The Blue Nile River is arguably the most important river in Africa. It is 1,450 km long. The Blue Nile is a major river in Ethiopia and Sudan. It is the primary tributary of the larger Nile River, flowing north from Lake Tana in Ethiopia, passing through Lake Victoria, and ending in a confluence with the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan.
Where does the Blue Nile come from? The Blue Nile water comes from Lake Tana and other surrounding lakes, like Chamo and Abaya, which join together to create the largest freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Interestingly, Lake Tana in Ethiopia, is the source of eleven rivers.
In 1884, John Hanning Speke discovered the source of the river at Lake Tana in present-day Ethiopia. He named it the Victoria Nile after Queen Victoria of Britain, but most people today call it the Blue Nile because its water is noticeably bluer than that of its parent river. The true source of the Blue Nile is actually considered to be Lake Tana in Ethiopia, which sits at an elevation of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above sea level. The different levels of elevation between lakes make the water flow at different speeds as it moves down stream.
Who owns the Blue Nile River?
The Blue Nile flows though Ethiopia and Sudan.
Does the Blue Nile have other names?
The Blue Nile has been called many things throughout history: The Abuna (father) Nile; Bahr Juba (river from the south); Bahr al Ghazal (river from the sea).
Why do they call it the Blue Nile?
Sudanese people use blue to describe anything that is dark in color. The waters of the Blue Nile are darker in color and were referred to as “Blue” in Sudan, and hence the name Blue Nile
Why is the Blue Nile River important?
The Blue Nile River is incredibly important for many different reasons. One reason is that it provides drinking water for millions who live near the source of the river. Another reason its so important is that it supplies hydroelectric power to portions of Ethiopia.
The Blue Nile River also flows into Sudan, where it merges with the White Nile River to form one big branch of the Nile River that travels to Egypt. Along the way, most of its water is used for farming and irrigation. In addition to all this, the river sustains numerous animals who live around it and are dependent on its water.
The Blue Nile is not just an important resource for humans, it’s also home to a wide variety of animals who call it their home and travel along its waters to find food, shelter and other resources they need to survive. There are over 250 species of fish living in it.
