Rivers shape the landscape over time through processes such as erosion, transportation, and deposition. As rivers flow, they erode the surrounding land by carrying away sediment and rocks. This erosion creates channels and valleys in the landscape. The sediment and rocks that are eroded by the river are then transported downstream. As the river slows down, it deposits this sediment, which can build up new landforms such as riverbanks, floodplains, and deltas. Over long periods of time, rivers can carve out deep canyons, create meandering paths, and even change course altogether, significantly shaping the surrounding landscape.