The largest river in the world is the Amazon River.
While the Nile River is often cited as the longest river, the Amazon River holds the title of the largest due to its massive water volume and drainage basin.
Understanding "Largest" vs. "Longest"
It's important to differentiate between "largest" and "longest" when discussing rivers.
- Largest refers to the river's water discharge (volume of water it carries) and the size of its drainage basin (the area of land from which it collects water).
- Longest refers to the total length of the river from its source to its mouth.
The Amazon River: A Closer Look
- Location: South America
- Drainage Basin: Approximately 6,915,000 square kilometers (2,669,900 square miles). This is the largest drainage basin of any river system.
- Water Discharge: The Amazon River discharges an average of 209,000 cubic meters (7,383,000 cubic feet) of water per second into the Atlantic Ocean. This is more than the next seven largest independent rivers combined.
- Length: While debates continue, the Amazon is now widely accepted as the second-longest river, very close in length to the Nile. Modern studies have attributed a longer length to the Amazon River.
Why the Amazon is the "Largest"
The Amazon's massive drainage basin collects water from a vast area of South America, resulting in an unparalleled volume of water flowing through the river. This immense water volume and expansive drainage basin firmly establish the Amazon as the world's largest river.
