Atbara

The Atbara River is a river in northeast Africa, originating in the Ethiopian Highlands and flowing approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) to join the Nile River in northern Sudan. It is the last major tributary to enter the Nile before it reaches Egypt.

The Atbara is also known as the Black Nile, likely due to the dark silt it carries during flood season. It flows through Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Its drainage basin covers approximately 69,000 square kilometers. The river is formed by the confluence of the Tekezé River (also known as the Setit) and the Gash River (Mareb).

The Atbara is highly seasonal in its flow. During the dry season, from January to June, it can be reduced to a series of pools and may even dry up completely in some stretches. However, during the rainy season in the Ethiopian Highlands (typically from June to September), the river swells dramatically, contributing significantly to the Nile's annual flood. This seasonal fluctuation in flow makes the Atbara a crucial factor in the agricultural cycles along the Nile.

The river has historically posed challenges to transportation and communication due to its unpredictable flow. However, the Atbara Dam, completed in 2017, has helped to regulate the river's flow, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power to Sudan. This dam, located near the town of Atbara, is one of the largest engineering projects in Sudan.

The Atbara River plays a significant role in the ecology and agriculture of the region, supporting a variety of plant and animal life and providing water for irrigation and domestic use. Its seasonal floods have historically deposited fertile silt along its banks, contributing to the agricultural productivity of the surrounding land.