the area drained by a river and its tributaries is called its

basin

drainage basin

The area drained by a river and its tributaries is called its "watershed" or "catchment area." To determine the answer, you can search for the term "area drained by a river and its tributaries," which will lead you to the term "watershed" or "catchment area." This information can be found in geography or earth science textbooks, online sources, or through a simple internet search.