Rivers in Germany have become an important asset for the nation. These rivers have helped to develop a well-connected network of inland navigation system, which handles a large part of the trade and transportation. At the same time, they also prove to be excellent platforms for activities, such as boat cruises in the beautiful surroundings of the country.
The Danube is the longest river in Germany, and the second longest in Europe, with a length of 1,777 miles. Its catchment basin is spread over an area of 315,445 sq. miles. It originates in the Black Forest in Germany, flows through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine; and drains into the Black Sea. In its initial course, it passes through German cities like Ulm, Ingolstadt, Regensburg and Passau. It is the only river to flow through the capital cities of four countries, namely, Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia). The Iron Gate gorge on the Danube river, demarcates the border between Romania and Serbia.
The Rhine, also known as Rhein, is the second longest river in Germany. It flows through Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Originating in the Tomasee Lake, in the Swiss Alps, it flows for 820 miles before draining into the North Sea, near Rotterdam in Netherlands. Its prominent tributaries are Aare, Neckar, Main, Moselle and Ruhr. It has a catchment area of 65,638 sq. miles. In Germany, it passes through major cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf and Duisburg.
The Elbe, also known as die Elbe, is a 678 mile long river flowing through Germany. The river originates in the Karkonosze mountain range in Czech Republic. Its catchment basin is spread over an area of 57,247 sq. miles. Its important tributaries are Vltava, Mulde, Saale, Ohre, Schwarze Elster and Havel. It flows through German cities of Dresden, Meissen, Dessau, Magdeburg, Wittenberg and Hamburg and drains in the North Sea near Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony.
The Elbe provides a useful transport alternative to interior Europe, in the form of inland waterways. With numerous dams in its course, it is a good source of potable water. In German history, this river was considered to be the border between East and West Germany.
The Weser is a navigable river in the north-west region of Germany. Originating in Hann. Münden, in Lower Saxony, it is formed due to the confluence of Fulda and Werra. After flowing for a distance of 196 miles, it drains itself into North Sea, near Bremerhaven. It has a catchment area of 28,773 sq. miles. The most prominent tributaries of this river include Aller, Ulster, Lesum and Fulda. It passes through the German cities of Bremerhaven, Bremen, Minden, and Kassel. The river course has been altered for a stretch of 84 miles between Minden and Bremen, making the river navigable for heavy ships.
German river cruises are famous throughout the world, and this doesn't come as a surprise, with presence of rivers like the Rhine and the Danube, in Germany. The river cruise on the Rhine takes you through magnificent cities like Dusseldorf and Cologne, while the Elbe river cruise makes you experience the utmost beauty of cities like Hamburg, Magdeburg and Dresden. Over the years, these rivers have inspired many paintings and poems, and they will continue to do so for a long time to come