In recent decades, atmospheric rivers (ARs) have garnered significant attention from meteorological, climatological, and hydrological communities due to their pivotal role in shaping global weather patterns. However, the limited focus on AR-associated ocean variability and air-sea fluxes can be attributed to the lack of high-resolution ocean data. ARs are characterized by narrow, elongated, and transient corridors of intense horizontal water vapor transport which typically extend from the (sub)tropics to mid-latitudes, often connected to the warm sector of extratropical cyclones. These systems exert profound influences on water resource management, emergency response planning, and various socioeconomic activities. This review provides an in-depth exploration of ARs, the history, characteristics, detection methods, and impacts. Additionally, the methodology employed in this study involved the utilization of VosViewer software. The formal definition of ARs, as included in the Glossary of Meteorology, is discussed, emphasizing their role as the largest freshwater rivers on Earth. The influence of ARs on precipitation regimes is examined, particularly in regions such as the U.S. West Coast, Europe, South Africa, and South America, shedding light on their correlation with extreme precipitation and flooding. Furthermore, the study explores and discusses the effects on the ocean, underscoring the imperative to enhance studies focused on understanding the oceanographic variability under the influence of extreme atmospheric events.