Nile River Map

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History of the Nile River

Nile River Facts

Egypt is the Gift of the Nile” is an old saying passed spontaneously through the minds of most people all over the world without paying attention or realizing its real meaning. To achieve the meaning of this saying, you have to recognize what is the Nile River?

The Historical Role of the Nile River

At ancient times, the primitive Egyptians settled along the banks of the Nile River where they built simple houses and cottages for accommodation, grew many crops, and domesticate some animals and since then the first steps to the Egyptian glory had started. Cultivation was the starting point as the Nile River overflowed, carrying silt deposits which covered the neighboring lands along the Nile Valley and make them fertile. Wheat was the first crops, the ancient Egyptians cultivated, dependant on the Nile floods as a solution to the threat of starvations and lack of food at that time. On the other side, they used some animals such as water buffalos and camels for food, plowing, and carrying goods. In brief, the Nile River is essential for people, crops, and livestock. Gradually, most of the Egyptians moved to the Nile Valley where they could get their sustenance. As the Ancestors joined together on the Nile banks, they produced the ancient Egyptian civilization, one of the greatest civilizations in ancient history which witnessed building many temples and tombs with precious treasures and jewelry. The effect of the Nile River extends to Sudan where it significantly contributed to erect the Sudanese kingdoms.

The Nile River Facts from The Religious Side

As a part of the ancient pharaohs’ interests of the religious life and their insistence to create many gods and goddesses for physical elements, they honored the Nile River by creating SobekGod of the Nile” or it was named “God of Crocodile” the god of a man with a crocodile head represented fertility, wetlands, medicine, and sudden death and the Nile River is regarded to be the sweat of Sobek. Another God related to the Nile in Ancient Egypt is “Hapy” it’s called “Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation” or “Lord of the Fish and Birds of the Marshes” the god of yearly floods of the Nile which greatly controlled the water level, symbolized fertility. The overflows carried rich silt to the lands of the Nile Valley in order to cultivate crops. Another role the Nile played in ancient Egyptian life is to divide the ancient calendar into three seasons, each one consisted of four months, “Akhet” represents the flood season when the Nile overflowed, Peret is the growing season when the soil is fertile by Nile silt, and Shemu symbolizes the harvest season at the times of drought.

The Nile River History and its Agricultural and Economic Role

As the Nile River was the best way to record the ancient Egyptian civilization in history, it’s also the holy secret of success in other fields. Cultivation was the first activity that formed the pillars of the Egyptian empire. When the Nile River flooded, the water level rose, carrying the wealthy silt deposits and overflowed the lands of the valley then make them more fertile. The ancient Egyptians took advantage of the flood season to grow crops for their sustenance. After that, they resorted to depending on some domestic animals in their life to help them in agriculture works. These animals had taken the Nile River as their permanent refuge where they found the Nile waters. On the other side, the Nile was the causeway for people and goods, especially among the countries of the Nile Basin. At earlier times, the ancient used primitive boats of wood to exchange wares and merchandise through the Nile till they now use large ships. These exchanges made economic progress, resulted in the sublime Nile River.

Nile River Map and Where it Located?

The Nile River is the longest river in the world, which stretches for 6853 km in the northeast of Africa. The word “Nile” was derived from two words, “Neilos” a Greek word means Valley, and the Latin word “Nilus”. The Nile River is the waterway that links the countries of the Nile Basin that covers 11 African countries: “Uganda, Eritrea, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt“. The Nile is the main water source in all these countries which its water is pumped from two tributaries , the White Nile, the major stream which starts from the Great Lakes in Central Africa and the Blue Nile, the primary springhead of ninety percent of water and silt that flows at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and the two rivers join together in northern Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. Nevertheless, Lake Victoria is still regarded as the most essential source of the Nile River.

The Nile in Egypt extends from the northern limits of Lake Nasser in Aswan to the north of Cairo where the Nile is divided to form Nile Delta into two branches:

  • The Damietta Branch.
  • The Rosetta Branch.

The Best Luxury Nile Cruises Can’t Be Missed!!!

As mentioned in advance, the ancient Egyptians settled down and erected their civilization on the banks of the Nile River. Thus, most of Egypt historical destinations lie on the Nile shores, especially in Upper Egypt. Accordingly, travel agencies in Egypt and trip planners in Egypt tend to make use of the phenomenal geographic location of the Nile and it’s overlooking the remarkable sightseeing to make it a part of their Egypt tours packages in and around Luxor and Aswan. They add an option to see Luxor and Aswan spectacular landmarks on board Nile cruise where to discover both ancient and modern Egypt.

This awesome waterway is the best way to witness many more of the timeless pharaonic temples and tombs, Karnak Temples, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel Temple and the three majestic temples of Philae, Edfu, and Kom Ombo which directly overlook the Nile stream. On board the cruise, travelers can do many activities, have fresh food and drinks, listen to music and dance, relax on deluxe swimming pools, and also massage sessions are available with the best service ever.

RECOMMENDED JOURNEYS TO EGYPT

Below you will find the best sale Egypt toursexcursions, and Egypt tour packages in the past 5 years. These day tours and tour packages are covering the most important site in Egypt. You will visit the most exciting places in Egypt.

