What is the term for the place where a river originates?

The term for the place where a river originates is the source. This is considered the starting point of a river, often found in highland areas, hills, or mountains where water collects from rainfall or melting snow. The source is crucial because it determines the characteristics of the river, such as its flow direction and the types of ecosystems it may support.

In contrast, a delta is the landform that occurs at the mouth of a river, where it meets a larger body of water and deposits sediments. The mouth refers specifically to the endpoint of a river where it flows into a sea, lake, or another river. A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river, contributing water and sometimes sediment to it. Understanding these terms is essential for grasping how river systems function and how they interact with the surrounding landscape.