What Direction Does the Nile River Flow?

What Direction Does the Nile River Flow?

One of the largest rivers in the world is the Nile River, and it is the longest one in Africa. When people look at a map of the river, they believe that this river’s headwaters are in the Mediterranean Sea. However, that’s not the case because the Nile River doesn’t flow south. Now the question arises: In what direction does the Nile River flow? We’ll answer this question and others about the origin of this famous river.

What direction does the Nile River flow?

The Nile River flows north from its source. This river flows more than 4,100 miles to the Mediterranean Sea, where the Nile Delta is found. For thousands of years, it has been crucial for life in Africa. Its ability to support people in a tough environment helped ancient Egypt become a powerful civilization.

Now that we are aware that the Nile River flows from South to North, we can explore where the river starts and see interesting journey this river takes.

How many countries does the river Nile flow through?

The Nile River flows more than 4,000 miles from start to finish. The water’s course is quite complex, and there is still some uncertainty about its true source, despite several expeditions over the years. The river flows through 11 different countries throughout the northeastern part of Africa. The Nile River flows through:

1. Burundi
2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
3. Egypt
4. Ethiopia
5. Kenya
6. South Sudan
7. Sudan
8. Rwanda
9. Tanzania
10. Uganda
11. Eritrea

The river flows through these countries to some extent. Some of them are areas that have small tributaries, while others host the largest sources of the Nile River. If you are looking to enjoy the beauty of the Nile River, you can book a Nile Cruise through one of the best Nile Cruise Companies, like Nile Cruisen.

What Are the Tributaries of the Nile River?

Now that you know what direction does the Nile River flow in, now, we should know the two main tributaries of the Nile River, which include the Blue Nile and the White Nile. The White Nile is above 2,000 miles long, but it contributes far less water to the Nile River than the Blue Nile.

The White Nile begins at the Kagera River, a body of water that flows through parts of Rwanda and Burundi before feeding into Lake Victoria. Starting from Lake Victoria, the river flows through Uganda and into Lake Albert, then continues north through South Sudan and Sudan. In Sudan, the White Nile joins the Blue Nile.

The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia, and the Lesser Abay River feeds that lake. The Blue Nile flows south from Lake Tana, then heads west before turning northwest in Sudan. During the rainy season, it can contribute up to 80% of the Nile River’s total water flow.

Why Does the Nile River Flow North?

The Nile River flows North from South for the same reasons that any other river flows: the Northern part of the continent is lower in elevation than the Southern part. The White Nile starts around Lake Victoria, which is located at an elevation of 3,700 ft above sea level.

The origin of the Blue Nile is found in Lake Tana, an area situated in a mountainous region. The river outflows near Cairo, a city 75 ft above sea level. The large change in elevation from south to north helps the water flow northward. However, if you look at a map of the Nile and its tributaries, you can see that the river turns several times as it winds around mountains.

Conclusion

In the end, the Nile River is a very important and large body of water. Understanding where it starts and how it flows can help clear up some common myths about rivers, especially the Nile itself. You can enjoy your vacation on a Nile Cruise by booking with Nile Cruisen. Before booking a Nile Cruise, you can also check our Nile cruise reviews.