The largest river flowing. The longest river in the world (full-flowing, long). Rating of major rivers on Earth by continent. History and geography
Until recently, it was written in all school textbooks that the longest river in the world is the Nile. Its length is 6670 kilometers. However, already now many scientists give the palm to another river - the Amazon.
This happened for several reasons. Namely, the Nile became shorter after the Aswan Dam was built on it in 1960. Well, besides this, the Amazon River has several tributaries, these are Ucayali and Marañon. And recently, its beginning began to lead from the source of the Ucayali. And from this point, the length of the South American river has exceeded 7 thousand kilometers. For comparison, this is the distance from Berlin to New York.
fresh sea
However, the Amazon is not only the longest river in the world. She holds several more records. For example, it is the largest basin in size and the most full-flowing (special thanks to heavy rainfall for this). Undoubtedly, the Amazon is the most water-bearing river in the world. Approximately 200 thousand cubic meters of water are thrown by the river into the Atlantic Ocean. By the way, in 30 seconds a reservoir can provide absolutely every inhabitant of the planet with one liter of fresh water. It turns out that one fifth of all fresh water that enters the oceans falls on the Amazon. And the strength with which fresh water flows into the Atlantic, displacing the salty one at a distance of about 200 kilometers. Only for this, the famous Italian navigator Vicente Yanes Pinzon gave the Amazon another name - Mor Dulce, which translates as "Fresh Sea".
By the way, at the first meeting with the river, one really wants to call the Amazon a sea. In some places, its width is so huge that it is impossible to see the opposite bank. And the flood makes the longest river even wider. At such times, the width reaches fifty kilometers. Well, the depth is not so impressive, in the largest places it ranges from 50 to 80 meters. In the narrow is 130 meters. The Amazon is located parallel to the equator. This leads to the fact that it is strongly influenced by the summer season, and both hemispheres. Therefore, right and left tributaries are replenished with water. And the water level can rise and fall. Experts compare the life of the Amazon with the pulsation of a giant heart. Throughout the year, the water level can fluctuate from 9 to 12 meters. In general, the Amazon is filled with more than five hundred tributaries. Particularly noteworthy are the right Madeira and the left Río Negro. If you add up the length of all the branches of the champion's river, then its length will be more than 25 thousand kilometers.
Royal flora and fauna
The Indians have always bowed before the beauty of the mighty Amazon and called it nothing more than the "queen of the rivers." This water longest river on the planet pass at the foot of the Peruvian Andes, come into contact with the dense tropical forests of Ecuador and Bolivia, and also flow near the "floating islands" of Colombia, plantations of cassava bushes and guarana in Brazil. On the shores of the Amazon, in the plant kingdom, among the dense interweaving of palm leaves and vines, anacondas and jaguars live, who are looking for their victims. And vice versa, tapirs hide from predators, capybaras graze, monkeys play and frogs croak. Well, in muddy waters rivers (due to the silt that is carried by a turbulent stream of water) lives more than two thousand species of fish. In general, there are about 30 times more fish species in the Amazon than in all European rivers. Among them are the famous piranhas, stingrays and river sharks (all these are "submarine wolves"). Two types of river dolphins are found here, you can meet a giant otter, as well as an alligator and turtles. By the way, during the rainy season, pink river dolphins from the main river move to the flooded forest, where they can be found swimming or hunting near the trees. It is noteworthy that on one hectare rainforest rivers can be found more than 200 varieties of trees. And that's not all, on one tree, according to research, there can be up to 72 various kinds ants. By the way, the longest river on Earth fully justifies the name.
This has been happening since the time of the conquistadors of Spain (this is the XV-XVI centuries). Then the conquerors were extremely surprised by the strength of Indian women. They fought alongside men and were inferior to them in little. Therefore, the mighty river was named after their tribe "de los Amazonas". The river does not allow itself to be approached because of the steep banks. They are not just clayey and steep, but swampy and flooded in places. The drifting driftwood, disgusting mud and constant whirlpools speak of the warlike and violent temper of the Amazon.
