The Colorado River is approximately 1,450 miles (2,330 kilometers) long, making it the fifth longest river in the United States. It originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and flows southwest through the Colorado Plateau, the Grand Canyon, and the southwestern U.S. before reaching the Gulf of California in Mexico. The river's length and extensive drainage basin cover parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states. It plays a vital role in supplying water to around 40 million people and supports agricultural, urban, and hydroelectric needs in the region.