Yellow River

The Yellow River, the second largest river in China, originates with a collection of springs and lakes in the Kunlun Mountains, and then travels southeast, reaching a length of 3,395 miles. It gets its name from the yellow silt that colors the waters between Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces, a product of loamy soil deposits. Years of silt buildup in the Yellow River has led to devastating floods, which is the impetus for one of the river’s less desirable nicknames: China’s Sorrow. The environment contains diverse habitats. The deciduous forests are comprised of oaks, elms, and pistachios, with conifers and cypress growing in the higher regions. The wetlands serve as resting places for many migratory birds en route to their destinations. Today, overuse of the river has reduced its waters to near-crisis levels, but the Chinese government has taken steps to divert waters from other sources - including China’s largest river, the Yangtze - to replenish the shrinking supply.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.