What is the longest river in the world?

THERE are about 165 major rivers in the world, some stretching for thousands of miles across continents.

But which river is the longest in the world? Here's our run down of the lengthiest stretches of water across the globe.

5

What is the longest river in the world?

There is a long-term debate ongoing about what is the world’s longest river, with the Amazon and Nile rivers at the centre of this centuries-old rivalry.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the title is officially held by the River Nile, whose main source is Lake Victoria in east central Africa.

Measuring from its farthest stream in Burundi, the Nile stretches 4,160 miles in length.

The Nile’s waters are shared by eleven countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt.

5

While the Nile flows into the Mediterranean, the Amazon flows into the South Atlantic Ocean.

Which of these is longer remains a matter of definition than simple measurement.

It was not until 1971 that the true source of the Amazon discovered by Loren McIntyre, who claimed the river originated in the snow-covered Andes of southern Peru.

The Amazon has several mouths, which widen towards the sea, so the exact point where the river ends is uncertain.

However, if the Par estuary (the most distant mouth) is acknowledged, the Amazon would measure approximately 4,195 miles in length – which would make the Amazon the longest in the world.

5

What are the other long rivers in the world?

Yangtze River

• At 3914 miles long, China’s Yangtze River is not only the third longest river in the world but also the longest river in Asia.
• The river basin of the Yangtze houses one-third of the population of China, the most populated country in the world.
• , the government of China recognizes the Tuotuo tributary located in the Tanggula Mountains as the source of the river, which at 17,526 ft above sea-level is definitely the highest source of the Yangtze.
• According to new data the source of the Yangtze River is located in the Jari Hill from where the headwaters of the Dam Qu tributary originate.
• These tributaries and more join to form the mighty Yangtze River which finally drains into the East China Sea at Shanghai.

5

Mississippi/Missouri River:

• The river system comprising of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Jefferson rivers, is regarded as the world’s fourth longest river system.
• The river system drains 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces.
• The Mississippi River begins in northern Minnesota where Lake Itasca is believed to be the origin.
• It drains into the Gulf of Mexico after flowing for a distance of 2,320 miles.
• However, when we regarded the Jefferson River as the furthest source of the Mississippi River, then we get a 3,902 mile long Mississippi–Missouri–Jefferson river system.
• The Madison River joins the 83-mile long Jefferson River to form the Missouri River that finally joins the Mississippi at the border between the US states of Illinois and Missouri

5

MOST READ IN NEWS

HEALTH SCARE

Former US President Bill Clinton, 78, rushed to hospital and undergoing tests

BRICKING IT 

Moment drunk rioter is hit in head and groin by flying bricks as he's jailed

TRAGIC FIND

Body found in search for missing woman as man arrested on suspicion of murder

CRASH HORROR 

Man killed and toddler fighting for life after car smashes into pedestrians

YENISEI RIVER

• The Yenisei is the world’s fifth longest river system and the largest draining into the Arctic Ocean.
• The Selenge River is regarded as the headwaters of this river system.
• The Selenge is 992 km long and drains into Lake Baikal.
• The Angara river rises from Lake Baikal near Listvyanka and flows through the Irkutsk Oblast of Russia and finally joins the Yenisei River near Strelka.
• The Yenisei finally drains into the Arctic Ocean.
• The total length covered is 3,445 miles