There is much debate about what is the longest river in the world. Most experts agree that the Nile is the longest river on Earth and the Amazon the mightiest. Others, however, give the Amazon the title of the longest and mightiest river in the world. The controversy arises from some parameters.
In this article we are going to tell you which is the longest river in the world, its characteristics and importance.
What is the longest river in the world
The Nile River has earned the title of being the longest river in the world. It is located on the African continent and its approximate length is about 6,650 kilometers.
The Nile is a historically significant river as it has witnessed several ancient civilizations and has played a crucial role in the development of humanity. Along its course, it passes through several countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Nile has two main sources: the White Nile, which is born in Lake Victoria in Uganda, and the Blue Nile, whose main source is Lake Tana in Ethiopia. These two currents meet in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and then continue their journey north to empty into the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
Along its banks, the Nile has been a vital axis for the life and trade of local populations, providing water for agriculture and the development of civilizations. In addition, the river has left an impressive cultural legacy, with numerous monuments and archaeological sites dating back to antiquity.
How to determine which is the longest river in the world
Calculating the length of a river is an extremely complex task, even for professional hydrographic mappers. The length of a river is measured by identifying an estuary, the precise location where a river begins to become another river, a sea, or an ocean tributary, and the scale of measurement used.
Officially, the Nile is 6.650 kilometers long and the Amazon is 6.400 kilometers long. This should mean that the Nile is the longest river on Earth. However, a few years ago, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics published a survey confirming that the Amazon River is the longest river in the world, as well as the mightiest. In the end, the scientists concluded that its total length was 6.800 kilometers, compared to the Nile's total length of 6.650 kilometers.
Facts about the Nile and the Amazon
The Nile River originates in western Tanzania. In some cases, its source is in Lake Victoria, but the lake is fed by other rivers. In this way, we can be sure that the main source of the Nile is the Kagera River. Finally, the river flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming the great Nile Delta.
Regarding the Amazon River, It is considered a wonder of the natural world and is traditionally believed to have been born in the Apacheta Canyon. Specifically, on the slopes of Nevado Qehuisha in Arequipa (Peru), where the Apacheta River flows.
However, we will delve into that later. Finally, the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. His mouth is a unique place in nature due to its palpable size. When the water is high, the river can be up to 482 miles wide.
The Amazon River basin covers approximately 40% of the South American continent. Interestingly, the Amazon rainforest is about the size of the continental United States, and the river itself is the largest river on Earth. Its flow is eleven times greater than that of the Mississippi River.
On the other hand, the Amazon River is the river with the highest water flow in the world. The potential of this river is amazing as it discharges up to 12,54 million cubic meters of water per minute.. With that amount, enough hydroelectric power would be generated daily to power New York City for nine years. There is no doubt that the potential of this river is enormous.
Study of the lengths of the Nile and Amazon rivers
The group of scientists traveled to Peru, one of the countries that crosses the Amazon along with Brazil and Colombia. They concluded that the source of the river was somewhere in southern Peru. And not in the north as until now it was thought. It took scientists 14 days to determine an altitude of about 5.000 meters above sea level. Until now, the source of the river has been set at Torre Apache Quebrada next to Nevado Mismi.
After analyzing the results of the expedition, it remains to be seen if the international community will finally grant the Amazon the title of longest river on Earth.
Biodiversity and importance
The river is not only important because of its length. By having so much flow, it is home to unique ecosystems with great biodiversity. The Amazon region is one of the richest areas of biodiversity on the planet and spans several countries in South America, including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
It is estimated that approximately 10% of all known species in the world inhabit this region.. In addition, it is believed that there are still many species unknown to science, which makes the Amazon an invaluable treasure in terms of biodiversity.
As for flora, the Amazon has an astonishing variety of trees, plants, and flowers. It is estimated that there are around 390 different species of plants in the region, many of which are endemic, that is, they are found exclusively in this ecosystem.
As for fauna, the Amazon is home to an incredible diversity of animals. Among the best known species are the jaguar, the puma, the ocelot, the tapir, the pink dolphin, the anaconda and a great variety of monkeys and exotic birds such as the macaw and the toucan.
The biodiversity of the Amazon is also vital to the global ecological balance. The jungle acts as a lung of the planet, since it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. In addition, the Amazon ecosystem is essential for the water cycle, climate regulation, and soil conservation.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the longest river in the world and its characteristics.