The Nile River is the longest river in the world. From its remotest head stream, the Ruvyironza River in Burundi, the Nile flows for 6,500 kilometers to reach the Mediterranean Sea. The river basin has a drainage area of 3,350,000 square kilometers. The water resources provided by the Nile are shared by 11 African countries.
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A dahabeah is a type of boat used primarily on the Nile River to transport cargo and passengers. These shallow bottomed boats have been in use for thousands of years and continue to sail the Nile River. The earlier vessels carried two lateen-rigged masts. The forward sail, also known as the trinkeet, was three times the size of the aft sail, the ballakoon. Aside from sails, the crew used punting poles, tow ropes, and oars when the wind was lacking. The modern version has kept to the basic design, but has incorporated engines.
