Major Rivers of the Middle East: Nile, Tigris, Euphrates, Jordan, Orontes

1. Nile River (Iteru / An-Nīl)

• Length: ~6,650 km (longest globally).
• Flows: South→North through 11 countries; Egypt & Sudan most dependent.
• Role: 95% of Egypt's water; agriculture, transport, hydropower (Aswan Dam).

2. Tigris River

• Turkey → Iraq → Shatt al-Arab. Eastern Mesopotamia border. Baghdad, Mosul.

3. Euphrates River

• Turkey → Syria → Iraq → Shatt al-Arab. Western Mesopotamia border. Babylon, Fallujah.

4. Jordan River

• Lebanon → Sea of Galilee → Dead Sea. Israel/Jordan/West Bank border. Religious significance. Water disputes.

5. Orontes River (Asi / Al-ʿĀṣī)

• Lebanon → Syria (Homs, Hama) → Turkey (Antakya) → Mediterranean.
• Ancient kingdoms (Ebla, Ugarit); Antioch on banks. Agriculture, hydropower.

These five rivers—especially the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates pair, and Jordan—have sustained civilization for 7,000+ years and remain flashpoints for cooperation and conflict.