Taming of the Shrew
Man has been trying to conquer the great Amazon for a long time. Some do it out of sporting interest, and some out of selfish motives. In the latter case, we are talking about cutting down the jungle, which is present in abundance on the banks of the river. Man ruthlessly destroys nature, thereby depriving the planet of vital energy. Others behave much more harmlessly. The simplest example of conquering a river is the story of Martin Strela. This young man showed himself forte and earned hero status in a documentary called Big River Man. The picture was released in 2009. A fearless swimmer from Slovenia swam 5,268 kilometers across the water surface in just 66 days. The athlete, thanks to this, got into the Guinness Book of Records, thereby showing the strength of the human spirit and mutual understanding of nature and man.
By the way, not a single bridge across the Amazon River, about 7 thousand kilometers long, exists. One and only appeared only in 2010. The crossing was thrown over one of the tributaries of the longest river - Río Negro. The bridge connects the major Amazon port of Manaus and the city of Iranduba. The length of this structure is quite impressive - 3 kilometers and 595 meters.
Breathe in the back
The Nile is right behind the Amazon in length. Well, further in the list of the longest rivers are the Mississippi (with the Missouri). This river in North America stretches for 6,420 kilometers. Next comes the Yangtze, its length is 5800 kilometers. Well, the Ob closes the top five record holders. The Siberian river, taking into account the Irtysh, stretches for 5410 kilometers. By the way, this is the longest river in Russia.
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Thanks to the rivers, melt or rain water is returned back to the ocean. Therefore, these watercourses can safely be called the main part of the water cycle on the planet. Each river system has a separate character, which depends on the climate, the relief of a particular area.
River length
When compiling the characteristics of rivers, the following factors are taken into account: length, water regime, flow, water content, width, and also the depth of the channel. First, the source is found, then the final place where it flows into the ocean or sea is determined, after which research is carried out throughout. In order to understand which river is the longest, it is necessary to correctly measure its size, which is sometimes not very easy. Determining the length between the mouth and the source is difficult due to the lack of accurate maps. Therefore, the measurements will directly depend on the scales used. The most objective option would be to measure the length on a small map, so it will be possible to show not only its size, but also the width of the stream. Despite the difficulties, scientists were still able to compile a list of the 5 longest rivers. However, after new expeditions, the results may change.
Yenisei - the fifth position in the list
One of the most major rivers Russia - Yenisei. It is approximately 5500 km long and 70 meters deep. It rightfully occupies the fifth position in the world list of "The longest river on the planet." Thanks to her, the development of lands in the north of the country began several centuries ago. It is impossible not to note its importance for the state: the largest ports are located on the banks of the Yenisei, and the river itself is the navigable artery of the country. It flows in almost all geographical and climatic regions, serves as a border for Eastern and Western Siberia. The river is replenishing different ways but mostly due to snowmelt. High water is typical in the spring season. Also, due to the formation of ice "plugs", the size of the river in some areas increases many times over. It should be noted that about 40 species of fish are found in the Yenisei: from crucian carp to sturgeon. It is not uncommon to see some birds nesting on the river. A serious problem for the Yenisei is the hydroelectric power station, after the construction of which the channels of the water flow have greatly decreased, as a result of which there is a significant threat to the flora and fauna of the river.
Longest river - Mississippi
Fourth place went to the river, which originates in the United States. Its significance for the world is very difficult to overestimate, it is rightfully the greatest in the world. The area of the Mississippi is slightly more than 3,000 km, and together with the Missouri (the main tributary), this figure becomes twice as large - 6,000 km. The Mississippi is almost the longest river on the continent, second only to the Amazon. Food varied: rain, mixed and snow. However, it is impossible to name the exact method of replenishing water for the entire river, since each region has different climatic conditions. It is characterized by high water in spring and summer. Also, often due to the melting of snow, severe floods form, which leads to floods. The Mississippi is a major and also the most important transportation artery of the United States of America, which paves the way from the mainland to the Gulf of Mexico. Small water streams flow into the river, which originate in the mountains and rocks. Another interesting fact is that the distance from the Great Lakes to the nearest bay is the Mississippi basin. Tributaries from right side are in a dry climate, because of this, it is impossible to call the river full-flowing (even at the confluence with the Missouri). It becomes a major river only at the point of connection with the Ohio.
