Description

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Context:

In a tragic incident, at least 27 people died while over 100, including women, were missing, after a boat capsized along the Niger River in central Nigeria.

Details:

Rank	The third longest river in Africa (after the Nile and Congo).
Nickname	"Boomerang River" due to its serpentine shape.
Course	Rises in Guinea, detours into the Sahara Desert, turns near Mali’s Timbuktu, flows southeast into the Gulf of Guinea.
Countries	Niger, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria.
Niger River Basin	Covers 7.5% of the African continent.
Main Tributary	Benue River.

Major Rivers of Africa:

River Name	Countries Flowed Through	Significance
Nile River	Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi	The longest river in Africa flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
Congo River	Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola	The second longest river in Africa, important for hydroelectric power.
Niger River	Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Algeria	The third longest river in Africa, vital for West African agriculture.
Zambezi River	Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique	Known for Victoria Falls, flows into the Indian Ocean.
Orange River	South Africa, Lesotho	A major river in southern Africa flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Limpopo River	South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana	Important river in southern Africa flows into the Indian Ocean.
Senegal River	Senegal, Mauritania	Forms part of the border between Senegal and Mauritania.
Gambia River	Gambia, Senegal	Important river for transportation in The Gambia.
Volta River	Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo	Provides water for hydroelectric power, and flows into the Gulf of Guinea.

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Source:

INDIATVNEWS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements:

It is the longest river in Africa.
It flows through ten African countries.
The main tributary of the Niger River is the Congo River.

Which of the above-given statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: It is the main river of West Africa extending about 4,180 kilometres. Its drainage basin is 2,117,700 km2 in area. Nile River is the longest river in Africa.

Statement 2 is correct: Niger River flows through 10 countries including Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The main tributary of the Niger River is the Benue River, not the Congo River.