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The Nile is one of the most famous rivers on our planet. It houses a diverse range of wildlife animal species such as crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Moreover, it holds great cultural and religious significance, especially for ancient Egypt. For instance, the soil on the banks of the river provided fertile land for cultivation and settlement. Earlier, it used to flood every year. However, the Aswan High Dam now helps control the flow of the river. Here are other interesting facts about the Nile River.
Facts About Nile River
- The Nile River is the longest river on Earth which flows for about 6,650 kilometers.
- It rises south of the Equator and drains into the Mediterranean Sea.
- The name Nile is derived from the Greek Neilos, meaning a river valley.
- It flows from 11 countries including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.
- It has three main tributaries including the White Nile, Blue Nile, and Atbara out of which the White Nile is the longest.
- The ancient Egyptians called the Nile River Ar or Aur, “Black”, referring to the colour of the sediments.
- In Homer’s Odyssey, an epic poem, Aigyptos is the name of the Nile River as well as the country of Egypt through which it flows.
- In earlier times, the Nile River flooded in August and provided the Egyptians with fresh water, transportation, and a hope to grow crops.
- The Aswan Dam, built between 1960 and 1970, helped put an end to the flooding of the Nile River basin.
- It is home to different wildlife species, like birds, snakes, hippos, and above all, the famous Nile crocodiles.
- Egyptian cotton, grown along the banks of the Nile River is one of the best cotton around the world.
- Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile River led the path from life to death. Accordingly, they built the pyramids on the west side of the river. They believed that as the sun sets in the west, it is also where death lies.
- Egyptians celebrate Wafaa El-Nil, a popular Nile Flooding festival. It is observed in honour of the flooding of the river and the life and prosperity it brings to mankind.
- You can enjoy white water rafting on the Nile River during your next trip to Uganda.
- Pasquale Scaturro, an explorer once said that the Nile was not the slow and lazy river as he had made the image in his mind. Instead, it is dangerous, deadly, and full of species such as crocodiles, and hippos, and surrounded by lush jungles.
Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about the Nile River. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs.