Are you looking for a unique destination to celebrate a special occasion or your life accomplishment? Africa is a great option, offering spectacular wildlife and a range of natural beauty. It’s also home to The Nile River, known as one of the most famous rivers in the world. But what makes it so special? The list below identifies 4 of the top facts about the Nile River.
1. It is the longest River in the world
One of the reasons the Nile is so well-known is because of its length. Simply put, there are no other rivers on earth that are longer than this 4,132 mile-long river. It flows through a total of 11 countries- Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.
2. The River is changing
In 1970 the Aswan High Dam was completed, creating a reservoir in Southern Egypt called Lake Nasser. This dam gave humans control over the Nile’s water, which can now be released when needed and is also used to generate electricity. Other dams have also altered the way the Nile functions, with humanity changing the way it flows naturally, which is from south to north.
3. There are multiple Niles
The Nile has three main tributaries- the White Nile, Blue Nile, and Atbara. The White Nile is the longest of the three and flows steadily all year. It becomes “the Nile” in Sudan when it meets the Blue Nile, which primarily flows during the summer months. Even though the Blue Nile is most active during the summer, it supplies a whopping 60% of the Nile’s water supply. The Atbara supplies about 10%, almost all of which occurs between July and October.
4. The source of the Nile was long sought after
People spent centuries trying to find the source of the Nile, as it was seen as mysterious. The source of the Blue Nile was discovered first on an expedition, with the White Nile proving extremely difficult to track. The White Nile can be found before Lake Victoria, although not everyone agrees where it specifically begins even today.
The Nile River is one of the world’s most renowned rivers, partly due to being the longest river on earth. Aside from that, it is also shrouded in mystery.
From the changing nature of the river to its tributaries to the source, there is enough interesting information to make you want to learn more. If you have any questions or want to start planning your celebration vacation, schedule a 15-minute quick “Hello” chat.