The Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeast Africa which empties into the Mediterranean Sea. At 7,088 kilometers (4,404 mi) long, it is the longest river in the world, [b] although the volume of water it carries is much smaller than other major rivers such as the Amazon or the Congo.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the Nile is about 100 miles longer than the Amazon. Nile River, the longest river in the world, called the father of African rivers. It rises south of the Equator and flows northward through northeastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea.
Nile River | Start, Map, Length, Facts, Continent, History, & Location ...
It was considered the source of life by the ancient Egyptians and has played a vital role in the country's history. The Nile flows from two separate sources: the White Nile from equatorial Africa and the Blue Nile from the Abyssinian highlands.
In the ancient Egyptian language, the Nile is called iteru, meaning "great river," represented by the hieroglyphs shown on the right. [3] The Nile has two major tributaries. The Blue Nile is the source of most of the Nile's water and fertile soil, but the White Nile is the longer of the two.
Learn about the world's longest river in our Nile river facts! How long is the Nile? Where does the Nile start? Why is this famous river so important?
The Nile River boasts three significant tributaries: the White Nile, the Blue Nile, and the Atbara. The White Nile, the longest of the trio, begins with streams flowing into Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world.
It flows across 11 African countries, beginning from the sources of the White Nile and the Blue Nile, which meet in Sudan, and then continuing through Egypt until it reaches the sea. Along its journey, it has always provided people with water, fertile soil, and a reason to settle.