Located in Africa, the Nile River is a major north-flowing river in western Africa. At 4100 miles long it is considered the longest river on earth. The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile. While the Blue Nile is the source of most of the river's water and fertile soil, the White Nile is much longer. The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert from Sudan to Egypt.
Ancient Egypt
Egypt has been dependent on the Nile since ancient times. Most of the Egypt's population and most of its cities, with the exception of coastal cities, lie along the Nile valley north of Aswan. In addition, nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt are found along the banks of the river.
References
Fast Facts
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Length
6,650 km
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Basin
3,400,000 km2
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First inhabitants
8000 BC
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Fact:
Flows north
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Fact:
Runs through 10 countries
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Two major tributaries
White Nile and Blue Nile
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Four Major Dams
Roseires Dam, Sennar Dam, Aswan High Dam, and Owen Falls DamMBarron: Nile River Fact File
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Mouth
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Fact:
John Hanning Speke believed Lake Victoria to be the source in 1858
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Fact:
Only 22% of the Nile's course runs through EgyptWoodlands Junior:Nile River
