The longest river in Africa is the Nile River. Stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers (about 4,130 miles), it flows through several countries, including Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has been historically significant as a source of water, food, and transportation for the civilizations that developed along its banks, particularly ancient Egypt. The river is commonly divided into two main tributaries: the White Nile and the Blue Nile, which converge in Sudan. The Nile plays a crucial role in the ecology and economy of the regions it traverses.