  • 11 Day Cairo & Cruise 7 night

    This journey is the ideal way to see Egypt. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful ancient sites along the Nile, from Luxor to Aswan but also Visit famous Pyramids of Giza, feel an authen...
    From USD 2'160
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  • 5 Day Cairo & Nile Cruise

    This cultural tour will start in Cairo, where you'll explore the bustling city and visit the Pyramids of Giza, before embarking on a three-night cruise on the Nile River during which you'...
    From USD 1'200
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  • 12 Day Cairo, Cruise & Hurghada

    Explore the top sights of Egypt. Tailor-made Travel package for your holiday includes Cairo, Nile cruise and Red Sea in Hurghada. Visit the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, Old Cairo, and Saladin&rs...
    From USD 2'400
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  • 5 Day Cairo, Luxor & Alexandria

    Incredible journey with the excursions to the most valuable sightseeings of the country. Discover Great Pyramids of Giza, mysterious Sphinx and Egyptian Museum in Cairo, feel ancient atmosphere i...
    From USD 1'200
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  • 8 Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Luxor

    It is a journey where Egypt moves past you, children swimming in the Nile River, people riding donkeys, farmers planting their lands, fishermen in feluccas will wave back to you the same way thei...
    From USD 1'000
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  • 10 Day Cairo, Alexandria, & the Nile

    On this 10-day tour of Egypt, enjoy the sites by land and sea. Begin in Cairo to visit the pyramids and the Sphinx. Then, fly to Luxor for some sightseeing, before boarding a multiday cruise alon...
    From USD 2'150
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  • 4 Day Cairo Tour Package

    On this quick, eventful journey, experience the best of Cairo. Tour the Egyptian Museum, which includes antiques that date back 5,000 years. Then visit the pyramids and the Sphinx....
    From USD 725
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  • 8 Day Pyramids & Nile Cruise by Air

    Bask in the timeless majesty of ancient Egypt on an immersive journey through the land of the pharaohs, exploring its quintessential archaeological treasures with an expert tour guide, and cruise...
    From USD 1'900
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FAQ

Q- Where is the Nile River? A-The Nile River’s basin spans across the countries of Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The Nile is composed of two tributaries: the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile, which is the longer of the two, begins at Lake Victoria in Tanzania and flows north until it reaches Khartoum, Sudan, where it converges with the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile begins near Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt.


Q-What is the historical significance of the Nile River? A-The Nile River was extremely important to settlement patterns in Egypt. The soil surrounding the Nile is very fertile, unlike the arid landscape typical in the rest of the country. The Nile is also featured in a number of Egyptian myths. It became so important to life and culture that it earned the nickname “the father of African rivers.” The river used to flood on a yearly basis, but now the Aswan High Dam, built in the mid-20th century, allows surrounding countries to control the floods.


Q-How long is the Nile River?A-The Nile River is approximately 4,100 miles long and was historically thought to be the longest river in the world. There is plenty of debate surrounding this, however, for many believe the Amazon River in South America might be longer. According to the United States Geological Survey, the Nile is about 100 miles longer than the Amazon.


Q-Why is the Nile River important?A- The most important thing the Nile provided to the Ancient Egyptians was fertile land. Most of Egypt is desert, but along the Nile River the soil is rich and good for growing crops. The three most important crops were wheat, flax, and papyrus.


Q-What are 3 facts about the Nile River?A-Interesting Facts about the Nile river: The Nile River is the longest river in the world, The Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea., The Nile has a length of about 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles), Its average discharge is 3.1 million litres (680,000 gallons) per second.


Q-Where does the Nile River start and stop? A-The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea.


Q-How deep is the Nile? A-The depth of the Nile ranges from 26 to 36 feet deep. This river spans between 4,130 and 4,190 miles and is considered to be the longest river in the world.


Q-What can you do at the Nile River?A-Must See Nile River Attractions, Pyramids of Giza. Any visit to Egypt is not complete without visiting the pyramids, Abu Simbel, Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Aswan, Temple of Edfu, Karnak Temple, Cairo.


Q-What do you see on a Nile cruise? A-Nile River Itineraries, You will visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae in Aswan before docking at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna and reaching Luxor. There you'll visit the west bank to see the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.


Q-How much is a Nile cruise? A-Nile cruises offered online or by JOURNEY TO EGYPT start from around $150 per day and that's for 5 star standard cruise ships. Generally these prices include 3 meals a day, plus 10 expert-led shore excursions with a Certified Professional Guides.


Q-Best time for Nile River Cruise?A-Best time for Nile River Cruise? A-The best time to for Nile Cruise is October through April when the temperatures are mild and good weather. However, late spring – Easter Time – is also prime tourist season.


Q-Is it safe to do a Nile Cruise? A-There is no FCO advice against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, the tourist areas along the Nile, and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. The section of the country between the Nile and the Red Sea is also considered mostly safe.


Q-How long is a Nile Cruise? A-Most Nile cruise itineraries are a 3 night Nile cruise, 4 night Nile Cruise or 7 night Nile cruise. More exotic trips can occasionally stretch from 10 days to two weeks know as Long Nile Cruies


Q-How far is Luxor from Aswan?A-The distance between Luxor and Aswan is 181 km. The road distance is 214.5 km.