Geologically, the Nile is a young river, having followed its present course for about 15,000 years. Its drainage basin extends across eleven countries. Most of the water in the Nile comes from rainfall in the upstream countries Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Nile River, the longest river in the world, called the father of African rivers. It rises south of the Equator and flows northward through northeastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile River flows over 6,800 kilometers (4,000 miles) before 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.

In the heart of northeastern Africa, stretching more than 6,600 kilometers from its distant sources to the Mediterranean Sea, flows the Nile River—the world’s longest river and one of humanity’s most influential waterways.

Discover the Nile River – its map, source, and 6,650 km journey through Africa to Egypt. Learn its rich history, importance, and lasting cultural impact.

The River Nile, known as the father of the African River, is Africa and the world’s longest river, stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers from its sources (Blue and White Nile) to the mouth at the Mediterranean Sea.

Learn about the world's longest river in our Nile river facts! How long is the Nile? Where does the Nile start? Why is this famous river so important?

What is the Nile River? The Nile River is the longest watercourse in Africa at about 4,130 miles (6,650 km), and the world’s second-largest after the Amazon River. It flows through the territory of eleven countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea at the so-called Nile Delta.

The basin of the present-day Nile falls naturally into seven major regions: the Lake Plateau of East Africa, the Al-Jabal (El-Jebel), the White Nile, the Blue Nile, the Atbara, the Nile north of Khartoum in Sudan and Egypt, and the Nile delta.

It is the longest river on Earth (estimated as 6,682 km or 4,152 miles), though other rivers carry more water. Its longest section starts in Lake Victoria, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Alexandria.