The king of rivers.Many JS readers are fascinated by geographic superlatives (highest level or degree attainable). Students want to know about Earth's tallest mountain, lowest point, largest continent, and richest country. Most geographic superlatives--especially the ones that describe Earth's physical features--remain constant. Take, for instance, Mount Everest. Soaring 29,035 feet above sea level, it is the world's tallest mountain. It will hold that distinction forever. The world's richest country, however, can change yearly. That is because a country's wealth depends upon the ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits of the global economy. One curious reader wants to know about the world's longest river. Q: Is the Nile the longest river in the world? A: Traversing northward for about 4,160 miles, the Nile is the world's longest river. Geographers calculate the distance from its remotest headstream head·stream n. A stream that is a source of a river. Noun 1. headstream - a stream that forms the source of a river stream, watercourse - a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth , in Burundi, to its delta (area at the river's mouth) on the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea [Lat.,=in the midst of lands], the world's largest inland sea, c.965,000 sq mi (2,499,350 sq km), surrounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa. Geography The Mediterranean is c.2,400 mi (3,900 km) long with a maximum width of c. , in Egypt. Some experts argue that the Amazon River Amazon River Portuguese Rio Amazonas River, northern South America. It is the largest river in the world in volume and area of drainage basin; only the Nile River of eastern and northeastern Africa exceeds it in length. , when measured properly, is slightly longer than the Nile. But until that measurement is agreed upon Adj. 1. agreed upon - constituted or contracted by stipulation or agreement; "stipulatory obligations" stipulatory noncontroversial, uncontroversial - not likely to arouse controversy , the Nile remains the king of length. |
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