Does It...? Trivia Quiz

While there is some controversy about it, the Nile is considered the longest river in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Nile is also a narrower river with a lesser water flow than the Amazon, which may have helped cause the confusion.

The Nile flows through northeastern Africa, including Egypt. In addition to being the longest river in the world it is one of the few significant rivers to flow in a generally northerly direction. Since antiquity the annual flooding of the banks of the Nile has played a vital role in the success of the farmers of Egypt. Heading upstream, at the city of Khartoum, the Nile divides into two major tributaries--the Blue Nile and the White Nile.

The Amazon River is slightly shorter than the Nile River, but due to several factors, including its width, actually discharges much more water. This is according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Its course travels across northern South America, mostly but not entirely through Brazil. The river was first charted by a European in the sixteenth century (and by an AmerIndian much earlier than that). For hundreds of years (if not thousands) the Amazon basin has been a center of agriculture.

After the confusion between the Nile and the Amazon, the Yangtze River flows mostly through China in Eastern Asia. At one time, the river was home to numerous aquatic species. It is also the home of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. An alternate Chinese name for the river is the "Chang Jiang" or "Long River". Prehistoric human activity has been found on the banks of the Yangtze from tens of thousands of years ago. Agriculture along the river has long been important.

An alternate name for the Huang He River is the Yellow River, for the yellow silt or soil often carried in its water. Like the Yangtze, the Huang He also flows through China.

Mentions of the river in Chinese historiography can be found from thousands of years ago. Flooding has been a constant issue for both good and ill. The river was also a center of Chinese civilization for thousands of years.

The Ob River flows across the vast lands of Russia in Northern Europe and Asia, discharging into the Arctic Ocean. The Ob also flows in a generally northerly direction. The river is used by humans in several ways including hydroelectric power and irrigation.

Much of the Ob River is navigable. Historic records of the Ob can be traced back over 1,000 years. In more recent years, pollution along the river has been an issue.

The Lena River also flows across Russia into the Arctic Ocean. Agriculture is limited as permafrost lines a large part of the rivers banks. The river arises not far from Lake Baikal. The Lena has an enormous number of tributaries. Stories and legends about this river can be traced back hundreds of years.

A large number of fish swim in the Lena. In more recent years various scientific expeditions have explored the river.

The Mackenzie flows through Canada into the Arctic Ocean. It is surrounded by boreal forest and tundra. The river basin drains a significant portion of Canada's land. It served as a significant transportation route for thousands of years. Wetlands cover much of the river's banks. Various types of fauna can be found in the land and water surrounding the river.

The Niger River covers a large part of West Africa. The river's journey ends at the Gulf of Guinea/Atlantic Ocean. History traces the Niger River back for thousands of years and use of the name "Niger" for nearly 500 years. The river's journey is a productive source for fishing and agriculture alike.

The Niger flows through or alongside several countries. It also serves as an important trade route.

The Mississippi flows through or alongside ten of the United States. It is generally seen as dividing the United States into east and west. For hundreds of years, it has been important for its support of agriculture and as a transportation route. It is an important topic in American literature including the writings of Mark Twain. Various engineering marvels including levees and dams can be found along its length.

The Congo River is also known as the Zaire River. It flows along or through several nations of Central Africa. A significant part of its length runs through the Congo rain forest. A significant part of its length is navigable to oceangoing vessels. It is also an important source of hydroelectric power. Recurrent flooding along its riverbanks has also been an issue.