Updated September 17, 2025 |
Infoplease Staff
Rivers are the lifelines of civilizations, carrying water, wildlife, and trade routes across continents. Measuring their true length can be tricky due to tributaries and seasonal changes, but here are the world’s longest rivers, ranked by their widely accepted measurements.
1. Nile River
- Length: ~4,130 miles (6,650 km)
- Location: Africa
- Fun Fact: The Nile flows north through 11 countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Amazon River
- Length: ~4,000–4,345 miles (6,400–7,062 km)
- Location: South America
- Fun Fact: While slightly shorter than the Nile, the Amazon carries more water than the next seven rivers combined.
3. Yangtze River (Chang Jiang)
- Length: ~3,915 miles (6,300 km)
- Location: China
- Fun Fact: The longest river in Asia, the Yangtze is vital for China’s agriculture, transport, and economy.
4. Mississippi–Missouri River System
- Length: ~3,902 miles (6,275 km)
- Location: United States
- Fun Fact: This river system drains 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.
5. Yenisei–Angara–Selenga River System
- Length: ~3,445 miles (5,539 km)
- Location: Russia/Mongolia
- Fun Fact: It is the largest river system flowing into the Arctic Ocean.
6. Yellow River (Huang He)
- Length: ~3,395 miles (5,464 km)
- Location: China
- Fun Fact: Called “China’s Sorrow,” it has caused some of the deadliest floods in human history.
7. Ob–Irtysh River System
- Length: ~3,364 miles (5,410 km)
- Location: Russia/Kazakhstan
- Fun Fact: It flows through Siberia and is frozen for nearly half the year.
8. Paraná River
- Length: ~3,030 miles (4,880 km)
- Location: South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina)
- Fun Fact: The Itaipu Dam on the Paraná is one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world.
9. Congo River (Zaire)
- Length: ~2,920 miles (4,700 km)
- Location: Africa
- Fun Fact: The Congo is the world’s deepest river, plunging to more than 720 feet (220 meters).
10. Amur River
- Length: ~2,763 miles (4,444 km)
- Location: Russia/China border
- Fun Fact: The Amur forms a natural border between northeastern China and Russia’s Far East.
Fun Facts About the World’s Longest Rivers
- The Nile and Amazon frequently trade places as the “longest” depending on measurements.
- The Congo River is the only major river to cross the equator twice.
- Asia is home to 5 of the world’s top 10 longest rivers.
- River systems like the Mississippi–Missouri include tributaries, making them longer than individual rivers.
People Also Ask…
What is the longest river in the world?
Traditionally the Nile is considered the longest at ~4,130 miles, though some research suggests the Amazon could be longer.
Which river carries the most water?
The Amazon carries more water than any other river, discharging around 20% of the world’s freshwater into the Atlantic.
Why is the Yellow River dangerous?
The Yellow River is prone to catastrophic flooding, earning it the nickname “China’s Sorrow.”
What is the deepest river in the world?
The Congo River, reaching depths of over 720 feet (220 meters).
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