The longest river in the world is a point of contention between two rivers: the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. The Nile has long laid claim as the world’s longest river. But recent research and debate have cast doubt on whether the Amazon could actually take the top place. Let’s take a look at the two rivers, their histories, and why the debate is so heated.
The Nile: World’s Longest River and Sustainer of Civilizations
The general wisdom, of course, is that the Nile River is the longest river on earth at nearly 4,135 miles (6,650 kilometers). It runs north through northeastern Africa and out to the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is well known for the cradle of Ancient Egyptian civilization, providing water, transportation and fertile soil for agriculture. Its basin stretches across parts of Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The river split into two powerful tributaries, the White Nile, starting from Lake Victoria, and the other, the Blue Nile, beginning at the Lake Tana in Ethiopia. These two branches join in Khartoum, Sudan, to create the mighty Nile. Evidence of settlements on its banks dates back thousands of years as the river has been central to the development of human civilization.
The True Giant, the Amazon River?
More recently, the Amazon River has been drawing attention as a potential rival to the Nile’s record in decades past. The Amazon passes through South America, notably Brazil, but also other nations (Peru; Colombia; Ecuador; and Venezuela). The river alone stretches nearly 4,345 miles (7,062 kilometers) long, longer than the Nile by some accounts. But is that the source of the river, the trouble comes in determining the exact source of the Amazon as the river has over 1,000 tributaries, some of which are tricky to pinpoint exactly.
The Amazon River is unarguably the largest river by discharge in the world; no river carries more water. It drains some 2.7 million square miles (7 million square kilometers), or about one-fifth of the world’s total river flow. The Amazon River is the lifeblood of the biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, sometimes called the “lungs of the Earth.” It is a hugely biodiverse area, home to thousands of species of plants, animals and fish, many little known and still being discovered.
The Debate: Nile or Amazon?
So, which is the longest river? The argument is mainly a matter of definitions and methods of measurement. The Nile’s length has been known since the days of mapping—the once common practice of historical travelers and geographers. But recent expeditions probing the Amazon’s tributaries have prompted some scientists to argue that its source lies farther upstream than had been believed, making the Amazon the longest river.
There are a number of reasons why it is difficult to establish which river has the right to the title. For one thing, the Amazon has many tributaries, and the definition of its “source” can depend on where you consider the river to begin. Unlike the Nile, whose source is widely thought to be Lake Victoria, making its length easier to establish.
Additionally, the Amazon is world famous for having such an impressive volume of flow and for the massive area that its watershed encompasses. Regardless of if it is the longest or not, the Amazon is one truly massive, essential river — and it enters our world with a truck load of water.
The Importance of Both Rivers
Whichever river is indeed the longest, however, both the Nile and the Amazon are lifeblood to the countries they run through. Egyptian civilization spent years closest to the Nile, which is a crucial river to irrigate dry land and grow crops. It remains critical for irrigation, transport and even energy generation today.
The Amazon, for its part, is just as important for preserving the ecological balance of our planet. The rainforest it nourishes is one of the most biodiverse locations on the planet, with millions of species of plants, animals and insects — many of them yet unnamed. Saving the Amazon is important in battling climate change because the rainforest’s trees absorb huge volumes of carbon dioxide.
Conclusion
The debate over which one is longer will continue, but both the Nile and the Amazon are crucial to the health of their regions and the planet overall. These rivers — from the Nile, with its ancient history and cultural importance, to the Amazon and its incredible volume and ecology — are still natural marvels deserving of our respect and protection.
After all, it’s not just a question of numbers; the lengths of these watercourses speak volumes about their profound impact — both historical and ongoing — on human societies, wildlife and the environment.