The veins and arteries of our planet are rivers. It is not surprising that our rivers and waterways have a significant impact on the lives of people, animals, and ecosystems given that more than 70% of the globe is made up of water. Rivers that are made of fresh water can be used for transportation, habitats, irrigation, and even as power sources. The ten longest rivers and river systems in the world are shown below.
1. Nile River - 6,650 Km
The Nile is the world's longest river, stretching for over 6,650 kilometers. It passes through many nations, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Egypt, as well as a significant chunk of the African continent. The two largest tributaries of the Nile that feed into this river, which flows south and eventually empties into the Mediterranean Sea, are the Blue Nile and the White Nile. A significant source of water and transportation is the Nile. The Nile's waters are home to a number of wildlife, including hippopotami, Nile crocodiles, and other creatures that depend on the river for freshwater, in addition to supporting about 40% of Kenya's population.
2. Amazon River - 6,400 Km
With a length of 6,400 kilometers, the Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world. Given how close in length it is to the Nile, some statistics indicate that it may even be longer. It has the greatest volume or discharge volume of any river in the entire planet. In fact, the Amazon is so huge that it has tributaries on two of the following greatest rivers (by volume). The river drains into the Atlantic Ocean after flowing through Brazil, Peru, and Colombia in South America. The amazon rainforest, which is located in the region close to the river, is renowned for its high level of biological diversity. The trees along the river banks are home to numerous species, but the waters are also abundant. The Amazon region is home to about one-third of all known species in the world. The waters of the river are home to thousands of fish species, unique Amazon river dolphins, otters, manatees, and anacondas, among other well-known reptile species.
3. Yangtze River - 6,300 Km
The Yangtze River in China is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest river in the world, measuring 6,300 kilometers. A large portion of China is traversed by the river as it empties into the East China Sea in an easterly direction. A significant water source for China, the Yangtze has a drainage basin that is home to around one-third of the nation's inhabitants. Along its banks, 400 million people reside. The river has been important throughout time and is crucial to China. The river serves as a de facto border between North and South China as well. It has been important during times of war and has been used for agriculture, transportation, and drinking water. The Three Gorges Dam is currently the greatest power source on earth.
4. Mississippi River - 6270 Km
The Mississippi-Missouri River System spans 6270 kilometers across the southern United States. Despite being the two longest rivers in the country, the Territory and Mississippi are frequently regarded as one large river or river system due to their interconnection. The Mississippi River is home to a wide variety of species and has historically been a significant source of transportation. In particular, the Mississippi Delta has a variety of ecosystems, from cyprus trees to marshes and sandy beaches. Waterfowl, both migratory and year-round, as well as various mammals and reptiles including alligators, turtles, and a variety of fish species call these places home.
5. Yenisei - Angara - Selenga River - 5,500 Km
The Yenisei River is the fifth-longest river in the world with a length of 5,550 kilometers. A number of rivers make up this system, which flows across Russia and Mongolia before emptying into the Arctic Ocean. Despite not being exceptionally deep, the river empties into Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake in the world. The Yenesei is home to a variety of fish, and the banks are an important habitat for migratory reindeer, including the Aimyr herd, the biggest tundra herd in the world. Unfortunately, it is thought that radioactive discharge from a covert bomb-making site has contaminated the river system.
6. Yellow River - 5,464 Km
The second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest river in the world is the Yellow River, commonly referred to as the Huang He or Huang River. It is roughly 5,464 kilometers long. From the western state of Qinghai to the Bohai Sea near Dongying, the river traverses nine distinct Chinese provinces. Due to the fact that it served as the location of important early Chinese villages, the Yellow River is significant historically. Significant flooding episodes have been known to occur along the river, which has altered its flow over history. Currently, the river is home to a number of significant hydroelectric dams and power plants, as well as about 160 different fish species.
7. Ob - Irtysh - 5,410 Km
The length of the Ob River, which flows across a large portion of Russia before draining into the Arctic Ocean, is approximately 5,410 kilometers. Novosibirsk, the third-largest city in Russia, is situated along the river's banks, and it is also where the renowned trans-Siberian Railroad crosses the waterway. Both geographically and industrially, the Ob is important to Russia and Siberia. The river serves as a source of irrigation water, drinking water, and hydroelectric power for a number of power plants, including Novosibirskaya GES. The river is a significant location for fishing for food and has more than 50 different species of fish.
8. Rio De La Plata - 4,880 Km
The Rio de la Plata, with 4,880 kilometers, is the eighth-longest river in the world. This river, which includes the Rio Grande and the Parana, flows through Argentina and Uruguay. It is also the world's broadest river, with its eastern terminus opening into a bay-like region. Along the banks of the river are a number of significant cities, including the nation's capital, Buenos Aires. The river also has a number of islands that are owned by Uruguay. The river is notable for being an estuary, receiving both freshwater from the Uruguay and Parana rivers and saltwater from the briny ocean tides and currents. As a result, the river serves as a habitat for numerous marine species, including the endangered Ls Plata and the green, turtles, and leatherback sea turtles.
9. Congo River - 4,700 Km
The Congo, also known as the Zaire River, is the second-longest and second-largest river in Africa in terms of flow volume. It is also the deepest known river in recorded history, having a maximum depth of 220 meters. The 4,700-kilometer-long Congo River is actually made up of the Congo Lualaba and Chambeshi Rivers. Before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, the river travels through a large portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and twice crosses the equator. The river is the most potent river in Africa with a seasonal discharge of about 50,000 cubic meters. About 40 different hydropower stations in the Congo Basin use this power.
10. Amur River - 4,444 Km
The Amur River, which is roughly 4,444 kilometers long, is the tenth-longest river in the world. The river, which empties into the Sea of Okhotsk, the Pacific Ocean, and the Strait of Tartary, serves as a natural boundary between northeastern China and the Russian Far East. The Amur softshell turtle and other fish species are among the many wildlife that call the river home. Numerous of them are larger predatory fish, including the enormous kaluga, which has been reported to grow to lengths of over 5.5 meters, the Amur pike, northern snakehead, and carp.
Each of these rivers has been important both historically and currently. These rivers serve as the natural world's highways for hydropower, irrigation, and development. Each of these freshwater rivers has contributed to the social and literal structuring of the terrain that surrounds it and through which it flows, as well as the shaping of human industry and civilization.
