The World’s Longest Rivers Worksheet
Read this selection about the world’s longest rivers. Think about the meanings of the words in bold type.
Do you know the names of the world’s longest rivers? Where do you think they are?
The Nile River, on the continent of Africa, is the longest river in the world, flowing 4,160 miles. The source, or beginning, of the Nile River is in the mountains of Uganda near Lake Victoria and in the deserts of Sudan. The mouth of the river is in the Mediterranean Sea on the shores of Egypt. The Nile River flows north. Ancient civilizations once lived on its shores. Now the Nile supplies water for the crops grown around the river and for hydroelectricity, or electric power.
The second longest river in the world is the Amazon River on the continent of South America. The Amazon flows about 4,000 miles across South America from west to east. Its source is in the Andes mountains of Peru and its mouth is in the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon travels through rain forests and land rich with oil, minerals, and valuable lumber. The soil around the Amazon is good for growing rubber trees, nuts, and other products.
WORKSHEET & Sample PDF Activity
Sample PDF Activity
The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States and in North America. The Missouri River is the main tributary of the Mississippi. Together, the two rivers form the third longest river in the world at 3,740 miles. The source of the Mississippi is in the lakes of Minnesota, and it flows south into the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers provide for transportation and agriculture.
The fourth longest river in the world is in Siberia, Russia. The Ob River and its main tributary, the Irtysh River, are 3,460 miles long. The Ob flows north into the Arctic Ocean. Although it is frozen for half the year, the Ob is important for transportation and trade in Russia.
The Yangtze River is the longest in Asia and the fifth longest in the world. It begins its 3,450 miles in the mountains of Tibet and flows east to the East China Sea near the port of Shanghai. People grow many crops on the banks of the Yangtze and travel the river for trade.
Can you think of other long rivers of the world and where they are?
Go with the Flow Worksheet
Label the drawing with the vocabulary words.
Nile River
Amazon River
Mississippi River
Ob River
Yangtze River
Also . . .
- Name a synonym for the source of a river.
- Name a synonym for the mouth of a river.
- What is a tributary?
Go with the Flow Worksheet 2 – Crossword Puzzle
Match the vocabulary words and their meanings to complete the puzzle.
Nile River
Amazon River
mouth
Mississippi River
Ob River
Yangtze River
tributary
source
Across
- the Missouri is a tributary
- its mouth is in the Atlantic Ocean
- this river flows north to the Mediterranean Sea
- a river that is frozen half the year
Down
- the place where a river begins to flow
- the longest river in Asia
- the place where a river empties into a large body of water
- a stream that flows into a river
Answer Key – The World’s Longest Rivers Go With the Flow
Answer Key
Mississippi River
Ob River
Amazon River
Nile River
Yangtze River
- beginning
- start
- A stream or river that flows into a larger river.