Third place on the list - Yangtze
In third place is the longest river in Eurasia - the Yangtze. Its total area is 6300 km. It, being a high-water river, flows throughout the territory of the Republic of China. Its waters are often used to irrigate fields. It should be noted that the Yangtze is the main highway of China. The stream is replenished with rainwater. The upper part of the river is fed by the melting of glaciers and snow. The river is also rich in fish. Its main inhabitants are carp, grass carp (black and white) and silver carp. The Yangtze is practically not covered with ice in winter time of the year. Only those areas that are the most calm and are located only in the upper reaches are subject to freezing. An interesting fact is that in different regions the river is called differently. For example, in the Himalayas - Dangku, and in Tibet - Jichu. The Yangtze originates in Himalayan ice and flows through their gorges. Surprisingly, in a small area, the river drops sharply from a height of 5000 m to 1000 m. This makes it appearance the most attractive. In some areas, the Yangtze is expanding due to the many tributaries of lakes and rivers. It also built the world's largest hydroelectric power station, the Three Gorges.
African River Nile
In second place was the "blue vein" of Africa - the Nile. The longest river on Earth until the beginning of the 20th century. Its total length is 6800 km. The Nile has a sufficient number of tributaries, but the last 4 km before the confluence with the Mediterranean Sea, the river flows without them. It should be noted that the river has no analogues in the world in terms of its functional purpose. The inhabitants of Africa call this river sacred, a temple was erected in her honor and a holiday was arranged. The Nile is the longest river in the country, it is still worshiped by the Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians. Until the 19th century, this water flow completely determined the life of peoples. Due to certain factors, the level of the river could rise sharply many times over, flooding the valleys. After the decision to build dams, a human-controlled irrigation system appeared. Today, the Nile fully meets the needs of the country. It flows through different climatic zones, is divided into several branches and irrigates massifs (the so-called "black earth", formed several centuries ago). On the banks of the river you can always see tourists, fishermen, peasants and merchants.
The longest river on earth is the Amazon
The first place and absolute leadership belongs to the Amazon. It is located in South America, is the largest not only in length, but also in terms of the size of the basin, as well as in terms of full flow. The river is fed mainly by rain and groundwater. Snow and glacier nutrition is absent. In 2011, she entered the list of wonders of the world. It is surrounded on all sides by forests. various types: white, black and dry. Since the Amazon is the longest river, you can find many different fish and reptiles: piranhas, crocodiles, archers, caimans, mammalian fish, stingrays, etc. Its characteristic feature is that it often rises several meters, flooding large areas. The flora is quite rich, with more than 3,000 species.
Disputes of hydrologists
Deciding which is the longest river in the world , scientists are in constant dispute. Until the beginning of the 20th century, many were convinced that Neil was the leader. However, after discovering the starting point of the Amazon in the south of Peru (previously it was believed that the source is located in the north of the country), Brazilian scientists found that the total length of the Nile is 100-150 m less. During the study, special lighthouses were installed, which made it possible to carry out additional calculations . The final result was announced in 2015 and confirmed the accuracy of the preliminary findings. And if we take into account all the ramifications of the Amazon tributaries, then its length will reach about 7000 km. It is rightfully called the most full-flowing and longest river.
The history of mankind has always been directly connected with water bodies - the point is not only in the origin, but also in the development of civilizations in river basins and off the coast of the seas. In the Middle Ages, powers with a fleet ruled the planet. To this day, the impact of water on human life is enormous. Therefore, the study of rivers can be not just a curious activity, but also a way to better understand the history of mankind and the relationship of different processes. First of all, you should pay attention to the largest, most famous and significant water flows of the Earth.
Nile
Although not the most full-flowing river in the world, it is the longest, and therefore the most important. It is located on the African continent. The Nile is the longest - its length, together with the Kagera tributary, is 6671 kilometers. The river crosses the territory of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt, on the lands of the latter flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The basin consists of two streams - the White and Blue Nile, and occupies almost three thousand square kilometers. The main tributaries are the Sobat, the Atbara and the Bahr el Ghazal. One of the first civilizations known to mankind was born on the banks of the Nile, and at the same time, this river remained unexplored for a long time. Until the nineteenth century, travelers wandered around the continent, trying to find the source, and this despite the fact that the first attempt was made by Europeans as early as 1613. Lake Victoria is also located in the basin, replenishing the river with water due to frequent rains in this area. A distinctive feature of the Nile is a large number of crocodiles - swimming in the reservoir is highly undesirable.
