Indigenous peoples have lived along the river for at least 2,000 years, establishing complex agricultural societies before European exploration of the region began in the 16th century. The river drains an arid watershed of nearly 60,000 square miles (160,000 km 2) that lies mostly within the U.S., but also extends into northern Sonora, Mexico. The Gila River ( / ˈ h iː l ə/ O'odham : Keli Akimel or simply Akimel, Quechan: Haa Siʼil, Maricopa language: Xiil ) is a 649-mile-long (1,044 km) tributary of the Colorado River flowing through New Mexico and Arizona in the United States.
San Francisco River, Salt River, Agua Fria River, Hassayampa River San Simon River, San Pedro River, Santa Cruz River
