Final answer:
The source of the Nile River from Memphis is located to the south, originating from Lake Victoria (White Nile) and Lake Tana (Blue Nile). These tributaries converge in Khartoum and the river flows north through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.
Step-by-step explanation:
Starting from Memphis, the source of the Nile River is primarily located to the south. The Nile originates from two main tributaries: the White Nile, which flows from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile, originating from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The White Nile winds its way north through East Africa, while the Blue Nile begins in the Ethiopian Highlands. Both converge at Khartoum, Sudan, before the combined Nile continues to flow northward through Egypt, eventually emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
The civilization of ancient Egypt was fundamentally dependent on the Nile River, which served as the lifeblood of the region. The river's annual floods were predictable, providing essential nutrients and water for agriculture. This made Egypt's Nile River Valley one of the most fertile areas in the ancient world and allowed the civilization to flourish for thousands of years, evidenced by the enduring monuments such as the pyramids and the Sphinx.