3.Rivers and Lakes

Thames River

There are many rivers and lakes in the United Kingdom，but they are not very large.The longest river is the Severn River which is only 355km long.It rises in northeast Wales and flows through central England to the Bristol Channel.It is famous for its periodic high bore（tidal wave）.

The second largest and most important river in Britain is the Thames River.It rises in southwest England and flows east for a distance of 338km to London and out into the North Sea.Its source area being aplace with an altitude of no more than 200 meters，the Thames flows very slowly，which is very favorable for water transportation.Ocean-going vessels can sail up it as far as London，and smaller craft can sail up it for a further 138km Oxford is also on the Thames.

Thames River

The Clyde River is the most important river in Scotland.It rises in Dumfries and enters the Firth of Clyde.It is famous for the industries that have developed on its banks and its estuary，especially where it flows through Glasgow.Its length is about 170km.

There are many lakes on the British Isles.The Lake District includes 15 lakes radiating like spokes of a wheel from a central hub.Although the lakes here are generally small，they form some of the loveliest landscapes in the country.The whole area was made a national park in 1951.The largest lake on the British Isles is the Laugh Neagh in Northern Ireland，which covers an area of 396km².It is popular with yachtsmen and walkers.Probably Britain’s best-known lake is Loch Ness in northern Scotland.It extends for 36km and in places is over 213meters in depth.Loch Ness became noted mainly because of the Loch Ness monster.It was said that a large prehistoric creature lives in the deep water of Loch Ness.In spite of various“sightings”，it is not scientifically proved to exist.