Which are the 10 Longest Rivers in the World?

Rivers are the arteries of our planet, providing freshwater to billions of people and supporting countless ecosystems. The 10 longest rivers in the world span multiple continents, with the Nile and Amazon competing for the top spot depending on how their sources are measured.

1 . The 10 longest rivers in the world

Here is the complete ranking of the world's longest rivers, with lengths in both kilometres and miles:

2 . 1. Nile River – 6,650 km

The Nile is traditionally considered the longest river in the world, flowing northward through 11 African countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.

• Length: 6,650 km (4,130 miles)
• Source: Kagera River (Burundi) / Lake Victoria
• Mouth: Mediterranean Sea (Egypt)
• Countries: Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt
• Key fact: The Nile has supported human civilization for over 5,000 years

3 . 2. Amazon River – 6,400 km

The Amazon is the world's largest river by water volume, carrying about 20% of all freshwater that flows into the oceans. Some measurements place it as the longest river, surpassing the Nile.

• Length: 6,400 km (3,976 miles) – possibly longer
• Source: Andes Mountains (Peru)
• Mouth: Atlantic Ocean (Brazil)
• Countries: Peru, Colombia, Brazil
• Key fact: The Amazon basin contains the world's largest rainforest

4 . 3. Yangtze River – 6,300 km

The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. It's home to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station.

• Length: 6,300 km (3,917 miles)
• Source: Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai Province)
• Mouth: East China Sea (Shanghai)
• Country: China
• Key fact: Over 400 million people live in the Yangtze basin

5 . 4. Mississippi-Missouri River – 6,275 km

The Mississippi-Missouri river system is the longest in North America and the fourth longest in the world.

• Length: 6,275 km (3,902 miles)
• Source: Brower's Spring, Montana (Missouri) / Lake Itasca, Minnesota (Mississippi)
• Mouth: Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana)
• Country: United States
• Key fact: The Mississippi drains 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces

6 . 5. Yenisei-Angara River – 5,539 km

The Yenisei is the largest river system flowing into the Arctic Ocean and the fifth longest river in the world.

• Length: 5,539 km (3,445 miles)
• Source: Mongolia (Ider River)
• Mouth: Kara Sea (Arctic Ocean)
• Countries: Mongolia, Russia
• Key fact: The Yenisei basin covers an area larger than France and Germany combined

7 . 6. Yellow River (Huang He) – 5,464 km

The Yellow River is known as the "Mother River of China" and is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Its yellow colour comes from the loess sediment it carries.

• Length: 5,464 km (3,395 miles)
• Source: Bayan Har Mountains (Qinghai Province)
• Mouth: Bohai Sea
• Country: China
• Key fact: Historically called "China's Sorrow" due to devastating floods

8 . 7. Ob-Irtysh River – 5,410 km

The Ob-Irtysh is one of the great Siberian rivers, flowing northward into the Arctic Ocean.

• Length: 5,410 km (3,364 miles)
• Source: Altai Mountains (Kazakhstan/China border)
• Mouth: Gulf of Ob (Arctic Ocean)
• Countries: Kazakhstan, China, Russia
• Key fact: The Irtysh is the longest tributary river in the world

9 . 8. Paraná River – 4,880 km

The Paraná is South America's second longest river and forms part of the border between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. It's home to the Itaipu Dam.

• Length: 4,880 km (3,030 miles)
• Source: Confluence of Paranaíba and Grande rivers (Brazil)
• Mouth: Río de la Plata (Atlantic Ocean)
• Countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
• Key fact: The Itaipu Dam on the Paraná is one of the world's largest hydroelectric plants

10 . 9. Congo River – 4,700 km

The Congo is Africa's second longest river but the deepest river in the world, reaching depths of over 220 metres.

• Length: 4,700 km (2,922 miles)
• Source: Chambeshi River (Zambia) / East African Rift
• Mouth: Atlantic Ocean (DR Congo/Angola border)
• Countries: DR Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Republic of Congo
• Key fact: The Congo has the second largest rainforest in the world

11 . 10. Amur River – 4,444 km

The Amur (known as Heilong Jiang in Chinese) forms much of the border between Russia and China.

• Length: 4,444 km (2,763 miles)
• Source: Confluence of Shilka and Argun rivers
• Mouth: Sea of Okhotsk (Pacific Ocean)
• Countries: Russia, China, Mongolia
• Key fact: The Amur is home to the critically endangered Amur leopard

12 . Longest rivers by continent

13 . Why are rivers important?

The world's longest rivers are vital for humanity and the environment:

• Water supply: Rivers provide freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and industry for billions of people
• Ecosystems: River basins support diverse wildlife and plant species
• Transportation: Major rivers serve as important shipping routes for goods and people
• Energy: Hydroelectric dams on rivers generate clean electricity
• Agriculture: River valleys contain some of the world's most fertile farmland

14 . Threats to the world's rivers

Many of the world's longest rivers face serious challenges:

• Pollution: Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and plastic pollution
• Damming: Dams disrupt natural flow and fish migration
• Over-extraction: Excessive water withdrawal for irrigation and cities
• Climate change: Altered rainfall patterns and glacier melt affect river flows

15 . Related articles

• How long is the Nile River?
• What is the longest river in the world?
• What is the deepest river in the world?
• What is the widest river in the world?
• Which is the largest dam in the world?