Amazon
Listing the great rivers of the world, it is impossible to forget about this one. The Amazon is the largest in South America, flows through the territories of Peru and Brazil, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Its name is associated with the legend of a warlike tribe of women who once lived on these shores. Their way of life was described by the traveler Carvajal, so vividly that there was no doubt about the authenticity of the stories. Europeans began to study the largest rivers of the world in the era of the Great geographical discoveries. In 1539, Pissarro arrived on the shores of the Amazon, trying to find gold. Hopes were not justified, but the Spaniards managed to explore the basin of an unfamiliar river with a strong current. The Amazon is the deepest river in the world. Its basin is almost seven thousand square kilometers. The river has about five hundred tributaries, forming a dense network, the most important being Purus, Zhurua, Madeira. The banks of the river are covered with impenetrable forests, and world-famous animals live in the waters.
Mississippi
For North Americans, this greatest river in the world. The Mississippi has many large tributaries - these are the Missouri, Illinois, Red River, Arkansas, Ohio. Many water arteries flow into the river. In Native American, the name of this hydronym means "father of the waters." The source is located in Lake Itasca, located in Like many other major rivers in the world, the Mississippi flows into the ocean - through the Shores almost along the entire length they are protected by ramparts, in places they are strengthened by dams. The mouth looks like a huge delta with six arms. The length of the river is almost four thousand kilometers. The Mississippi is fed by spring floods and floods caused by heavy rain. There used to be dense forest along the coast, but now there are many coastal cities.
Yangtze
Listing the largest rivers in the world, it is worth mentioning the one that flows through Asia. The Yangtze is the longest on the continent and the fourth longest on the planet. The length of the river is 5800 kilometers. The Yangtze flows through China and flows into the South China Sea, which belongs to the basin Pacific Ocean. The first Europeans who found themselves on the banks called the Blue River, but in fact the water in it is yellowish, with a lot of sand. The source is located in Tibet. The river is navigable for almost half of its length. At times of high water, the water level rises by a dozen meters, at such times the opportunities for sailing along the Yangtze increase. In winter, it becomes smaller, and shipping stops. Several reservoirs and dams have been built along the riverbed to prevent flooding. The Yangtze basin is extremely favorable for Agriculture. The shores are fertile soils, so the locals grow rice here. Like other great rivers of the world, flowing into the sea, the Yangtze forms a vast delta of several tens of thousands of kilometers.
Ob
Listing the greatest rivers of the world, it is necessary to mention the Russian one. The Ob flows through the west of Siberia and flows into the Gulf of Ob, which belongs to the Arctic Ocean. The source is located in the place, and the mouth creates a delta with a size of several thousand square kilometers. Like other great rivers of the world, the Ob is very long - its length is almost four thousand kilometers. The tributaries include Vasyugan, Irtysh, Bolshoi Yugan and Northern Sosva, as well as Chumysh, Chulym, Ket, Tom and Vakh. On the banks is located the largest city in this area, Novosibirsk. In addition, the basin is known for several oil fields. The waters of the Irtysh are used to generate electricity, in addition, several large reservoirs have been created near it.
Huanghe
The great rivers of the world flowing through China are not limited to the Yangtze. There is also the Yellow River, which flows into and is part of the Pacific Ocean basin. The waters of the river are distinguished by a yellowish tint caused by a large amount of silt. The length is almost five thousand kilometers, thanks to which the river is in sixth place in the world. However, the Yellow River basin is relatively small. The river takes its beginning and then flows along the Hetao Plain, along the Loess Plateau and the Great Plain of China, and then flows into the Bohaiwan Bay, where it forms a delta. There are several large cities along the coast. However, living here is not too easy - the Yellow River regularly erodes dams, which leads to serious floods.
