Nile River

  The Nile River flows over 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) until emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. For thousands of years, the river has provided a source of irrigation to transform the dry area around it into lush agricultural land. Today, the river continues to serve as a source of irrigation, as well as an important transportation and trade route. GRADES 5 - 8 SUBJECTS Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations 96 IMAGE women and children on the banks of the nile The Nile River has been a central feature of life in northeast Africa for thousands of years. Even today, families come to gather water from the riverbank, surrounded by ruins left by ancient civilizations. 

 PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID BOYER

The Nile River flows from south to north through eastern Africa. It begins in the rivers that flow into Lake Victoria (located in modern-day Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya), and empties into the Mediterranean Sea more than 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) to the north, making it one of the longest river in the world. The Nile River was critical to the development of ancient Egypt. In addition to Egypt, the Nile runs through or along the border of 10 other African countries, namely, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Its three main tributaries are the White Nile, the Blue Nile, and the Atbara. 

 The soil of the Nile River delta between El Qâhira (Cairo) and the Mediterranean Sea is rich in nutrients, due to the large silt deposits the Nile leaves behind as it flows into the sea. The banks of the Nile all along its vast length contain rich soil as well, thanks to annual flooding that deposits silt. From space, the contrast between the Nile's lush green river banks and the barren desert through which it flows is obvious. For millennia, much of Egypt's food has been cultivated in the Nile delta region. Ancient Egyptians developed irrigation methods to increase the amount of land they could use for crops and support a thriving population. Beans, cotton, wheat, and flax were important and abundant crops that could be easily stored and traded. 

 The Nile River delta was also an ideal growing location for the papyrus plant. Ancient Egyptians used the papyrus plant in many ways, such as making cloth, boxes, and rope, but by far its most important use was in making paper. Besides using the river's natural resources for themselves and trading them with others, early Egyptians also used the river for bathing, drinking, recreation, and transportation. Today, 95 percent of Egyptians live within a few kilometers of the Nile. Canals bring water from the Nile to irrigate farms and support cities. The Nile supports agriculture and fishing. 

The Nile also has served as an important transportation route for thousands of years. Today, some residents of El Qâhira (Cairo) have begun using private speed boats, water taxis, or ferries to avoid crowded streets. Dams, such as the Aswân High Dam in Egypt, have been built to help to tame the river and provide a source of hydroelectric power. However, the silt and sediment that used to flow north, enriching the soil and building the delta, is now building up behind the dam instead. Instead of growing in size through the soil deposits, the delta is now shrinking due to erosion along the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, routine annual flooding no longer occurs along parts of the Nile. These floods were necessary to flush and clean the water of human and agricultural waste. As a result, the water is becoming more polluted. 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/anatomy-nile/?utm_source=BibblioRCM_Row#the-source-of-the-nile

The Source of the Nile

Where does the Nile river begin? As long as 5,000 years ago, the Nile was believed to be a gift from the gods. Learn about the influence of the Nile on Egypt's population, and discover where this river comes from with real-life visuals and animated maps.

 The Nile River also continues to be an important trade route, connecting Africa with markets in Europe and beyond.

Ancient Egypt 263 Egypt was a vast kingdom of the ancient world. It was unified around 3100 B.C.E. and lasted as a leading economic and cultural influence throughout North Africa and parts of the Levant until it was conquered by the Macedonians in 332 B.C.E. Today Egyptologists, archaeologists who focus on this ancient civilization, have learned a great deal about the rulers, artifacts, and customs of ancient Egypt. Use these resources to teach your students about the ancient Egyptians. VIEW COLLECTION Anatomy of the Nile 57 Discover the source of the Nile with real-life visuals and animated maps. VIEW VIDEO Understanding Rivers 142 A river is a large, natural stream of flowing water. Rivers are found on every continent and on nearly every kind of land. VIEW ARTICLE Nile Perch 7 Photo: Man rides a motorcycle, with a giant fish strapped to the back. VIEW PHOTOGRAPH SEARCH THE RESOURCE LIBRARY resources for all grades in any subject SEARCH National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036 Careers  |   Newsroom  |   Privacy Notice  |   Sustainability Policy  |   Terms of Service  |   Code of Ethics  |   Contact Us National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2022 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved. DONATE GET UPDATES CONNECT