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The Nile River Facts & Worksheets

The nile river, arabic bar al-nl or nahr al-nl, is the world's longest river known as the "father of african rivers." it begins south of the equator and runs north through northern africa until emptying into the mediterranean sea., search for worksheets, download the the nile river facts & worksheets.

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Table of Contents

The Nile River , Arabic Bar Al-Nl or Nahr Al-Nl, is the world’s longest river known as the “Father of African Rivers.” It begins south of the Equator and runs north through northern Africa until emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. It is approximately 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers) long and drains an area of roughly 1,293,000 square miles.

See the fact file below for more information on the Nile River, or you can download our 31-page Nile River worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

• The Nile River is the world’s longest river, reaching approximately 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers). It runs through several countries in northeastern Africa, including Tanzania , the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya , Uganda , Burundi , South Sudan , Ethiopia , Rwanda,  Sudan, and Egypt .
• Three primary streams form the Nile: the Blue Nile and the Atbara, originating in the highlands of Ethiopia, and the White Nile, which Lake Victoria and Lake Albert feed.
• The name “Nile” is a combination of the Greek word “Neilos” and the Semitic root “naal,” both of which relate to a river valley. The ancient Egyptians called it Ar or Aur, which means “Black,” because of the color of the sediment carried by floods.
• The Nile River basin, covering about one-tenth of the African continent, was a significant setting for the development and decline of ancient civilizations.
• Apart from its historical and cultural importance, the Nile River is a crucial waterway for transportation, particularly during the flood season when other modes of transport may be impractical.
• The 20th century witnessed substantial advancements in air, rail, and highway infrastructure, reducing reliance on the Nile as a primary transportation route.
• Water availability from the Nile and high temperatures facilitate intensive agriculture along its banks, even in regions with varying rainfall patterns.

PHYSIOGRAPHY

• The Nile River’s early evolution around 30 million years ago suggests that its initial sources were at approximately 18° to 20° N latitude, with the Atbara River potentially being its main headstream. 
• Over time, the East African drainage to Lake Victoria developed an outlet northward, leading to the connection between Lake Victoria and Lake Sudd. 
• This connection allowed the Nile system to unify, providing continuous drainage from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea .
• The modern Nile basin is divided into seven primary regions: the East African Lake Plateau, Al-Jabal, the Atbara, the Blue Nile, the Nile north of Khartoum, the White Nile, and the Nile Delta.
• The Lake Plateau region in East Africa serves as a source for multiple headstreams and lakes that contribute to the White Nile. 
• Lake Victoria, near Jinja, Uganda, is the Nile’s main source. The river runs north from Lake Victoria through Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert, producing the Albert Nile before joining the White Nile.
• The Al-Jabal River, known as the Mountain Nile, flows from Nimule to Juba in South Sudan, characterized by narrow gorges and rapids. 
• Beyond Juba, the Nile flows over a clay plain called Al-Sudd, which becomes inundated during the rainy season. The region is obstructed by sudd, dense aquatic vegetation that hinders navigation.
• The White Nile, stretching approximately 500 miles, has a placid flow and joins the Blue Nile at Khartoum. 
• The Blue Nile originates from the Ethiopian Plateau, descending northward through a deep gorge. 
• The Blue Nile has a distinct flood season caused by monsoon rains, contributing significantly to the annual Nile floods in Egypt.
• The Atbara River, the last major tributary, joins the mainstream north of Khartoum. It originates in Ethiopia and brings significant flow from July to October. 
• The Nile’s course from Khartoum to Lake Nasser includes cataracts and stretches of rapids, making navigation challenging.
• Lake Nasser, formed by the Aswan High Dam, inundates many of the Nile’s courses. 
• From the first cataract to Cairo , the Nile flows through a narrow groove incised into the limestone plateau. 
• Finally, the Nile enters the delta region, a fertile triangular lowland of silt brought mainly from the Ethiopian Plateau.

