Introduction
The Nile River Valley is an iconic part of Africa’s history, culture, and natural beauty. The river provides an essential lifeline to hundreds of millions of people in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. But where is the Nile River Valley exactly located?
Geographical Location
The Nile River Valley stretches 4,145 miles and spans nine different countries. It begins in East Africa’s Great Lakes region and flows northeast until it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. This vast search area of the Nile is known as the Northeastern African Plateau and covers parts of Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Egypt.
It is believed the source of the White Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River, is a small stream called Rutovu near Lake Victoria in Uganda. The Blue Nile, another tributary, begins in Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The rivers merge in Sudan to form the main Nile which bisects Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
History and Culture
For centuries, the Nile River Valley has been the site of great civilizations, many of which are renowned world-wide. It may come as no surprise that this part of the world has a rich history due to the river’s impressive geography, the sometimes harsh climate, and its access to highly valuable resources. These elements led to the development of some of the earliest cities in Africa.
The first empires to grow in the Nile River Valley include the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. It wasn’t until much later that the Kingdom of Egypt began to form, becoming one of the most influential powers in not only the Nile Valley but across the globe. Major archaeological sites remain throughout the area, such as Luxor and Abu Simbel, homes of stunning monuments and temples built during Ancient Egyptian reign.
Today, many countries in and around the Nile River Valley have cultures shaped by the countless civilisations that once thrived there. The diversity of the population is seen throughout the region, from dress to language. Music, food and religion are unique, interwoven aspects of everyday life which still attribute to the thousands of years of history.
Agriculture and Natural Beauty
The Nile River Valley is known for its vast agricultural lands, lush green landscapes, and abundance of wildlife. Throughout its course, cities, villages and settlements line its banks and depend on the river for farming and fishing. Also, many of the traditional clay homes of the region are interspersed with banana and papyrus plantations.
The Nile River Valley is also home to a wide range of spectacular wildlife, such as aquatic and migratory birds, water buffalo, hippos, and more. This wide variety of flora and fauna make the area truly breathtaking. As the sun rises and sets over this respite of nature, the culture-rich region can feel a world away from the buzzing cities in the distance.
Environmental Impact
The development and growth of the nations in the Nile River Valley increases the demand on the river itself. A change in the quantity and quality of the waters can be attributed to foreign and domestic pollution from factories and privatized water systems, not to mention the increasing fertilization of agricultural lands.
The effects of climate change has also had a significant impact on the region, with increases in drought, floods and storms. These changes have destroyed crops and displaced thousands of people. Moreover, the pollution of the Nile River has had direct negative impacts on its many species, endangering them both directly and indirectly.
There is still much work to be done in order to reduce the detrimental impacts of pollution, improve residential access to clean water, and preserve the beauty and authenticity of the Nile.
Water Usage and Resources
In the modern day many countries in and around the Nile River Valley have to balance its utilization for domestic usage as well as industry. Poor water management and lack of regulation is increasingly becoming an issue throughout the region, particularly in Egypt.
In Egypt, the main source of irrigation is from the High Aswan Dam, which was built in the 1960’s as a response to Egypt’s rapid population growth. The construction of the dam however has slowed down the current of the river, reduced the water’s fertility, and caused large sandbars to form along the edges of irrigation canals. This has resulted in crop failure, especially within the upstream countries.
The tragedy of these issues have been further heightened with the building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which can divert 84% of the river’s water to Ethiopia. It is believed that this could badly affect the water supply of countries downstream, as well as leading to an increase in water salinity and contention over fishing rights.
Political Issues on Nile River Valley
The political issues of the Nile River Valley is complex and ongoing. In 1959, the Nile Basin Initiative was established in order to foster cooperation between the nine countries about how to best manage the world’s longest river. However, since then, issues such as water sharing and ownership has caused disagreements between nations, especially between Egypt and Ethiopia.
The 1920s Egyptian-Sudanese Agreement stated that Egypt owned the entirety of the Nile’s water, however, Ethiopia and other countries dispute this agreement. In the 2000’s, Ethiopia threatened to construct the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, raising tensions with Egypt and Sudan. This is only one example of the contention that could arise in the years to come regarding the river’s resources.
Recent Challenges
The most recent challenges faced by the Nile River Valley include domestic and foreign conflicts. Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia have all been involved in political crises and civil wars. More recently, Egypt has dealt with the overthrow of its government in 2011, making it difficult for the countries of the region to remain united and cooperate.
The Nile River Valley is no stranger to the devastating effects of violence, war and civil unrest, and many of the areas bordering the Nile have suffered from social, political, and economic destruction. With ongoing civil war, drought, water shortage, and limited access to healthcare, the area must continue to battle militarization, poverty, and gender discrimination.
Conclusion
The Nile River Valley is a special example of both beautiful nature and unique culture. It is home to some of the oldest and most iconic civilizations recorded in history and continues to be a hub of culture to this day. Despite the challenges the countries in the region continues to face, it is evident that there is still much to appreciate and protect.
