Civilizations thrive near rivers, as they offer essential water and life. Rivers vary in length globally, but which one is the longest?

Determining a river’s exact length is complex. It involves identifying its source and mouth, which are the starting and ending points, respectively.

Understanding a river’s length can be more challenging than it seems and may vary over time. Factors like tributaries, channels, and seasonal changes add to the complexity.

Due to these complexities, determining a river’s length is not precise. Varying lengths on different websites and disputes about the longest river on Earth are common. The provided lengths are approximations, considering multiple variables.

Considering these complexities, here is a list of the world’s top 10 longest rivers.

10. The Amur River – 4,444km (2,761 miles)

The Amur River, ranking as the tenth-longest globally, boasts an impressive length of 4,444km (2,761 miles) when considering its farthest source – the river Argun. Originating in Mongolia, this extensive river courses eastward, traversing through China and Russia. It prominently delineates the primary border between the far east of Russia and northeastern China, ultimately culminating in the Amur Estuary, which discharges into the Strait of Tartary.

The ecosystem of the Amur River is rich and diverse. It serves as the habitat for the Kaluga fish, a species capable of reaching lengths up to 5.6 meters. The basin hosts a staggering variety of aquatic life, boasting around 100 different species of fish. Additionally, the northernmost stretches of the river feature the enchanting presence of the Indian lotus flower.

This intricate tapestry of geography, biodiversity, and cultural significance makes the Amur River an integral part of the regions it traverses.

9. The Congo River – 4,700km (2,920 miles)

Ranking as the ninth-longest river globally and the second-longest in Africa, the Congo River stretches an extensive 4,700km (2,922 miles) from its farthest source to its mouth. This mighty river traverses through several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zambia, Burundi, and Rwanda. Its course begins in the East, arching northwest, and then turning southwest to reach its mouth, which borders Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ultimately emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Congo River’s journey takes it through the Congo rainforest, renowned for having the second-strongest river flow globally, surpassed only by the Amazon. This powerful watercourse plays a crucial role as a primary water source for an astonishing array of wildlife.

The river sustains over 400 species of mammals, including iconic creatures like gorillas, African bush elephants, bonobos, and more. Additionally, the Congo River supports the habitat of over 1,700 species of birds and fish, contributing to the incredible biodiversity of the surrounding regions.

8. Río de la Plata River – 4,880km (3,032 miles)

Río de la Plata claims the position of the eighth-longest river globally, boasting an impressive length of 4,880km (3,032 miles). This measurement encompasses the combined lengths of its intersecting tributaries, the Paraná, Rio Grande, and Uruguay rivers.

While the Río de la Plata alone spans a modest 290km (180 miles), the collective length with its tributaries extends significantly. The river courses from north to south, navigating through the countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, before ultimately reaching its endpoint at the Atlantic Ocean, marking the border between Argentina and Uruguay.

One noteworthy distinction of the Río de la Plata is its claim to being the widest river globally, attaining an astonishing width of 220km in select areas along its course.

7. The Ob River – 5,410km (3,362 miles)

Claiming the seventh spot among the longest rivers globally is the Ob, stretching an extensive 5,410km (3,362 miles). This measurement includes the Irtysh River as an integral part of its primary course.

Positioned to the west among the three major Siberian rivers – Ob, Yenisey, and Lena – the Ob flows in a northern direction, traversing Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Its ultimate destination is the Gulf of Ob, recognized as the lengthiest estuary worldwide, spanning approximately 1,000km (620 miles).

Throughout a significant portion of the year, from early November to late April in southern Barnaul and from the end of October to early June in northern Salekhard, substantial sections of the Ob River are subject to freezing conditions.

6. Yellow River – 5,464km (3,395 miles)

Ranking as the sixth-longest river globally, the Yellow River extends a vast 5,464km (3,395 miles) across the expanse of China. In the hierarchy of Chinese rivers, it holds the position of the second-longest, with the Yangtze claiming the top spot (refer below).

Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains, the Yellow River courses its way northward and then eastward, with its basin emptying into the Bohai Sea near Dongying City. Crossing through several provinces, namely Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong, the river weaves a diverse geographical tapestry.

The Yellow River’s basin is renowned for hosting over 160 indigenous fish species, including 19 exclusive to this region. Among its native inhabitants are the Chinese pond turtle, Chinese softshell turtle, and the Chinese giant salamander, contributing to the rich biodiversity associated with the river’s ecosystem.

5. Yenisey River – 5,539km (3,442 miles)

Ranked as the fifth-longest river globally, the Yenisey spans an extensive 5,539km (3,445 miles) as it flows north through the territories of Mongolia and Russia.

Situated as the central river among the trio of major Siberian rivers (including the Ob upstream and the Lena downstream), the Yenisey originates from the Selenga River tributary. Remarkably, 97 percent of the river’s course falls within the borders of Russia, with only 3 percent traversing through Mongolia.

The Yenisey plays host to the Taimyr herd of tundra reindeer, recognized as the world’s largest herd of its kind during the winter months. Witnessing over one million reindeer migrate to the river’s grazing ranges is a spectacular natural phenomenon associated with the Yenisey.

4. Mississippi River – 5,971km (3,710 miles)

Ranking as the fourth-longest river globally and the lengthiest in North America, the Mississippi River spans a vast 5,971km (3,710 miles) from its origin to its mouth.

Entirely situated within the United States, the Mississippi traverses the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana in a north-to-south direction before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.

The recorded length of 5,971km is calculated from Brower’s Spring in Montana, considered the river’s longest stream source. Alternatively, when measured from the conventional source at Lake Itasca, the Mississippi’s length is reduced to 3,766km (2,340 miles).

3. Yangtze River – 6,300km (3,915 miles)

Ranking as the third-longest river globally, the Yangtze River in China spans an extensive 6,300km (3,915 miles) from its source to its mouth.

As the longest river in Asia and entirely contained within a single country, China, the Yangtze commences its journey at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains, flowing eastward through China until it reaches the Yangtze Delta basin. Noteworthy for hosting the largest hydroelectric power station, the Three Gorges Dam, the river is also a unique habitat for the Chinese alligator and narrow-ridged finless porpoise.

The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas along the Yangtze is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its exceptional biological diversity in the temperate regions of Earth.

2. The Amazon River – 6,400km (3,977 miles)

Claiming the title of the second-longest river globally, the Amazon stretches a formidable distance of at least 6,400km (3,977 miles) from its source to its mouth.

Cutting through the northern regions of South America, the Amazon traverses Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Its vast mouth, the Amazon Basin, stands as the world’s largest drainage basin, contributing a staggering 20 per cent to the global river discharge into the ocean.

However, debates persist regarding the exact length of the Amazon. While the widely accepted figure is 6,400km among scientists, some argue that it might exceed the length of the Nile. The contention arises due to uncertainties surrounding the precise location of the Amazon’s source.

1. The River Nile – 6,695km (4,160 miles)

Securing the title of the world’s longest river, the Nile spans an impressive length of 6,695km (4,160 miles) from its source to its mouth. Its northward journey courses through a significant portion of East Africa, traversing Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and eventually reaching Egypt.

Integral to the water supply of Egypt, South Sudan, and Sudan, the ancient Egyptian civilization flourished alongside its banks. The river’s basin culminates in the Nile Delta, located at the nation’s northern tip, where its waters gracefully flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s worth noting that the Nile’s claim as the longest river is subject to dispute, sharing this distinction with the Amazon. The contention arises due to uncertainties regarding the precise location of the Amazon’s source.