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The Nile is famous as the longest
river in the world. The river got
its name from the Greek word Neilos,
which means valley. The Nile floods the
lands in Egypt, leaving behind black
sediment. That's why the ancient
Egyptians named the river Ar,
meaning black.
Some more river Nile facts.
How long is the Nile
River? - The Nile River is actually
6695 kilometers (4184 miles)
long. With such a long length, the Nile
River is speculated to be the longest
river in the world. The Amazon River
runs a very close second, although it
has been difficult to determine which is
actually longer. River Nile facts
state it winds from Uganda to Ethiopia,
flowing through a total of nine
countries. While the Nile River is often
associated with Egypt, it actually
touches Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan, as
well as Egypt. It's only recent that the
first known navigation team successfully
followed the river from beginning to its
end.
How did the ancient Egyptians use
the Nile River? - The Nile River has
played an extremely important role in
the civilization, life and history of
the Egyptian nation. One of the most
well known river Nile facts is the
river's ability to produce extremely
fertile soil, which made it easy for
cities and civilizations to spring up
alongside the banks of the Nile. The
fertile soil is contributed by the
annual spring floods, when the Nile
River overflows onto the banks. Much of
the Egyptian nation consists of dry
desert land. Throughout most of the
year, very little rain falls on Egyptian
deserts. This has remained true for
thousands of years. The abundant Nile
River provided much needed irrigation,
even in ancient times. This waterway
also provided a source of drinking
water, and source of irrigation for
farming as well as papyrus reeds that
could be used for a variety of purposes
such as paper and building materials.
Nile Crocodile Facts - The
Nile Crocodile has been a major
component of the Egyptian culture and
way of life since the first Egyptians
settled along the fertile banks of the
Nile. Most Nile Crocodiles are
approximately 4 meters in length,
although some have been reported as
longer. The animals make their nests
along the banks of the Nile River, where
the female may lay up to 60 eggs at one
time. Some three months later the babies
are born and are taken to the water by
their mother. They will remain with her
for at least two years before reaching
maturity.
Not only is the Nile River one of the
main rivers of Egypt, but many would in
fact; say it is the primary river of
Egypt. The Nile River has certainly
played a critical role in the history of
this mysterious nation.
Today, exotic and sophisticated
cities like Cairo and
Alexandria grace the banks of the
Nile River, as they have for thousands
of years. Individuals interested in
experiencing the Nile up close and
personal can journey along the famous
river aboard riverboat cruises that
depart from numerous cities along the
bank. |
