The Nile River is officially the longest river in the world. Today I’ll talk about the Nile River in great detail as well as provide a list of a few other of the longest rivers you can explore.
What Is the Biggest River in the World?
When people talk about the longest river in the world, the most common options in the conversation are the Nile and Amazon. People, however, often think the first of them is the winner of that title.
Where does the debate come from? Well, it’s kind of difficult to exactly measure all the rivers on earth. It’s not always clear where a river system starts or ends.
Besides that, the technology people use to measure rivers depends on where they are in the first place. As of today, the Nile River system starts in Africa and goes through it to the highlands of Burundi. It passes by several countries and then goes into the Mediterranean Sea.
Officially, the Nile River is 4,132 miles long and the Amazon is only 4,000. Many researchers are still trying to give a more accurate number, though.
Exploring the Nile’s Wonders
The Nile River has an ancient origin. Hence, there are still many secrets to its formation. Many people find it unbelievable that our planet carved the path and surrounding landscape of the river millions of years ago.
This river has a unique ecosystem with flora and fauna you won’t find in other places. That includes hippopotamuses, pink flamingos, and crocodiles.
Experiencing the Biggest River in the World
There are many things to do across the landscape that surrounds the longest river in the world. You can stay in the local communities.
There, you can learn how to fish and local cooking techniques. Many people volunteer to protect the Nile’s ecosystem and support a sustainable lifestyle there.
The Nile’s Future
Unfortunately, the community service campaigns mentioned before are essential for the Nile’s future. Climate change and improper water management are a huge threat to its ecosystem.
Unless people work toward the goal of preserving the wildlife and flora of the areas surrounding the river, the Nile could face severe consequences. That also represents a problem for the people who live there since their lifestyle depends entirely on the river.
The Runner-ups – Longest River in the World List
The Nile is not the only long river on earth. There are, actually, many options. Let’s talk a bit about them. However, before doing so, let’s check a few of the rivers that didn’t make it to the list:
- Yellow River – 3,395 miles
- Congo River – 2,900 miles
- Ob River – 3,461 miles
Yenisei River – 2,167 Miles
Though it’s the shortest on the list, the Yenisei River is actually considered the fifth longest river in the world when you make it part of the Angara-Selenga river system. In this case, it would become 3,442 miles long. It goes through Mongolia to Russia and ends in the Arctic Ocean. People use it for food, transportation, and energy.
Mississippi River – 2,340 Miles
The Mississippi River is one of the most popular rivers worldwide. It goes from Minnesota and dries into the Gulf of Mexico. This river played an important role in the history of the United States.
It’s worth noting that the Mississippi becomes 3,710 miles long when you mix it with the Missouri River. This is similar to what happens with the Yenisei.
Yangtze River – 3,915 Miles
Getting to the Mighty Yangtze River, we have a body of water that empties into the East China Sea. Although it’s not close to the Nile’s length, it’s still one of the longest rivers we have.
The 2nd Longest River in the World – The Amazon River – 4,000 Miles
As mentioned before, the Amazon River is Nile’s main competition for the title of the longest river in the world. This body of water goes through South Africa and flows into the Atlantic Ocean through Brazil.
Although its final destination is the Atlantic Ocean, this river has many mouths that head towards the sea. Hence, it’s difficult to tell the exact point where it ends. It’s approximately 4,000 miles long.
Are There Any Long Rivers in South America?
There are actually many long rivers in South America. The second-longest one – the Amazon River – actually goes through the continent.
Here are other important rivers in South America:
- Parana River – 3,032 miles
- Orinoco River – 1,700 miles
If you like finding out facts about the world, you may like to explore the largest glaciers in the world!
Bottom Line
Rivers play an essential role in the countries where they go through. People use them for power, transportation, food, and more.
While there are many ongoing investigations related to which is actually the longest one, the Nile has been the answer for years. It doesn’t seem like that’s going to change in the long run.
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About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
