Top 10 Longest Rivers in the World - 2023 (With Length)
by Surya
Updated Mar 24, 2023
Top 10 Longest Rivers in the World
The world's longest rivers are determined by their total length, and the top 10 are listed in the table below. Rivers have significant ecological, cultural, and economic importance, serving as a vital source of water, food, transportation, and recreation for human communities and supporting diverse plant and animal life. Rivers can also change their course over time due to natural erosion, sedimentation, or human activities such as the construction of dams or mining.
River Name
River Location
The Nile
Africa
Amazon River
Brazil, Colombia, Peru
Yangtze River
China
Mississippi River
U.S.
Yenisei River
Mongolia and Russia
Yellow River
China
Ob River
Russia
Paraná River
Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina
The Congo
Africa
Amur River
China and Russia
Top 10 Largest Rivers in the World
A river is a type of natural watercourse that typically carries freshwater and flows in a particular direction towards an ocean, sea, lake, or another river. It is an integral component of the hydrological cycle, with water being collected from various sources such as precipitation, surface runoff, groundwater, springs, and the melting of ice and snowpack.
The Nile
The Nile River is arguably the most famous river in the world, with a total length of 4,135 miles (6,650 km). It is known as the lifeblood of Egypt, and its waters have nourished civilizations for thousands of years. The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, which converge at Khartoum in Sudan before flowing northward through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea
Amazon River
The Amazon River is the largest river in terms of volume, with an estimated discharge of 7,381,000 cubic feet per second (209,000 cubic meters per second). It flows through nine countries in South America, including Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, and has a total length of 4,000 miles (6,400 km). The Amazon basin is home to the largest rainforest in the world, and the river and its tributaries provide critical habitat for countless species of plants and animals.
Yangtze River
The Yangtze River, also known as the Chang Jiang, is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, with a total length of 3,915 miles (6,300 km). It flows through China, from its source in the Tibetan Plateau to its mouth in the East China Sea, and is the primary source of freshwater for over 400 million people. The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station, is located on the Yangtze River.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America, with a total length of 2,320 miles (3,730 km). It flows through ten states, from its source in Minnesota to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico, and is a vital transportation route for goods and commodities. The Mississippi River basin is also home to numerous species of wildlife, including the American alligator and the Mississippi sandhill crane.
Yenisei River
The Yenisei River is the longest river in Russia, with a total length of 3,445 miles (5,539 km). It flows through Siberia, from its source in the Mongolian Plateau to its mouth in the Arctic Ocean, and is a critical source of hydroelectric power for the region. The Yenisei River basin is also home to several endangered species, including the Siberian tiger and the snow leopard.
Yellow River
The Yellow River, also known as the Huang He, is the second-longest river in China, with a total length of 3,395 miles (5,464 km). It flows through nine provinces, from its source in the Bayan Har Mountains to its mouth in the Bohai Sea, and is often referred to as the cradle of Chinese civilization. The Yellow River basin is also prone to devastating floods, which have caused significant damage and loss of life throughout history.
Ob River
The Ob River is the longest river in Russia, with a total length of 2,268 miles (3,650 km). It flows through western Siberia, from its source in the Altai Mountains to its mouth in the Gulf of Ob, and is a vital transportation route for oil and natural gas exports. The Ob River basin is also home to several indigenous communities, including the Khanty and the Mansi
Paraná River
The Paraná River is the second longest river in South America after the Amazon, stretching approximately 4,880 kilometres (3,032 miles) in length. The river flows through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, providing important commercial and transportation routes for these countries. The Paraná River also plays a significant role in the generation of hydroelectric power, with several large hydroelectric dams located along its course. The river is also a major source of freshwater and supports diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
The Congo
The Congo River is the second longest river in Africa, after the Nile, and the deepest river in the world, with a maximum depth of over 220 metres (720 feet). The river flows through several Central African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zambia, and Burundi. The Congo River basin is home to some of the largest rainforests in the world, and the river itself is a vital source of freshwater and food for millions of people in the region.
Amur River
The Amur River is the tenth longest river in the world, flowing approximately 4,444 kilometres (2,763 miles) through northeastern Asia. The river forms a natural boundary between China and Russia, and also runs through Mongolia. The Amur River is one of the last undammed rivers in the world and supports a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including several endangered species such as the Amur tiger and the Far Eastern leopard. The river also plays an important role in the transportation of goods and people in the region.
Which is the Longest River on the Earth?
The Nile River is widely recognized as the longest river in the world, stretching over 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) through eleven countries in Africa. Its source is in the highlands of East Africa, specifically Lake Victoria, and it empties into the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
The Nile is not only the longest but also one of the most historically significant rivers in the world. It has played a crucial role in the development of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, providing water for agriculture and transportation.
Today, the Nile continues to be a vital source of water and livelihood for millions of people living along its banks. However, the river faces many challenges, including pollution, climate change, and increasing demand for water resources. Despite these challenges, the Nile remains a testament to the enduring power and importance of the world's great rivers.
Longest River in the World
Rivers are natural watercourses that flow towards the sea, a lake or another river. They are formed by a combination of geological, hydrological and meteorological processes that cause water to accumulate and flow downhill, carving out a channel or bed as they go. Rivers can be found all over the world, from the smallest creeks and streams to the largest and most powerful waterways such as the Amazon, Nile, Yangtze and Mississippi. They play a vital role in the natural world, supporting a diverse range of plant and animal life and providing essential water resources for human communities.
The flow of a river is influenced by a number of factors, including the gradient of the land, the volume of water in the river, and the presence of obstacles such as rocks, sandbars or dams. Rivers can also change their course over time, as a result of erosion, sedimentation or human activities such as dam construction or mining. In addition to their ecological importance, rivers have played a significant role in human history and culture, serving as a means of transportation, a source of food and water, and a site for religious and cultural practices. They continue to be an important resource for human societies today, providing water for irrigation, industry and ,domestic use, and supporting a wide range of recreational activities such as fishing, boating and , swimming.
Top 10 Longest Rivers of the World - FAQs
The Amazon River- 6575 Kms
The Amazon River is undoubtedly the largest river in the world by discharge volume of water
Here is a list of five longest rivers of the world
Nile River: The longest river in the world. Nile River: the longest river in the world (Image: 10mosttoday) ...
Amazon River: Second longest and the largest by water flow. Amazon River (Image: 10mosttoday) ...
Yangtze River: The longest river in Asia. ...
Mississippi-Missouri. ...
Yenisei.
Thames River, London
The Thames River in London tops the chart of the cleanest river in the world
At over three thousand kilometers long, the Indus is the longest river of India as of 2023