River Nile is the world’s longest river. It supplies water to 11 countries but it is the main water source for two countries: Egypt and Sudan. That is why it is also called ‘International River’. There are two tributaries of River Nile. These are Blue Nile and White Nile. The mouth of this river is at the Mediterranean Sea. Now let’s take a look at some other River Nile facts for kids.
A Quick Guide To River Nile Facts For Kids
Length: 6,853 kilometers
Width: 2.8 kilometers
River Nile as water source: 11 countries
Two tributaries: White Nile and Blue Nile
Main Source: White Nile
Height of White Nile: 2,700 meters
Secondary Source: Blue Nile
River Mouth: Mediterranean Sea
Basic River Nile Facts For Kids
- The longest river of the world is River Nile.
- The Nile River is divided into two channels (branches) in the city of Egypt named Cairo. One branch is called Rosetta branch and it is toward the western side. The second branch is called Damietta branch and it is toward the eastern side.
- This river supplies water to 11 countries. That is why it is generally known as ‘International’ river.
- The two countries that enjoy most of its waters are Egypt and the north of Sudan.
- River Nile has two most important streams called tributaries. These are named as Blue Nile and White Nile.
- The two tributaries join together in the city of Khartoum. Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.
- The White Nile begins from East Africa.
- The Blue Nile makes a start in Ethiopia.
- Almost 10 percent of the total size of Africa is hidden by the drainage basin of this river.
- Gish Abay is the source of River Nile. Previously, it was thought that Lake Victoria was the source of Nile River.
- The water of the Nile flowing toward the southern part of Sudan is known as Bahr al Jabal which means ‘Mountain River’.
- Bahr al Jabal is also known as White Nile because the water of Bahr al Jabal comes from White Nile.
- Bahr al Jabal meets Bahr al Ghazal in a small lake known as ‘Lake No’.
- Bahr al Jabal is also known as Al Sudd.
- The word ‘Bahr al Jabal’ means ‘Mountain River’.
- After Lake No, the water of the River Nile is called as Bahr al Abyad.
- More than 50 percent of the water of the River Nile evaporates in Al Sudd.
- The White Nile meets with Sobat River in the city of Sudan called Malakal.
- In Malakal, the rate of average water flow of White Nile is just about 924 m3/s.
- There is a city in South Sudan named as Renk. White Nile enters Sudan in this region and then it is joined by Blue Nile in the city of Khartoum.
- The people of Egypt used to celebrate the ‘flooding of River Nile’ every year. This celebration lasted for about 14 days starting from August 15 and is also called Wafaa El-Nil in Arabic. However after Aswan Dam was completed in 1970, the flooding of Nile no longer occurs in Egypt.
- River Nile joins Atbarah River in the north of Sudan’s city named Atbara. Atbarah is the last branch of Nile because after this, Nile goes into the Mediterranean Sea. This 800-km-long Atbarah river begins in Ethiopia.
- River Nile is the most important river giving birth to ancient civilization of Egypt. There were three cycles of Nile and the ancient people of Egypt even set their calendar according to these three seasons. The names of these three were Akhet, Peret and Shemu. Every season consisted of 4-month-cycle.
More River Nile Facts For Kids
- There are 6 cataracts of the Nile River. Cataracts are basically those lengths of water that are not deep and consist of many big rocks, sticking out of the water. These six cataracts start from Aswan and end at Khartoum.
- The 6 cataracts of Nile are called ‘Great Bend’.
- Almost 90 percent of the water of Nile begins in Ethiopia.
- The White Nile has two main branches. These are Sobat River and Bahr al Ghazal.
Did you really find these river Nile facts for kids helpful? Is it what you’re looking for? Please comment and help us improving this article.Thanks for reading it!