CLIMATE AND HYDROLOGY

• The Nile basin experiences a transition from heavy rainfall in the south and highlands of Ethiopia to a decrease in rainfall and aridity as you move northwards towards Sudan and Egypt.
• The tropical climates in the East African lakes region and southwestern Ethiopia have slight variations in mean temperature throughout the year, with relative humidity averaging around 80 percent.
• South Sudan and parts of Sudan receive heavy rainfall, with up to 50 inches of rain spread over nine months (March to November).
• A pleasant, cool, dry winter (December to February)
• Hot and very dry weather (March to June)
• A hot, rainy period (July to October)
• The Nile flood is primarily caused by heavy tropical rains in Ethiopia, with the floodwaters taking several months to reach Egypt. The flood level varies in volume and date, historically impacting agriculture and livelihoods.
• Lake Victoria is the first major reservoir in the Nile system, receiving significant water from rivers such as the Kagera and contributing outflow to the Victoria Nile.
• The White Nile provides a steady water supply throughout the year, with the Sobat River from Ethiopia playing a significant role in its water volume.
• The Blue Nile, the most important Ethiopian tributary, has a more rapid floodwater passage into the mainstream and is instrumental in bringing the Nile flood to Egypt.
• The Atbara River, originating in Ethiopia, receives floodwater from the northern part of the Ethiopian Plateau and contributes to the Nile flood.
• Lake Nasser, formed by the Aswan High Dam, acts as a reservoir for the Nile flood, with most water inflow coming from the Ethiopian Plateau. Evaporation losses occur due to the hot and dry climate in the region.

Plants & Animals

• Plant life in the Nile basin is classified into several zones based on rainfall, with tropical rainforests present along the Nile-Congo split, in portions of the Lake Plateau, and in southeastern Ethiopia.
• Thick forests with a diverse range of trees and plants, including rubber, bamboo, ebony, banana, and coffee shrubs, characterize tropical rainforest habitats.
• Mixed woodland and grassland (savanna) dominate large parts of the Lake Plateau, Ethiopian Plateau, the fringes of the Blue Nile near Al-Ruṣayriṣ, and the southern Al-Ghazāl River region.
• A mixture of thin bushes, thorny trees, and open grassland dominates the Sudanese plains. The Al-Sudd region in central South Sudan experiences swampy conditions during the rainy season.
• North of latitude 10° N, a belt of thorny savanna or orchard shrub country prevails, characterized by small scattered tree stands, thornbush, and grass and herbs after rainfall.
• North of this belt, rainfall decreases, and the vegetation thins out, resulting in small thorny shrubs, mostly acacias. From Khartoum northward, desert conditions prevail with minimal rainfall and no permanent vegetation.
• In Egypt, the vegetation near the Nile is primarily a result of irrigation and cultivation.
• The Nile system is home to various fish species, including the Nile perch, bolti, barbel, catfish, elephant-snout fish, tigerfish, Haplochromis, lungfish, and mudfish.
• The Nile crocodile, soft-shelled turtle, monitor lizards, and several snake species, more than half of which are venomous, are among the reptiles found in the Nile basin.
• The hippopotamus was originally distributed across the Nile system but is now found primarily in the Al-Sudd region and further south.
• The construction of the Aswan High Dam has impacted fish populations, with many species declining or disappearing. At the same time, Lake Nasser has become a thriving commercial fishery for Nile perch and other species.
• The outflow of waterborne nutrients from the Nile to the eastern Mediterranean has significantly reduced due to the dam, affecting anchovy populations.
• Irrigation in Egypt originated along the Nile. The slope of the land from south to north and the slight downward slope from the riverbanks to the desert made irrigation from the Nile feasible.
• The traditional basin irrigation method was employed in Egypt, where fields on the flat floodplain were divided into large basins. 
• The basins were inundated during the annual Nile flood, and the water lingered on the fields for up to six weeks. The water would then drain away, leaving a rich Nile silt deposit for farming.
• Perennial irrigation largely replaced the basin method, where water is controlled and made to run into the land at regular intervals throughout the year. 
• The construction of barrages, waterworks, and the completion of the Aswan High Dam made this possible.
• In Sudan, traditional irrigation methods, such as basin irrigation from Nile floods, were used to a limited extent. However, they were gradually replaced by diesel-engined pumps along the banks of
• Perennial irrigation in Sudan began in 1925, with the building of the dam and barrage on the Blue Nile near Sannr. 
• This led to the irrigation of the Al-Jazīrah area between the two Niles south of Khartoum and encouraged the construction of more dams and barrages for large-scale irrigation schemes.

