Facts of Longest Rivers in the world - Cultural Settlements and Significance!!

Abstract

The River Nile is the longest river that is 7088 kilometres in length. It empties into the Mediterranean Sea and crosses both the Equator and Tropic Of Cancer. 

The topic ‘Major Rivers of the World’ is important for competitive exams. For exams like SSC, RRB, Bank and other Government exams the topic is covered in general awareness sections. UPSC aspirants might also encounter 1 or 2 questions related to important rivers in UPSC prelims. 

Keywords

Rivers, Facts of Longest Rivers, Nile, Amazon , Yangtze, Mississippi, Rio dela Plata, Trade, Culture, Settlement

Learning Outcomes 

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand some of the best facts of the longest rivers of the world.

Overview:

There is no secret that rivers are remarkable natural features that traverse vast distances across continents, shaping landscapes and supporting ecosystems along their courses. 

These mighty waterways play crucial roles in the regions they flow through, providing water for agriculture, transportation routes, and hydroelectric power generation. From their sources high in mountain ranges or vast plateaus, these rivers meander through diverse terrain, cutting through forests, plains, and deserts before reaching their endpoints, whether it be the ocean, sea, or another river. Throughout history, many of these rivers have been vital to the development of civilisations, serving as centres of trade, culture, and settlement. Their significance extends beyond their length, as they embody the power and beauty of nature, captivating the imagination of people around the world.

The list of 10 longest rivers in the world

River Nile.

Amazon River.

Yangtze River.

Mississippi River.

Yenisei River.

Yellow River.

Ob-Irtysh River.

Rio de la Plata.

Congo River

Amur River

Facts and Description 

Name of River	Description
1. Nile River	Location: North East Africa     Kilometres: 6,650
2. Amazon River	Location: South America Kilometres: 6,575
3. Yangtze River	Location: China Kilometres: 6300
4. Mississippi – Missouri River	Location: USA Kilometres: 6275
5. Yenisei - Angara – Selenga River	Location: Russia, Mongolia Kilometres: 5539 Miles: 3445
6. Yellow River	Location: China Kilometres: 5464
7. Ob – Irtysh River	Location: Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia Kilometres: 5410
8. Rio De La Plata	Location: South America Kilometres: 4880
9. Congo – Chambeshi River	Location: Central Africa Kilometres: 4700
10. Amur – Argun River	Location: Russia, China, Mongolia Kilometres: 4444

Important Rivers of the World – Facts

• The Congo River (former name – Zaire river) crosses the Equator twice.
• The river Limpopo crosses the Tropic of Capricorn twice.
• The river River Hwang He or the Yellow River is known as China’s sorrow.
• The river Nile begins south of the Equator, crosses the Tropic of Cancer and then empties into the sea.
• The river Amazon throughout its entire length does not have any bridges across it.
• Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar are the countries which do not have any rivers flowing through them.
• River Danube flows through 4 capital cities, Belgrade (Serbia),  Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Vienna (Austria). Also, it flows through ten countries namely Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia,  Slovakia and Ukraine.

Conclusions

Rivers have been very useful to men in all parts of the world since prehistoric times. They provide a source of drinking water, for obtaining food, to fertilize lands and way to transport goods from place to place. Rivers also provide an important habitat for wildlife. They play an essential role in the ecology of rainforest and wetlands.