Top 8 Longest Rivers in the World
So let’s have a look at the longest rivers in the world;
1. Nile River
The Nile is the longest river in the world, stretching for 4132 miles (6650 km) in length. The Nile River travels through 11 African nations before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea: Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, and South Sudan. Nile river is the lifeline of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan, providing water for irrigation and hydroelectric power. The Nile has two major tributaries- White Nile and Blue Nile, and both meet at Khartoum in Sudan. The Nile river played an important role in the development of ancient Egyptian civilization.
2. Amazon River
Amazon is the second-longest river in the world, stretching for 4000 miles (6438 km) in length. Amazon flows in South America through Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil before draining into the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, Amazon is also the largest river in the world in terms of water discharge (cubic feet per second). The Amazon rainforest, which covers the majority of the Amazon river’s basin, is the richest tropical forest in the world in terms of biodiversity. Interestingly, the waters of the Amazon are populated by rich flora and fauna, with more than 2500 different species of fish.
3. Yangtze River
The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world and the longest river in Asia. It stretches for about 3915 miles (6300 km) and flows completely in China. In addition, the Yangtze is also the longest river in the world to flow entirely within one country. Yangtze river is China’s most important water system, historically, culturally and economically. Its banks are home to more than 400 million people or around one-third of China’s population. The Three Gorges Dam, constructed on the Yangtze river, is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Some of the important cities along the banks of the Yangtze are Shanghai and Wuhan.
4. Mississippi River
The Mississippi-Missouri river system is the fourth-longest river in the world, stretching for about 3710 miles (5970 km). Mississippi is also the third longest river in North America, originating from Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota (USA) and draining into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi river is one of the most iconic waterways of North America, and an environmental haven having a diversity of habitats. Many important ports and cities such as St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans are located along the banks of the Mississippi River.
5. Yenisei River
The Yenisei river is the fifth-longest river in the world, stretching for 3443 miles (5540 km) in length. It originates in Mongolia and passes through Lake Baikal in Russia before draining into the Kara Sea part of the Arctic Ocean. This makes the Yenisei the largest river to drain into the Arctic Ocean. The Yenisei is an important river system and provides power, transportation, food, and more to more than a million people. Yenisei is also one of the most important rivers in Siberia.
6. Yellow River
The Yellow River, also known as ‘Huang He’ in Chinese, is the sixth-longest river in the world, and the second-longest in China. The yellow river stretches for about 3395 miles (5464 km). The river originates in the Bayankala mountains in western China, flows through nine provinces of China, and empties into the Bohai sea. Yellow river is known for its heavy sediment load, which has caused frequent floods throughout history. Because of the silt and sediments, which give the river a yellow-brown colour, it is called a “yellow” river. Yellow river is also called the “Mother river of China”, as the river is believed to be the cradle of Chinese Civilization and the spiritual home of Chinese people.
7. Ob River
Ob River, also known as the Ob-Irtysh river system, is the seventh-longest river in the world, stretching for 3364 miles (5413 km) in Russia. Ob river originates in the Altai mountains and drains into the Arctic Ocean. Ob river is an important river in Russia, used mostly for irrigation, drinking water, hydroelectric energy, and fishing. Ob River passes through some of the most remote areas of the world and is an important source of water for agriculture and industry.
8. Parana River
Parana river is the eighth-longest river in the world and the second-longest river in South America. It stretches for about 3032 miles (4879 km), passing through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Parana river also forms the border between Paraguay and Argentina. Parana river is an important transportation hub and a major source of hydroelectric power.
