Located in north-eastern Africa, the Nile River is considered as the longest river in the world with an approximate length of 6,670 kilometers or 4,160 miles.
It played a critical part in the history of Egypt as it gave rise to one of the world’s most remarkable civilizations which are Ancient Egypt.
The Nile River creates a fertile green valley throughout the desert which was essential in helping Ancient Egyptians produced foods for themselves and animals.
Most experts believed that Ancient Egypt could have not existed if not for the Nile River since rainfall is mostly non-existent in Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian Trade
In addition, the Nile River also helped Ancient Egyptians in the trade industry as it provided them with the fastest and easiest way to move from one place to another.
Moreover, it was also instrumental in helping them create boats and paper from the Reeds which grew alongside the Nile.
To this day, most Egyptians still live near the Nile as it provides them easy access to not only water and food but also transportation and exceptional soil for growing crops.
The Gods
Additionally, the river is likewise associated with a number of gods and goddesses, all of whom the Ancient Egyptians believed were severely responsible for blessings and misfortunes of the culture, land, and weather as well as the abundance of people.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that the gods and goddesses were familiarly associated with people and could assist them in all aspects of life.
Giver of Life
According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, the Nile River is considered as the symbol of the god known as Hapi who graced the land with abundance.
Other myths suggest that Isis, who is recognized as the “Giver of Life” and the goddess of Nile, was regarded to have helped people in farming and working the land.
While it is primarily associated with Egypt, only 22 percent of the Nile passes through the course of Egypt.
Other than Egypt, the river also runs through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Congo, Uganda, and Sudan.
It is made up of two major tributaries such as the White Nile which is recognized as the longest and the prime headwaters of the river while the Blue Nile is composed mainly of silt and carries about two-thirds of the river.
What basins border the Nile River?
The Nile River basin is surrounded by the Mediterranean on the North, the Red Sea Hills on the East, and the Ethiopian Plateau on the South and Lake Victoria on the West.
What are the three stages of the Egyptian calendar?
The Egyptian calendar is divided into three phenomena specifically the Akhet or flood season, the Peret, and the Shemu.
What caused floods in the Nile River?
Heavy summer rains and melting snow are among the primary causes of floods in the Nile River.
Why the Nile River does not flood now?
During the 1970s, the Egyptian government constructed the Aswan High Dam to control the flooding in the area.
River Nile Facts for Kids
- The term Nile is derived from the Greek word Neilos, which means a valley or a river valley.
- The largest source of the Nile River is Lake Victoria.
- Water volume at the Nile River flows at an average of 300 million cubic meters which is an equivalent of 79.2 billion gallons per day.
- Reputed Dutch travel magazine, Travelling Along Rivers estimates that it would take about three months for the waters in Uganda to reach the Mediterranean Sea.
- Ancient Egyptians who lived within close proximity of the Nile River experiences a phenomenon called akhet or the inundation every year, which causes flood from June to September.
- The Ancient Egyptians called Nile River as Ar or Aur, which means black due to the color of sediment left after the yearly flood.
- The Nile River was also an excellent living environment for a number of animals.It is the home of black rhinoceroses and hippopotamus, both of which are now facing extinction.In addition, it also has more than 30 species of snakes and blue herons as well as eels and white ibis birds.
- Areas next to the Nile River are known as the Black Land and the Red Land, which is a place of inhospitable desert.
- The Nile River basin covers about one-tenth of the area of the whole African continent.
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