Mekong
It just so happens that the most famous rivers in the world are most often located in Eurasia. So the Mekong - the most important water artery of Indochina - flows there. It is the fourth longest river in Asia and the eighth on the planet. The basin passes through the lands of China, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The length is about four and a half thousand kilometers. The Mekong begins in the Tibetan Plateau, from where it heads to the Sichuan Alps, then to the east of the peninsula, ends up on the Kampuchean Plain and splits into several branches in the delta. The tributaries are Tonle Sap, Mun, Bassak and Banghiang. Before Phnom Penh, the water area is called the Upper Mekong, and then the Lower Mekong. The pool is ideal for navigation throughout the year. Uninterrupted movement is possible for seven hundred kilometers. The river is fed by monsoon rains that fall from June to October.
Amur
To complete the list, including the most famous rivers in the world, is this one. The Amur serves as the border between China and Russia. From the source, its length is almost four and a half thousand kilometers. It flows into the Tatar Strait, located between the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. The area of the river covers 1856 square kilometers. The largest tributaries are the Tunguska, Zeya, Bureya, Amgun and Goryun, as well as the Ussuri and Sungari. Amur is used as a transport highway, as well as for fisheries. In the waters, you can get twenty-five valuable species of fish: pink salmon, carp, salmon, sturgeon and others. The name of the river means "black water" in Mongolian. On Far East Amur is considered the main water artery. Half of its basin falls on the territory of China. From July to September, the river is replenished with floods, sometimes they can become catastrophic. Some areas freeze in winter already from the beginning of November and are covered with ice until the very beginning of May.
For many countries and cities, rivers are very great importance, in particular, they are used as the main source drinking water, as irrigation systems, transport routes, etc. It is important that the waters and river basins are home to a large number of diverse animals. And we decided to compile a list of the top 10 longest rivers in the world, which can be found below.
Amur - 4444 km
The Amur River originates in the mountains of western Manchuria, at the confluence of its two main tributaries, the Shilka River and the Argun River. It flows on the border of Russia and China. It flows into the Amur Estuary of the Sea of Okhotsk. The length of the river is 4444 km. The largest fish species that lives in the Amur is Kaluga, which can reach a length of 5.6 meters and weigh up to 1 ton.
Congo River - 4700 km
The Congo River is the largest river in central Africa, flowing throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo and partly along the border with Angola. It is the most full-flowing river in the world with measured depths of over 220 m. The length of the Congo River is 4700 km, which makes it the ninth longest river in the world.
Parana – 4880 km
The Parana is a river in South America that flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It flows into the Gulf of La Plata in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the second longest river on the mainland, after the Amazon. The length of Parana is 4880 km. Most of the river is navigable and is used as an important waterway connecting the inland cities of Argentina and Paraguay.
Ob - 5410 km
The Ob is a large river in Western Siberia, Russia. The seventh longest river in the world is 5410 km long. It forms the longest mouth in the world - the Ob Bay, which flows into the Kara Sea. The main tributary is the Irtysh. The river is used mainly for irrigation and as drinking water. More than 50 species of fish live in the Ob River.
Huang He - 5464 km
The Yellow River, translated from Chinese as "Yellow River", is the third longest river in Asia, after the Yangtze and Yenisei rivers, and the sixth longest in the world, which is 5464 km. Huang He passes through nine Chinese provinces, and flows into the Bohai Bay of the Yellow Sea near the city of Dongying in Shandong province. The river has been called the "cradle of Chinese civilization" because its basin was home to ancient Chinese civilization and was considered the most prosperous region in early Chinese history.
Yenisei - 5539 km
The Yenisei is a large river flowing through the Republic of Khakassia and the city of Krasnoyarsk through Siberia. It is a natural border between Western and Eastern Siberia. The river flows into the Kara Sea of the Arctic Ocean. The maximum depth of the Yenisei is 24 meters, and the average is 14 meters. Considered an important waterway Krasnoyarsk Territory. The length of the river is 5539 km.
Mississippi - 6275 km
The Mississippi is a river that flows exclusively through the territory of the United States of America, and ranks fourth in the list of the longest rivers in the world. It is the main and largest river system North America. It flows through states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The Mississippi is 6275 km long.
