What are the two largest rivers in the United States?

The two largest rivers in the United States, the Mississippi River and the Missouri River, are significant not only in terms of their length but also in their historical, economic, and environmental importance. The Mississippi River stretches approximately 2,340 miles and is renowned for its role in the development of the American heartland, serving as a major transportation route for goods and settlers alike. The Missouri River, at about 2,341 miles, is the longest river in North America and is a tributary of the Mississippi.

Together, these rivers drain a substantial portion of the United States, contributing to the country's extensive river systems and impacting a variety of ecosystems and communities along their banks. Their size and flow capacity make them crucial for commerce, agriculture, and water supply, emphasizing why they are considered the largest rivers in the nation.

The other options include rivers that, while significant, do not match the size or the historical importance of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the context of the entire United States.