Blue Nile facts for kids
The Blue Nile is a very important river that helps form the mighty River Nile. It is one of the two main rivers that join together to create the Nile. The other main river is called the White Nile. These two rivers meet near the city of Khartoum in Sudan.
The Blue Nile begins its journey at Lake Tana in Ethiopia. From there, it flows through Ethiopia and then into Sudan. This river is super important because it provides about 60 percent of the water for the entire Nile River! Even though the White Nile is longer, the Blue Nile carries much more water. This makes it the biggest tributary (a river or stream flowing into a larger river) of the Nile.
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Where the Blue Nile Starts
The Blue Nile starts its long journey from Lake Tana. This large lake is located in the highlands of Ethiopia. The river then flows out of the lake and travels southeast. It then makes a big curve to the northwest.
The Blue Nile Gorge
As the Blue Nile flows through Ethiopia, it carves out a huge canyon. This canyon is known as the Blue Nile Gorge. It is one of the largest canyons in Africa. The gorge is very deep and wide. It makes it hard to cross the river in many places.
Water Flow and Importance
The amount of water in the Blue Nile changes a lot throughout the year. During the summer months, from June to September, there is a lot of rain in Ethiopia. This causes the Blue Nile to swell and carry a huge amount of water. This water is full of rich soil from the Ethiopian highlands. This soil helps to make the land along the Nile very fertile. This is why the Blue Nile is so important for farming in Sudan and Egypt.
Meeting the White Nile
The Blue Nile travels about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) before it meets the White Nile. Their meeting point is just north of Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan. When they join, they form the famous Nile River. The Nile then flows north through Egypt and finally empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
Images for kids
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People crossing the Blue Nile by rope before a new bridge was built.
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A modern suspension bridge over the Blue Nile River. It is the only pedestrian cable bridge over the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.
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A view of the Blue Nile Gorge in Ethiopia.
See also
In Spanish: Nilo Azul para niños
