The Nile River is approximately 6,650 kilometers (about 4,130 miles) long, making it one of the longest rivers on Earth
. Some sources note slight variations in length, with estimates ranging from about 6,650 km to 6,758 km depending on the exact source considered, such as tributaries like the Kagera River
. Historically, the Nile has been regarded as the longest river in the world, though recent research suggests the Amazon River may be slightly longer
. The Nile flows northward through northeastern Africa, passing through 10 to 11 countries including Uganda, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and others, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea
. Its major tributaries are the White Nile, originating from the Lake Victoria region, and the Blue Nile, which begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia
