What Direction Does the Nile River Flow?
The Nile River flows north from its source. This river flows over 4,100 miles before it reaches the Mediterranean Sea, the location of the Nile Delta. The Nile River has been one of the most important bodies of water in Africa for thousands of years. Its ability to support life in a somewhat inhospitable part of the world helped Ancient Egypt become a major power in the world. In fact, a great deal of the population in Egypt and other countries is located along the Nile, in the surrounding areas, and in places where the river has been dammed. Now that we know the Nile River flows from south to north, we can look at where the river starts and see the amazing journey this body of water takes.
What Countries Does the Nile River Flow Through?
The Nile River flows over 4,000 miles from start to finish. The water’s course is very complex, with some uncertainty about the river’s headwaters still persisting despite multiple expeditions over many years. The river’s drainage basin is found in 11 different countries throughout the northeastern portion of Africa. The Nile River flows through: The Nile River flows in each of these countries to some extent. Some of them are areas containing small tributaries, while others host the Nile River’s largest sources.
What Are the Nile River’s Tributaries?
The two main tributaries of the Nile River include the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile is over 2,000 miles long, but it contributes far less water to the Nile River than the Blue Nile. The White Nile begins at the Kagera River, a body of water that flows through parts of Burundi and Rwanda before feeding into Lake Victoria. From Lake Victoria, the river flows through Uganda and into Lake Albert before flowing north through South Sudan and Sudan. In Sudan, the White Nile meets the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana in Tanzania, and that lake is fed by the Lesser Abay River. The river flows south from Lake Tana and then west before turning to flow northwest in Sudan. The Blue Nile can provide as much as 80% of the Nile River’s total water flow throughout the rainy season. The White Nile and the Blue Nile reach a confluence at Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, forming the Nile River and flowing northward to the Nile Delta in the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, many smaller tributaries exist along the massive length of this river, both for the main tributaries and the Nile River.
Why Does the Nile River Flow North?
The Nile River flows south to north for the same reasons that any other river flows: the northern section of the continent is lower in elevation than the southern portion. The White Nile starts around Lake Victoria, a body of water located over 3,700ft above sea level. The origin of the Blue Nile is found in Lake Tana, an area located in a mountainous region with a surface elevation of over 5,800ft! The river outflows near Cairo, a city only 75ft above sea level. As you can see, the massive change in elevation from south to north favors the water flowing north overall. However, if you look at a map of the tributaries and the main Nile River, it’s clear that the river turns several times as it winds around mountains.
Do Any Other Rivers Flow North?
We’ve answered the question, what direction does the Nile River flow? It flows from south to north. Still, a misconception persists that the vast majority of rivers run from north to south. However, that is not the case with the Nile River and many others. Although the Mississippi River in the United States runs south, other rivers in North America and around the world flow north like the Nile River, for example, the New River, the oldest river in the United States, also flows north from North Carolina, through Virginia, and into West Virginia. Also, the Mackenzie River in Canada’s Northwest Territory flows north into the Arctic Ocean. The Ob River in Russia does the same thing, too. Many rivers in the world flow north, but not all of them do. Major rivers can be found flowing in every direction due to changes in elevation and the terrain surrounding an area.
What Rivers Are Longer than the Nile?
Likewise, the Yangtze River is also in contention for one of the longest rivers in the world, but it doesn’t crack the 4,000-mile mark, according to recognized sources. All in all, the Nile River is a very significant and large body of water. Knowing its sources and direction of flow can help dispel some myths about rivers in general and this one in particular. The origin of the Nile River is still debated, but it’s generally believed the Nile starts in Lake Victoria. Measuring the furthest source of the Nile requires looking at rivers that flow into Victoria, with the Kagera River generally considered to be the furthest source.
