The Nile River was very important for ancient Egyptian civilization. It is the second longest river in the world and flows through Egypt, flooding annually and depositing rich soil that made the land highly fertile for agriculture. The flooding and fertile soil allowed Egyptians to farm successfully and have a reliable source of food and water. The river was also the primary transportation route and source of drinking water. Without the predictable flooding and resources provided by the Nile, Egyptian civilization would not have been able to develop or thrive.