Yangtze - 6300 km
The Yangtze is the longest river in Eurasia, as well as the third longest and deepest in the world. The Yangtze is 6300 km long, flows through almost the entire territory of China and plays a very important role in the history, culture and economy of the state. The Yangtze River basin occupies about a fifth of the entire territory of China. People's Republic where one third of the country's population lives.
Amazon - 6400 km
The Amazon is a river in South America. It is the largest river in the world in terms of basin size (occupies about 40% of the mainland, with an area of about 7,050,000 square kilometers) and full flow. It flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In the Amazon, as well as in the forests growing along it, a large number of dangerous animals live. The length of the river is 6400 km, which makes it the second longest river in the world. Although there have been disputes for many years about which river the Nile or the Amazon is the longest.
Nile - 6650 km
The Nile is the longest river in the world, flowing through Africa. It is considered an "international" river, since its water resources are divided into eleven countries, namely Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritria, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt. In particular, the Nile is the main source of water for Egypt and Sudan. The river originates in the East African plateau and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. It has two main tributaries - the White and Blue Nile. The length of the river is 6650 km.
Amur
Practically on state border between Russia and China, the Amur flows, the length of which is 4500 km, while the area reaches 1.85 km 2. The river flows into the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, and its coast has become a haven for rare species birds and animals.
Congo
The Congo is located in the central part of Africa and is considered the second largest (after the Nile) on the continent. Its total length is 4700 km, and the area of the water basin is 4 million km2. Congo is also known as Zaire. The river provides water for the inhabitants of Angola, Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Rwanda and Burundi. Zaire falls into the waters Atlantic Ocean.
Paraná
This river is considered the second longest on the South American continent, giving way to the Amazon. The length of the Parana is 4880 km, and the basin area is 2.58 km 2. Flowing through Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina, it flows into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Parana is considered to be the main water artery South America. Navigation is well developed here.
Ob
One of the largest rivers in Siberia with a length of 5410 km and a basin area of 3 million km2. The source of the Ob is located on the territory Altai Territory and flows into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. It is considered the longest in Russia. Power plants and reservoirs have been built on its thresholds.
Huanghe
The second name of this famous river is Zheltaya. It flows through most of China and is considered the country's second largest river. The total length of the Yellow River is about 5464 km, and the area of its basin is 750 thousand km 2. Thanks to the Shanxi Plateau, the water in the Huang He has a yellowish tint. Hence the second name of the river. For many centuries, the Yellow River, considered the cradle of the local civilization, changed course many times. Over time, many large cities arose on the banks of the Yellow River, which take water from here for drinking and household needs.
Yenisei
It is the Yenisei that holds the title of the longest river flowing through Siberia. It originates at the borders with Mongolia, and it flows into the waters of the Red Sea. The total length of the Siberian record holder is as much as 5539 km, and the basin area is 2.8 million km 2. Numerous power plants were opened on the banks of the Yenisei, producing electricity for numerous industrial enterprises in the region. The development of industry had a negative impact on the state of the local ecology.
Mississippi
Continental record holder North America, with a total length of 6275 km and a basin area of 3.27 million km2. The Mississippi originates in northern Minnesota near Lake Missouri, and its waters flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Translated from the language of the indigenous aborigines, the word "Mississippi" means "big river". This water artery is of great importance for industry and the development of the economic condition of the country. Shipping is developed here.
Yangtze
The largest river in China. The total length is 6300 km, the basin area is 1.8 million km 2. The beginning of the Yangtze is in the region of the Himalayan glaciers. Flowing through the country and dividing it in half, it flows into the waters of the South China Sea. Yangtze has importance for a country where large cities are located.
Amazon
The formation of the Amazon was facilitated by the confluence of two large rivers. Its length is 6400 km, the basin area is 7 million km2. The Amazon flows through Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana and Ecuador. In addition, many major rivers of the continent flow into it. It, in turn, flows into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A huge number of animals live on the shores of the Amazon.
Nile
The length of the record holder is 6650 km, the basin area is 3 million km 2. The Nile is located in the northeast of the African continent, carrying its waters into the waters mediterranean sea. You can see it in Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, as well as Uganda, Eritrea. The longest river in the world plays an important role in the life of the local population. It has major ports and power plants. It is considered the cradle of ancient civilization.