What is the largest river in the European Union?

The Danube is the largest river in the European Union, both in terms of length and watershed, and in terms of its historical and cultural importance. Stretching some 2,860 kilometers, it is the second longest river in Europe, after the Volga.

The Danube rises in Germany’s Black Forest, where the Brigach and Breg rivers join at Donaueschingen to form the river. It then flows through nine other countries: Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine, before emptying into the Black Sea. This crossing of ten countries makes it the most international river in the world.

The Danube watershed covers an area of some 805,000 square kilometers, encompassing parts of 19 countries. Its main tributaries are the Inn, Drava, Save, Tisza and Prut. These tributaries contribute to its average flow, which is around 6,500 cubic meters per second at its mouth.

The Danube plays a crucial role in river transport, linking the markets of Central and Eastern Europe to the Black Sea. It is a major waterway for the transport of goods and passengers. The river is also an essential source of drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric power for the countries along its banks.

Ecologically, the Danube is home to a rich biodiversity, with numerous species of fish, birds and plants. The Danube delta, located mainly in Romania and Ukraine, is a UNESCO World Heritage wetland of global importance.

The Danube has been a natural frontier and an essential communication route since ancient times. It played a strategic role for the Roman Empire and was a major trade route for centuries. The river has inspired many artists, musicians and writers. Johann Strauss II’s waltz The Blue Danube is one of the most famous musical works associated with the river.

Despite its importance, the Danube faces a number of environmental challenges, including industrial and agricultural pollution, regulation of its course for navigation and energy, and loss of biodiversity. International efforts, coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), aim to preserve and restore the river’s ecosystem.

The Danube is the largest river in the European Union. It flows through ten countries and plays an essential economic, ecological and cultural role. Its preservation is essential for future generations, both for human populations and for the biodiversity it shelters.

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