{"id":14183,"date":"2023-10-07T15:25:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T14:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=14183"},"modified":"2023-10-07T15:25:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T14:25:02","slug":"what-desert-does-the-nile-river-run-through","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-desert-does-the-nile-river-run-through\/","title":{"rendered":"What Desert Does The Nile River Run Through"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Location and Origin of the Nile River<\/h2>\n

The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching 4,180 miles in length. It traverses through the northeastern region of Africa and travels from the Mountains of The Moon in the Great Lakes region to the Mediterranean Sea. It has its origins in the Ethiopian Highlands and travels through the deserts of Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Along its course, the Nile River supplies water to an astonishing 11 countries.
\nThe Nile River is divided into two branches, namely the White Nile and the Blue Nile. While the White Nile begins in Burundi and flows northward, the Blue Nile starts in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan. The two rivers merge together in Khartoum and then make its way towards the Mediterranean Sea. The river acts as a great life-giver to the desert, providing vital sustenance to millions of people living alongside its banks. <\/p>\n

What Desert Does the Nile River Run Through?<\/h2>\n

The Nile River runs through the Eastern Desert, also known as the Arabian Desert. Stretching from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt to the Arabian Sea in the Middle East, the desert covers an area of 315,000 square miles and includes nine nations: Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
\nThe Eastern Desert is composed of magnificent mountains, plains, and sand dunes. It is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural spectacles such as hot springs, sea caves, and oasis. Many species of birds, and animals, along with countless archaeological sites, can be found in the desert.
\nApart from providing essential water resources to inhabitants, the Nile River also has a significant role to play in flushing pollutants and agricultural run-off from downstream countries. According to experts, pollutants from Egypt and Sudan can travel several thousands of miles in the river before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. <\/p>\n

The Original Source of the Nile<\/h2>\n

Popular among many historians is the notion that the source of the Nile is the Mountains of the Moon. According to the Ancient Greek geographer and historian Ptolemy, the Mountains are located at the headwaters of the Nile River The Mountains of the Moon, also known as the Ruwenzori Range is located in east-central Africa and lies on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. The range consists of six main summits, the highest of which is known as Mount Stanley at a height of 5,109 metres.
\nThe Mountains of the Moon receive a great deal of rainfall, and much of this falls as snow, which is then melted by the sun and fed into the surrounding rivers and streams. This melted snow then flows into the Nile and is ultimately carried to the Mediterranean Sea.<\/p>\n

Economic Impact of the Nile River<\/h2>\n

The Nile River is of paramount importance to Egypt, Sudan, and other countries through which it flows. It serves as an agricultural and economic lifeline to these nations, providing vital water resources for farming, transportation, and industry.
\nEgypt is completely dependent on the Nile for its agricultural needs, as 95% of the country’s water comes from the river. According to recent research, irrigation measures enable the country to produce enough food to meet the needs of its population. Economic activity all along the Nile has, however, been hindered by the lack of navigational infrastructure.
\nSudan, on the other hand, is highly dependent on the river for agricultural production, fishing, and industry, especially the oil sector. With a majority of its population living along the banks of the Nile, it is vital to the country’s development.<\/p>\n

Presence of Endangered Species<\/h2>\n