DAMS AND RESERVOIRS

• In 1843, diversion dams (barrages or weirs) were constructed across the Nile at the head of the delta, marking the beginning of modern irrigation in the Nile valley. The delta barrage scheme was completed in 1861 and extended and improved.
• The initial dam at Aswan was built between 1899 and 1902 and later expanded in 1908-1911 and 1929-1934. 
• The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, is located 600 miles upstream of Cairo and provides water control, hydroelectric power, and flood protection.
• The Aswan High Dam faced controversy and criticism, including concerns about downstream erosion, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and rising water tables. 
• However, proponents argue that dependable water and power supply benefits outweigh these concerns.
• During dry seasons, the Sennar Dam on the Blue Nile in Sudan as well as other dams like Jabal al-Awliya and Khashm al-Qirbah, provide irrigation water, hydroelectric power, and enhanced water supplies for Egypt.
• The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was started on the Blue Nile in 2011 by Ethiopia, sparking controversy due to concerns about downstream water supply consequences in Sudan and Egypt.
• Lake Victoria in Uganda was turned into a reservoir by completing the Owen Falls Dam (now Nalubaale Dam) in 1954, providing water storage and hydroelectric power.
• The Nile River remains an essential waterway for transportation, especially during the flood season when motor transport is not feasible.
• River steamers are crucial for transportation in Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, where towns are often situated near riverbanks.
• Steamer service and its tributaries on the Nile extend for over 2,400 kilometers throughout Sudan and South Sudan. 
• The river is navigable in Sudan in three sections, the most important of which runs from South Sudan’s Khartoum to Juba.
• In Egypt, sailing vessels and shallow-draft river steamers may navigate the Nile as far south as Aswan, while small boats are regularly utilized in the Nile and delta waters.

STUDY AND OBSERVATION

• The ancient Egyptians had limited knowledge of the Nile, with little exploration beyond Aswān and no interest in exploring the White Nile. 
• Greek historians and geographers such as Herodotus and Eratosthenes made some progress in understanding the Nile’s route and suggested lakes as its source.
• Exploration of the Nile basin began in the 17th century, with Pedro Páez locating the source of the Blue Nile in 1618 and James Bruce visiting Lake Tana and the source of the Blue Nile in 1770.
• Modern exploration of the Nile basin started in the 19th century with the Ottoman conquest of Sudan by Muḥammad Ali and his sons. 
• Expeditions under Selim Bimbashi reached the area beyond present-day Juba, and traders and missionaries established stations in southern Sudan.
• Reports of lakes and an inland sea increased interest in the Nile’s source. English explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke followed a trade route and reached Lake Tanganyika. 
• At the same time, Speke later discovered Lake Victoria and believed it to be the source of the Nile.
• Speke’s journey was followed by an expedition in 1860 by Speke and James A. Grant, who discovered the Kagera River and saw the Virunga Mountains. 
• They reached Ripon Falls and identified Lake Victoria as the source of the Nile.
• The journey was continued by Florence von Sass and Sir Samuel White Baker. 
• They discovered Lake Albert, while Henry Morton Stanley explored Lake Victoria and traveled down the Congo River .
• Gen. Charles George Gordon and his officers, between 1874 and 1877, further mapped the Nile, including Lake Albert, and Charles Chaillé-Long discovered Lake Kyoga.
• Exploration and mapping efforts continued over the years, with further studies on the Blue Nile’s upper gorges in the 1960s.

Nile River Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Nile River across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Nile River. It is approximately 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers) long and drains an area of roughly 1,293,000 square miles.

Download includes the following worksheets:

• River Nile Facts
• Tracing River Nile
• River Nile Word Search
• Fact or Bluff
• River Nile in History
• Cause and Effect
• Livelihood Along the River
• Compare and Contrast
• Touring River Nile
• Significance of the River Nile
• I Learned…

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the nile river located.

The Nile River is located in northeastern Africa. It flows through several countries, including Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi.

What is the significance of the Nile River to ancient Egypt?

The Nile River was crucial to the development and sustenance of ancient Egypt. It provided fertile soil through annual flooding, which allowed for agricultural activities. The river also served as a transportation route, enabling trade and communication between different parts of the civilization.

How long is the Nile River?

The Nile River is approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles) long, making it one of the longest rivers in the world.

What are the two main tributaries of the Nile River?

The two main tributaries of the Nile River are the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile originates from Lake Victoria in East Africa, while the Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in the Ethiopian highlands. These two tributaries merge in Sudan to form the Nile River that flows into Egypt.

How does the Nile River impact the modern-day countries it flows through?

The Nile River continues to be of immense importance to the modern countries it flows through. It provides water for agriculture, drinking, and electricity generation. The river also supports diverse ecosystems and biodiversity. However, disputes over water usage and dam construction have led to diplomatic and political challenges among the countries sharing the Nile’s resources. Feel free to ask more questions if you have them or need further information!

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

The Nile River flows over 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) until emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. For thousands of years, the river has provided a source of irrigation to transform the dry area around it into lush agricultural land. Today, the river continues to serve as a source of irrigation, as well as an important transportation and trade route.

Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations

Women and Children on the Banks of the Nile

Even today, families come to the banks of the Nile River to gather water for their day, against the backdrop of ancient Egyptian ruins.

