Lying in the Central and the Western part of Europe, the Federal Republic of Germany has more than 7,000 km of
interconnected rivers flowing through the country.
Hydroelectricity generation, river cruises and recreational platforms are just a few of the activities this European nation has adopted to build it's economy.
Sharing its border with 9 other countries, Germany has at times used its rivers as a national
border as well. Now that is something not many nations boast of.
River Rhine
Rhein or Rhine is undoubtedly the most famous river in Germany.
The Rhine originates from Lake Tomasee and Paradis Glacier in Switzerland.
Covering a distance of 865 km on the German soil, the Rhine passes through the cities of
Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mannheim, Wiesbaden and Bonn to name a few.
Some of the finest
German architecture, including the magnificent castles perched on the hilltops, palaces and
vineyards lie along the banks of the Rhine.
The major tributaries of Rhine include Ill, Neckar, Main, Lahn, Moselle, Ruhr and Lippe.
First known as Albis in Latin, Elbe means ‘river’ or ‘river bed’ and it originates at
4,593 feet in the Krkonoše Mountains in Czech Republic.
River Elbe
The river then flows for about 1,112 kms and empties itself in the North Sea at Brunsbüttel in Germany.
The Elbe passes through
the Elbe Sandstone Massif, beautifully landscaped farmlands, a few wine villages, the artistic
cities of Dresden and Hamburg.
Legend has it, that in 1970, the remains of Adolf
Hitler were burnt and thrown in this river.
The major tributaries of Elbe include Vltava, Mulde, Saale, Ohře, Schwarze Elster and Havel.
River Weser
With a total length of 452 km, Weser is the longest river which originates and empties in
the German national territory.
The Weser passes through the German towns of Bremen, Minden & Bremerhaven.
The Weser is believed to have inspired the Brothers Grimm for some of their best known German fairy tales.
The river flows through the German Fairytale Road and tourists can check the castles of
Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel and the Piped Piper of Hamelin.
The major tributaries include Aller, Ulster, Diemel, Lesum and Geeste.
Classified as an international waterway, the Donau or Danube is the second longest river in Europe.
River Danube
Originating from Donaueschingen in Germany, Danube drains into the Black Sea at Danube Delta in Romania.
During its course,
the Danube flows through 10 different countries, making it a world record.
A cruise down the Danube will take you to the historic
ruins, religious monuments, the impressions left by Roman soldiers and beautiful sceneries along Deutschland.
The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which was completed in 1992, has
been an important part of trans-European waterway connecting the North Sea to the Black Sea.
The major tributaries include Tisza, Sava, Drava, Morava, Inn, Isar, Lech and Enns.
River Main
Derived from Latin Moenus or Menus, the river rises near Kulmbach in Franconia.
After flowing for 525 km the river finally discharges into the Rhine River in Wiesbaden.
The Main River is the longest tributary of the Rhine.
The Main along its navigable course has 34 dams and locks.
The major tributaries include Regnitz, Franconian Saale, Tauber and Nidda.