Do Rivers Always Flow South? | Smartest Year Ever (Feb 5, 2025)
About this episode
There’s a myth that rivers always flow south, but here’s the truth: rivers flow in whatever direction gravity pulls them. The Nile River flows north—not because it’s defying the rules, but because it’s following the land’s natural slope. And it’s not alone. At least 48 rivers in the U.S. flow north, and plenty more around the world.
Today, Gordy clears up this geographical misconception and breaks down why we think of rivers as only moving south.
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