What is the longest river in the United States?

What is the longest river in the United States?

• A. Mississippi River
• B. Missouri River
• C. Yukon River
• D. Colorado River

Answer: (B)

The Missouri River is recognized as the longest river in the United States, stretching approximately 2,341 miles from its source in the Rocky Mountains of Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. This length makes it slightly longer than the Mississippi River itself, which is often mistakenly thought of as the longest due to its historical significance and larger watershed. The Missouri plays a crucial role in the geography and history of the United States, serving as a vital waterway for transportation, trade, and settlement. It flows through several states, including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, and has been integral to the development of the American West. Other rivers listed, such as the Yukon River and the Colorado River, while significant in their own right, do not match the length of the Missouri River. The Yukon River flows primarily in Canada and is mainly known for its importance in the Klondike Gold Rush, whereas the Colorado River is renowned for carving the Grand Canyon and providing water resources to the southwestern states. However, neither of these rivers surpasses the Missouri in length.

The Missouri River is recognized as the longest river in the United States, stretching approximately 2,341 miles from its source in the Rocky Mountains of Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. This length makes it slightly longer than the Mississippi River itself, which is often mistakenly thought of as the longest due to its historical significance and larger watershed.

The Missouri plays a crucial role in the geography and history of the United States, serving as a vital waterway for transportation, trade, and settlement. It flows through several states, including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, and has been integral to the development of the American West.

Other rivers listed, such as the Yukon River and the Colorado River, while significant in their own right, do not match the length of the Missouri River. The Yukon River flows primarily in Canada and is mainly known for its importance in the Klondike Gold Rush, whereas the Colorado River is renowned for carving the Grand Canyon and providing water resources to the southwestern states. However, neither of these rivers surpasses the Missouri in length.