The Nile is an ancient Egyptian waterway that has been a major source of transportation, irrigation, and food for the people of Egypt for centuries. It is the longest river in the world, stretching over 4, 000 miles from its source in the Ethiopian highlands to its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has been a vital part of Egyptian culture and history, providing a lifeline for the country's population and playing a major role in the development of its civilization.