Euphrat

Euphrat is the German-language name for the Euphrates River, one of the two great rivers of Mesopotamia and a defining feature of Western Asia. In German and many other European sources it is commonly referred to as the Euphrat; in English it is the Euphrates.

Geography and course: The Euphrat rises in eastern Turkey from the confluence of the Karasu and Murat rivers near Keban. It runs generally southwest for about 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles), passing through eastern Turkey and northern Syria before entering southern Iraq. In Iraq it joins the Tigris to form the Shatt al-Arab, which flows into the Persian Gulf. The river basin encompasses parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and has long been used for irrigation, transportation, and hydroelectric power.

Major infrastructure and water management: The river supports several large dams, including Turkey’s Keban and Atatürk Dams, Syria’s Tabqa Dam, and Iraq’s Haditha Dam. These projects are part of broader irrigation and energy programs, notably Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). Downstream flow is affected by upstream water use, damming, and climate variability, leading to cooperative arrangements and occasional tensions among Turkey, Syria, and Iraq over water sharing and security of supply.

Historical and contemporary significance: The Euphrat/Euphrates Basin was the cradle of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, giving rise to cities such as Ur, Uruk, and Babylon and supporting sophisticated irrigation networks. In modern times, the river remains vital for agriculture, industry, and daily life, while environmental pressures, pollution, and political conflict pose ongoing challenges to its ecosystems and to water security in the region.