Rivers are important. Most rivers begin in mountains and end in the oceans. The water flows (流动) from high ground to low ground. At first, rivers are small and are called creeks or streams (小溪). As water enters from other streams, a river grows.

Some rivers become very large and long. The longest river in the world is the Nile River, in Africa. One of the world’s oldest civilizations (文明) developed next to it. How much do you know about this great river?

The Nile River is the “Father of African Rivers”. The Nile is 6,671 km long. The river runs from south to north, beginning in the mountains of Burundi and ending in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile played an important role in the development of ancient Egypt (埃及). It ran through ancient Egypt, bringing water to plants and a wide river to ships. The river was full of fish and the banks were full of good things for ancient Egyptians (埃及人) to eat.

Each spring, snow on the mountain tops would become water. That was a very good thing. When the water passed by, it left behind good soil. Plants could grow well in the black and rich soil. The Egyptians called it “the gift of the Nile”. The Nile provided other gifts for ancient Egyptians. Papyrus (纸莎草), used for everything especially in making paper, grew along its banks.

This amazing river remains important for Egyptians to this day. More than 95% of the country’s population depend on its water and live within (在……范围内) a few miles of the river banks. Canals (运河) bring water from the Nile to water farms and support cities.

And it is not just important for humans — the river and its banks are home to lots of wonderful wildlife, too — including different kinds of fish and birds, as well as turtles, snakes, hippos and one of our planet’s largest reptiles — the Nile crocodile (鳄鱼)!

Although Egypt is in the middle of a desert, life along the Nile is wonderful.