Question

Which of the following rivers have a birds foot delta?
(A) The Amazon
(B) The Brahmaputra
(C) The Mississippi
(D) The Nile

Answer 1

Hint:
 The bird's foot shape refers to a symmetrical shape, which is often formed by tributaries of the river. The rivers flow out of the main river and then flow in a different stream in a zigzag manner. The aerial view of such a system resembles that of birds' feet.

Complete solution:
 A river carris clay, stones and sediments along with it wherever it flows. These particles get deposited along the banks of the river due to force of the water and also because of their weight. Such an area is called a delta. It is very fertile and suitable for crops that require a lot of water to grow, like paddy. The size and shape of a delta depends upon the size of river and presence of its tributaries.

River deltas have played a very crucial role in human civilization because they provide water and fertile land increasing agricultural productivity, necessary for every civilization. They also facilitate trade and commerce through waterways. Most of the world's greatest civilizations were located along the banks of rivers. Example- The Indus Valley civilization, greatest civilization of India, was located along the banks of the river Indus.

The Mississippi forms a birds foot delta when it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi delta is the seventh largest delta on earth. It forms an important coastal region of the United States. It covers an area of 2.7 million acres.

Additional information:
There are 3 major kinds of river deltas-
Arcuate river delta- The Nile forms the arcuate river delta.
Birds foot river delta- The Mississippi forms the birds foot river delta.
Cuspate river delta- The Tiber forms cuspate river delta.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
At a river delta, the sediment rich rivers empties its water into the sea as a result of which the sediments get deposited on the delta which makes them a very rich source of fertile land. The deltas support a large biodiversity. It contains some of the species endemic to that area.