The Nile River in Northeastern Africa is arguably the longest river in the world and the birthplace of western civilization. The Nile originates in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt, finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea. It is over 4,100 miles (6,600 kilometers) long.
The Nile River can be divided into three zones. The first zone consists of tributaries to the two streams of the White Nile, which rises in Lake Victoria, Uganda, and the Blue Nile, which rises in Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Lake Victoria is the Nile River's largest source, located on the borders of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya at an elevation of over 3,700 feet (1,130 meters). The White Nile and the Blue Nile join at Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.
The second zone is the expanse between Khartoum and Cairo. The third zone is the Nile delta, which is the widest habitable area of the Nile with its most important stretch in terms of inhabitants and economy.
The Nile River not only plays a vital role in agriculture, supplying a constant source of water, but also plays a major role in transportation.
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