Facts About Nile River

Nile River, rightly called the ‘father of African rivers’, extends up to 4184 miles across north-eastern Africa, crossing Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea. The transcontinental country, Egypt is closely related to the River Nile as it has served its people since the Stone Age. The significance of Nile was also stated by Greek historian Herodotus when he noted Egypt as ‘the gift of the Nile’. Nile is a major boon not only because of its equatorial rains, but also as a means of adventure, agriculture, transportation, etc. for the Egyptian population. The Egyptians believed River Nile to be the centre point of the world and also the place where the world really began. The longest river in the world, Nile, has endured for ages by spreading across the dessert and waterlogged marshes and overflowing into the jungle marshlands. Truly considered as the ‘lifeline of the Egyptian civilization’, Nile houses most of the Egyptian population along its shores. For more interesting facts about River Nile, the backbone of Egypt, scroll further.

Amazing And Interesting Facts About Nile River

• Nile River originated in Burundi, towards south of the Equator and has two tributaries, Blue Nile and White Nile. The river has a total length of 6695 km covering an area of at least 3,349,000 square kilometers.

• River Nile was considered as the longest river of the world, although recent studies reveal that the Amazon River is longer.

• 50% of the water available in River Nile is due to the water available in Blue Nile.

• In 1970, the Aswan High dam was built in order to regulate the floods of the River Nile. This was a great necessity for the people of Egypt as otherwise the waters were wiping out the crops of the lands during high levels of waters. The low levels of the same resulted in famines and droughts. Hence, the dam was an obvious boon.

• The River Nile passes through nine countries viz., Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Zaire, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Egypt which is home to 22% of the river. Cairo, Aswan, Karnak, Thebes, Khartoum, Gondokoro and the town of Alexandria are the cities through which Nile flows.

• White Nile derived its name from its appearance and white color which is due to the presence of silt. Blue Nile originates from the Lake Tana in Ethiopia whereas the White Nile has its origin at Lake Victoria.

• River Nile was pivotal during the construction of the famous pyramids. The blocks of stone used for building of pyramids were transported to the site, with the help of Nile.

• The river derived its name from the Greek word ‘Neilos’ (earlier called ‘Nahal’) which means river valley. It is rightly considered the ‘river of life’ not only because it has given life to Egyptian civilization but also supported and strengthened its culture.

• Bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by Red Sea Hills and Ethiopian Plateau and with the East African Highlands to the south, it covers almost one–tenth of the continent.

• Combined with the high temperatures of the land, Nile had immense scope for cultivation along the banks of the river. No wonder then that the Egyptian civilization was the first to use the plow, a major agricultural breakthrough of the time. 

• Without the River Nile, the lands of Egypt would have been barren. However, its flooding every year did immense damage also. Now, the dams built across the river have considerably helped reduce the impact of these annual floods.

• River Nile has great significance and has played a major role in civilization and history with its impact on the life of Egypt. This river makes the soil fertile and provides wide opportunities for cultivation of crops.

• Not to forget, River Nile is also a great source of transport, especially during the flood season when motor transport is not a feasible option.

• Obviously, the river Nile is home to many species of animals as well. It supports many crocodiles, baboons, turtles, wildebeests and more than 300 species of birds and fish like eagles, ibis, Nile valley sunbird and many others. Hence, Nile River is an indispensable element of the Egyptian life.

• The river is also called ‘Ar’ or ‘Aur’, which means black, as it leaves behind black sediments after numerous floods.

• It was in 2004, during the White Nile Expedition, that the entire length of the river Nile was measured. It took the researchers four months and two weeks to complete the process which began in Uganda and finished in Rosetta.

• The famous Rosetta stone which was found in the Nile Delta paved way for the understanding of the Egyptian hieroglyphics and was thoroughly significant as an Ancient Egyptian artifact.