The Great Nile River, Nahr Al-Nīl, the longest river, is the father of the African river. It begins at lake victoria and flows north through northeast Africa.
It ends its journey into the Mediterranean Sea. Its length includes an area of approximately 4,132 miles. Its basins have the cultivated parts of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
It includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The Kagera River of Burundi is the most distant source of this great wonder.
The origin of word the Nile comes from the Greek Neilos, derived from the Semitic root Nahal. It means a valley or river valley and, thus, by an extension of meaning, a river.
9 Facts about The Great Nile River
People worldwide are curious to know about this natural wonder of Africa. So we have decided to fulfill the curiosity about this natural wonder in this article.
1. It is An Ancient River
You will find its existence of it as far back as 3000 BC. Ancient people have done a quality amount of farming along the banks of this river.
They settled on the riverbanks and first used agriculture and plowing. The soil of the Nile delta between El Qâhira (Cairo) and the Mediterranean is rich in nutrients.
You will find it in the archaeological data. Furthermore, this vast natural wonder has the entirety of ancient Egyptian culture. This natural wonder contains a rich history.
The ancient Egyptians called this great wonder Ar or Aur River. It means black, indicating the color of the silt carried by the river during the flood.
The mud of this great wonder is black enough to give the bank its ancient famous name, Kem or Kemi. It means “black” and darkness.
Egyptians developed irrigation systems to increase the amount of available land for crops. They did it to support the large and progressing population.
Beans, wheat, cotton, and flax were vital and plentiful crops that people could store and trade. The Nile delta was an ideal growing position for papyrus plants.
The ancient Egyptians used the papyrus tree in many ways. They used it to make cloth, boxes, and ropes, but its most important use was in making paper.
The early Egyptians used this water source for bathing, drinking, recreation, and transportation. They utilized natural resources and did business with others with the river.
2. Ancient Egyptians Considered It As Sacred
This natural wonder of Africa played a significant role in the lives of ancient Egyptians. They used its water levels to plan their calendar.
They used to count their years beginning when the river flooded. It was a source of life for the ancient people of Egypt because they farmed there.
The crocodiles of the Nile were also honored. Ancient considered them as a manifestation of a god. A crocodile was in a temple adorned with jewelry.
3. Ancient Egyptians Believed It Led to The Afterlife
This wonder was a part of Egyptian spiritual life, without any doubt. They believed that it was the medium between life and death. So they built all tombs on the west side for this reason.
People considered the west bank the place of death since the sunset in the west. They also believed the east to be the place of their birth.
4. It Led to Human Development Along Its Banks
The ever-flowing water source of Africa led to permanent human settlements along its banks. The first human settlers moved along its banks around 6000 BCE.
The culture made it rich and complex with the growing population. Egypt was the most dominant nation, without any doubt. It was for more than 3000 years along the Mediterranean Sea.
Today, Egypt is home to more than 50 million people, and a part of the population lives along the Nile. The canals bring water from this water source to support cities and irrigate farms.
5. Many Languages
This water source flows through several different regions. It is home to many indigenous people, and they speak various languages.
For example, the people of South Sudan speak Nilotic, and the people near Lake Victoria use Bantu. But the people living near the Sahara speak Arabic.
6. The Great Nile is one of The Tourist Attractions
It is a much-loved tourist destination for people visiting this ancient land. Today, some residents of Cairo have started using private speedboats. It has water taxis and ferries to avoid overcrowded roads.
Several boat cruises take people on a tour of this great river. If you have decided to visit Egypt in the future, you can take this chance to explore the Nile.
7. The Annual Floods Make The Banks Fertile
Every year the Nile faces floods. But the local communities that live by its banks welcome this flood. It keeps the soil along the river fertile and perfect for farming.
It is a blessing for Egypt, without any doubt. Egypt was able to develop itself in agriculture through this process. Everyone knows it as one of the best silt deposits in the world.
It has a significant contribution to the civilization of Egypt. This black deposit made the people call it the Black River.
Some Special Facts About This Place
In Sudan and Egypt, this great river is now called Al-Nil, Al-Bahr, and Bahr Al-Nil or Nahr Al-Nil. It served as a platform for the evolution and decay of civilizations of the ancient world.
The Nile left behind large sediments as it flowed toward the sea. There is also rich soil along its vast plains along the banks of the Nile. It is the gift of the annual flood that accumulates silt.
Nearly 95 percent of Egyptians live within a few kilometers of this great river. The canals bring water from the great Nile River to support cities and irrigate farms.
The Nile is a great supporter of agriculture and fishing. There was a high necessity for floods to flush and clean water and dirty waste of humans.
The great Nile continues to be an important trade route. It connects Africa with markets in Europe and other parts of the world.
Cruise on The Nile River in Egypt
Cruising on the Nile River in Egypt can give a memorable experience. People from European countries and the United States visit Egypt to experience it.
Visitors can enjoy many things on a Nile cruise. They can visit ancient temples and monuments. This river cruise is a great way to enjoy the best places in the African country of Egypt.
It is one of the relaxing and educational ways to explore Egypt, without any doubt. Many people love to explore the country of Egypt in this way.
Many famous ships offer this experience to visitors. The Oberoi Philae and the Sonesta Nile Goddess are mentionable of these ships.
A traditional Egyptian sailboat named Dahabiya also offers this experience to visitors. These types of sailboats have a small number of cabins for the visitor.
Conclusion
The Great Nile in the African continent is so beautiful. Many people like to enjoy its majestic view. In Aswan city of Egypt, you can see the desert right on the side of this wonder.
Many people sell Nile cruises for 30 minutes or 1 hour in Egypt. This wonder of nature is a kind of blessing from God to the Egyptian people. Every aspect of their life depended on it.
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