A delta is a low-lying area where a river meets the sea. Often, the river divides into many tributary streams, forming a triangular-shaped area. The river deposits a large amount of sediment at its mouth, creating excellent soil for farming once the channel of the stream moves. One of the most famous deltas is where the Nile River meets the Mediterranean Sea. Other major deltas include the Mississippi River delta in Louisiana, the Ganges River delta in India, and the Yangtze delta in China. The word delta comes from the Greek letter delta, referring to its triangular shape when written.