What is the low area drained by rivers called?

• A. Basin
• B. Delta
• C. Estuary
• D. Gorge

Answer: (A)

The term "Basin" refers to a low area of land that is drained by a river and its tributaries. This geographical feature is crucial for understanding hydrology and geography because it encompasses not just the river itself but also the surrounding landscape that contributes runoff into the river system.

When rain falls or snow melts in the basin, the water flows towards the river, making basins vital in the collection and management of water resources. They often have significant ecological and agricultural importance, providing fertile areas for farming due to the sediment deposited by the rivers.

In contrast, a delta refers specifically to the landform created at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water, such as an ocean or a lake, formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the river. An estuary is the part of the river where freshwater meets saltwater, typically seen in areas where rivers flow into seas or oceans. A gorge is a deep, narrow valley, often with steep rocky walls, created by the erosion of a river cutting through the rock, and does not refer to a drainage area for rivers in the same sense as a basin does.