Photograph by David Boyer

The Nile River flows from south to north through eastern Africa. It begins in the rivers that flow into Lake Victoria (located in modern-day Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya), and empties into the Mediterranean Sea more than 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) to the north, making it one of the longest river in the world. The Nile River was critical to the development of ancient Egypt. In addition to Egypt, the Nile runs through or along the border of 10 other African countries, namely, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Its three main tributaries are the White Nile , the Blue Nile , and the Atbara. The soil of the Nile River delta between El Qâhira (Cairo) and the Mediterranean Sea is rich in nutrients, due to the large silt deposits the Nile leaves behind as it flows into the sea. The banks of the Nile all along its vast length contain rich soil as well, thanks to annual flooding that deposits silt. From space, the contrast between the Nile's lush green river banks and the barren desert through which it flows is obvious. For millennia, much of Egypt's food has been cultivated in the Nile delta region. Ancient Egyptians developed irrigation methods to increase the amount of land they could use for crops and support a thriving population. Beans, cotton, wheat, and flax were important and abundant crops that could be easily stored and traded. The Nile River delta was also an ideal growing location for the papyrus plant. Ancient Egyptians used the papyrus plant in many ways, such as making cloth, boxes, and rope, but by far its most important use was in making paper. Besides using the river's natural resources for themselves and trading them with others, early Egyptians also used the river for bathing, drinking, recreation, and transportation. Today, 95 percent of Egyptians live within a few kilometers of the Nile. Canals bring water from the Nile to irrigate farms and support cities. The Nile supports agriculture and fishing. The Nile also has served as an important transportation route for thousands of years. Today, some residents of El Qâhira (Cairo) have begun using private speed boats, water taxis, or ferries to avoid crowded streets. Dams, such as the Aswân High Dam in Egypt, have been built to help to tame the river and provide a source of hydroelectric power. However, the silt and sediment that used to flow north, enriching the soil and building the delta, is now building up behind the dam instead. Instead of growing in size through the soil deposits, the delta is now shrinking due to erosion along the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, routine annual flooding no longer occurs along parts of the Nile. These floods were necessary to flush and clean the water of human and agricultural waste. As a result, the water is becoming more polluted. The Nile River also continues to be an important trade route, connecting Africa with markets in Europe and beyond.

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Where is the source of the Nile?

The Ruvyironza River of Burundi is regarded as the true and ultimate source of the Nile. The Ruvyironza is one of the upper branches of the Kagera River , which follows the Rwanda-Tanzania and Uganda-Tanzania borders into Lake Victoria.

The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be Lake Victoria, but the lake itself has feeder rivers of considerable size like the Kagera River.

• The Nile River is the longest river in the world.
• The Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
• The Nile has a length of about 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles)
• Its average discharge is 3.1 million litres (680,000 gallons) per second.
• The Nile basin is huge and includes parts of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Kinshasa), Kenya.
• The Nile receives its name from the Greek Neilos, which means a valley or river valley.

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Nile river facts

Discover this incredible natural wonder and invaluable source of life….

We’re off on an exciting adventure to northeast Africa to learn about one of the world’s most famous rivers – and you’re coming with us! So grab your passport, suncream and shades, and check out our fascinating Nile river facts …

• 1) Found in northeast Africa , the Nile has long been recognised as the longest river in the world – stretching a massive 6,695km ! There is some debate over this title, though – some scientists argue that the Amazon  river in South America is longer.
• 2)  The Nile is often associated with Egypt , but in fact, it flows through 11 countries: Tanzania , Uganda , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Rwanda , Burundi , Ethiopia , Kenya , Eritrea , South Sudan , Sudan and Egypt .

• 4) The Blue Nile and White Nile merge together in the city of Khartoum in Sudan. From there, the river continues to flow north through Egypt and, finally, into the Mediterranean Sea .
• 5) The Nile has been an important source of life for people throughout history. Around 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians  relied on the Nile for fresh water , food and transportation . It also provided them with fertile land to farm on…

• 7) The Nile no longer floods each year, however. This is because in 1970 the Aswan High Dam was built. This huge dam controls the flow of the river to generate electricity, irrigate (water) farms and provide homes with drinking water.
• 8) This fascinating river remains an invaluable source of life for Egyptians to this day. More than 95% of the country’s population depend on its water and live within a few miles of the river banks.

• 10) Such an incredible river is cause for celebration, wouldn’t you say? The Egyptians sure think so! Each year in August, they have a two-week holiday called ‘ Wafaa an-Nil ’ to celebrate the ancient flooding of the Nile – an important natural event which allowed their civilisation to grow!

Want to find out more about the world’s wonderful rivers? Then check out these top facts about rivers and put your knowledge to the test with our Rivers Quiz !

