Geographical landscape and geography of the region
The Nile River is a major river system located in Northeast Africa. It has been a major transportation route, source of food, and water for many civilizations throughout history, and is also one of the longest rivers in the world. From its source in South Sudan, the Nile flows through Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt, finally emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Surprisingly, the Nile flows north for its entire course, in contrast to other major river systems, like the Congo and the Amazon in the Americas, which flow south. So why does the Nile flow north?
Climate and atmosphere
The answer to why the Nile flows north has to do with the climate and atmosphere of Northeast Africa. The area is primarily located within the tropics, meaning most of the area experiences a hot and dry climate, with little rainfall in most places. This influences the winds of the region, which predominantly come from the northwest and direct moisture away from the area, meaning the source of the Nile River is too dry to sustain a southward flow.
History and influence of the river
The Nile has been critical for many civilizations for thousands of years. Its length and northward flow have facilitated much of the development of the region, acting as a route for transportation and a major source of food, provided by the many fertile banks of the Nile in which people farmed or built settlements. The river also sustained many rule-based societies, for example ancient Egypt, whose power derived from their ability to effectively control the river and use it to achieve political and economic stability.
Pattern of the Nile flow
The flow of the Nile is determined largely by patterns in rainfall across the region. In fact, the flow of the river is highly erratic in accordance with the precipitation levels it recieves in the South Sudan basin. Therefore, the Nile briefly flows south in short periods after intense rains. But due to the intense, hot and dry climate in the region, the northward flow of the river is often maintained, particularly when the rains are not plentiful.
Nile Valley’s terrain
The terrain of the Nile Valley also plays an important role in influencing the river’s northward flow. The terrain of the area is heavily sloped, with an elevation of hundreds of metres from the source in South Sudan, to the sea in the North, with a steep drop in the middle point of the river. This geographical set-up forces the river to flow north, due to the shape of the terrain, and the direction of the winds which are blowing from the northwest.
Other rivers in the region
Other rivers in the region, such as the Blue Nile and Atbara, which both originate in Ethiopia, also effect the flow of the Nile. These two rivers are tributaries of the Nile, and they bring extra water and sediment into the system, which helps to fuel the river’s northward flow. Without these tributaries, the Nile would lack the strength to flow continually and would struggle to reach its end point at the sea.
Damming and irrigation of the river
The damming and irrigation of the Nile has also had an impact on its northward flow. Since ancient times, communities living along the Nile have used dams and aqueducts to divert the river’s flow, and harvest its water for agriculture and other operations. These activities have reduced the river’s velocity and strength, but have not significantly impacted its flow direction.
Conclusion
It is clear that the northward flow of the Nile is largely the result of geographical, climatic and historical factors. While the river sometimes experiences brief periods of southward flow due to intense rains, these instances are not long-lasting, and the geography, climate, and history of the area have maintained the Nile’s northerly flow for thousands of years.
