Nile+River

__The Nile River__

__- Quick Facts-__ Length - 4,258 miles long People living by the Nile - 160 million people (That number is expected to double to 320 million in 20 years).

The Nile River flows North into the Mediterranean Sea. Every second 680,000 gallons of water leaves the river and enters the Mediterranean Sea.



__-Humans and the Nile-__ Why do humans live near the Nile River? It provides drinking water, food, transportation and excellent soil for growing food.

What types of food does it provide? Mostly types of fish. There are over 120 different types of fish. It also provides nutrients to the soil around the river, which makes it great for farming.

Drinking Water The Nile river provides over 85% of the drinking water to the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Egypt has over 95% of its water come from the Nile. Without fresh drinking water from this river these countries would not have as high of populations.

__** -Animals- **__

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**__1. African Tigerfish__** - Known as the “piranha of Africa,” the giant tigerfish is one of several fish species that makes its home in the Nile. Their large, razor-like teeth and strong jaws make these fish vicious carnivores.



**__2. Vundu Catfish__** - As bottom feeders, they can live on literally just about any kind of diet…including garbage.

Fun fact: Vundu catfish have air-breathing capabilities that enable it to survive out of water for extended periods of time.



**__3. African Knifefish__** - African knifefish resembles an electric eel and has similar (but weaker) electrifying capabilities. The African knifefish is wired to viciously attack anything that disturbs its electric field.

Fun fact: If two African knifefish swim too close to each other, their electric fields will collide and distort their sense of surroundings, making them confused and unable to move.

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__**4. The Nile Perch**__ - The Nile perch is one of the largest freshwater fish found in the world. Reaching up to six feet long and 410 pounds, these beasts are easily the largest fish found in the Nile.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Fun fact: Nile perch are aggressive predators and known cannibals.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**5. African Softshell Turtle** -__ African softshell turtles are found along the Nile in areas with sandy, smooth bottoms. They are highly adaptable and able to live in salty, brackish (the water is part salt water) and fresh water habitats.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Fun fact:These funky looking reptiles are able to stay submerged for ridiculously long time periods due to an underwater breathing mechanism that allows them to inhale 70% of necessary oxygen through their skin.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**__6. African Common Toad__** - African common toads are native to Egypt and found in basically any habitable area with a permanent water source. They’re often kept as pets and captured for sale in the international pet market (getting exported to places like Europe, Canada and the US).

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**__7. Nile Tilapia__** - Reaching up to 21 pounds, Nile tilapia are extremely resilient fish that can live in brackish water and survive in waters with ridiculous ranges in temperature (between 46 degrees and 107 degrees F).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**8. Dice Water Snake** -__ Found in northern Egypt, this highly aquatic, nonvenemous snake’s numbers have declined over the past few years due to habitat destruction.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Fun fact: Hate snakes? You should probably steer clear of the Nile – there are up to 10 venomous snakes that live in the Nile river valley habitat.

__** -Plants- **__




 * <span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">1. Papyrus **<span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> – This species of aquatic flowering plant belongs to the sedge family. The tall leafless grass has a greenish cluster of stems at its tip and has been used historically to produce papyrus paper.

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<span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**2. Plume thistle** – Found all over Egypt, but especially around the Nile. Usually, the stems were peeled and boiled so people could eat them.

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<span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**3. Chamomile** – This is a daisy-like plant. There are many species of chamomile, however the one common to the Nile is Matricaria – a type commonly used in herbal medicines and teas.

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<span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**4. Blue Egyptian water lily** – The ‘blue lotus’ is one of the most noticeable plants on the Nile. With large leaves and colourful blue petals, this water lily stands out next to the sandy dessert of Egypt.

= Finished Videos =

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