What do you think of our Nile river facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Very useful

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Omg this is brilliant I’m doing an oral about this and I never knew much about it but this has so much detail and it was taken time to do all the explanations wow I just can’t believe how incredible and how much things that I never knew about the Nile river.

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Im yr 7 and im learning about the nile river so i can use information from here well thats good and i have assessments coming up

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Why the Nile River Was So Important to Ancient Egypt

By: Patrick J. Kiger

Updated: July 27, 2023 | Original: July 12, 2021

When the Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the ancient Egyptians' land was "given them by the river," he was referring to the Nile , whose waters were essential to the rise of one of the world’s earliest great civilizations.

The Nile, which flows northward for 4,160 miles from east-central Africa to the Mediterranean, provided ancient Egypt with fertile soil and water for irrigation, as well as a means of transporting materials for building projects. Its vital waters enabled cities to sprout in the midst of a desert.

In order to benefit from the Nile, people who lived along its banks had to figure out how to cope with the river’s annual flooding. They also developed new skills and technology, from agriculture to boat and ship building. The Nile even played a role in the construction of the pyramids, the massive marvels that are among the most recognizable reminders of their civilization. Beyond practical matters, the vast river had a profound influence upon the ancient Egyptians’ view of themselves and their world, and shaped their religion and culture.

The Nile was "a critical lifeline that literally brought life to the desert," as Lisa Saladino Haney, assistant curator of Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, writes on the museum's website. "Without the Nile, there would be no Egypt," writes Egyptologist in his 2012 book, The Nile .

The Nile Was a Source of Rich Farmland

The Nile's modern name comes from the Nelios , the Greek word for river valley. But the ancient Egyptians called it Ar or Aur , meaning "black," a reference to the rich, dark sediment that the Nile's waters carried from the Horn of Africa northward and deposited in Egypt as the river flooded its banks each year in late summer. That surge of water and nutrients turned the Nile Valley into productive farmland, and made it possible for Egyptian civilization to develop in the midst of a desert.

The Nile Valley's thick layer of silt "transformed what might have been a geological curiosity, a version of the Grand Canyon, into a densely populated agricultural country," explains Barry J. Kemp in Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization .

The Nile was such a focal point to the ancient Egyptians that their calendar began the year with the first month of the flooding. The Egyptian religion even venerated a deity of flooding and fertility, Hapy , who was depicted as a chubby man with blue or green skin.

According to the UN’s Food And Agriculture Organization , ancient Egyptian farmers were one of the first groups to practice agriculture on a large scale, growing food crops such as wheat and barley, as well as industrial crops such as flax for making clothing. To get the most out of the Nile's waters, ancient Egyptian farmers developed a system called basin irrigation . They constructed networks of earthen banks to form basins, and dug channels to direct floodwater water into the basins, where it would sit for a month until the soil was saturated and ready for planting.

"It is obviously challenging if the land on which you have built your home and grow your food gets flooded by a river every August and September, as the Nile used to do before the Aswan High Dam," explains Arthur Goldschmidt, Jr., a retired Penn State University professor of Middle East history and the author of A Brief History of Egypt . "Creating dikes, channels and basins to move and store some of the Nile waters required ingenuity and probably much trial-and-error experimentation for the ancient Egyptians."

To predict whether they faced dangerous floods or low waters that could result in a poor harvest, the ancient Egyptians built nilometers —stone columns with markings that would indicate the water level.

The River Served as a Vital Transportation Route

In addition to nurturing agriculture, the Nile provided ancient Egyptians with a vital transportation route. As a result, they became skilled boat and ship builders who created both large wooden craft with sails and oars , capable of traveling longer distances, and smaller skiffs made of papyrus reeds attached to wooden frames . 

Artwork from the Old Kingdom , which existed from 2686 to 2181 B.C., depicts boats transporting cattle, vegetables, fish, bread and wood. Boats were so important to the Egyptians that they buried deceased kings and dignitaries with boats that sometimes were so well-constructed that they could have been used for actual travel on the Nile.

The Nile Valley as Part of Identity

The Nile influenced how Egyptians thought of the land in which they lived, according to Haney. They divided their world into Kemet , the "black land" of the Nile Valley, where there was enough water and food for cities to thrive. In contrast, the hot, dry desert areas were Deshret, the "red land." They linked the Nile Valley and oases in the desert areas with life and abundance, while the deserts were associated with death and chaos.

The Nile also played an important role in the creation of the monumental tombs such as the Great Pyramid of Giza . An ancient papyrus diary of an official involved in the construction of the Great Pyramid describes how workers transported massive blocks of limestone on wooden boats along the Nile, and then routed the blocks through a canal system to the site where the pyramid was being constructed. 

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