.

Fishing remains the chief economic activity on the Amur. The river and its large tributaries are navigable throughout their course when they are ice-free.

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