What is the longest river in the world?

The Nile River is often recognized as the longest river in the world, measuring about 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles). It flows through northeastern Africa, primarily through countries like Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has historical significance as it was central to the development of ancient Egyptian civilization, providing water, transport, and fertile soil for agriculture.

While the Amazon River is frequently cited for its massive water discharge and some recent studies have suggested it could be longer when considering certain tributaries, the traditional measurement and consensus place the Nile as the longest. The Yangtze River, primarily flowing through China, and the Mississippi River, which flows through the United States, are shorter than both the Nile and the Amazon. Thus, the Nile holds its place as the longest river based on the most widely accepted measurements.