Huge masses of ice slowly slide down from the tops of the mountains. These ice rivers are called glaciers.

Rivers begin with small streams. The beginning of the river is called its source.

1. Rainwater soaking into the ground forms groundwater
2. A spring breaks out from under the ground and gives rise to a stream
3. Connecting, streams turn into a fast mountain river
4. The river flows into the plain. It becomes wider and flows slower
5. Sometimes one of the bends "separates" from the river, and a crescent-shaped lake is formed - the old man

What are bends?

In the mountains, where the river flows downhill, as if moving down a hill, its flow is fast, and on the plains where there is no slope, it slows down. On the plain of the river begin to "loop". The bends of the river are called bends, or meanders.

Where do the rivers end?

Most rivers flow into the sea. The section of the river where fresh river water mixes with saltwater is called its mouth. Not all rivers end at sea. Some of them flow into the lakes, while others simply go underground.

Interesting facts about rivers:

• The Nile in Egypt - the longest river in the world - 6,670 kilometers
• The shortest river on Earth is the Dee in the USA. Its length is only 37 meters - about ten kayaks placed in a row one after another.