The rivers of Europe have played an important role in world history as well as modern age globalization.The five major rivers of Europe are the Volga, the Danube, the Dnieper, the Don, and the Elbe. The Volga is the longest river in Europe, with a length of 2,293 mi (3,690.2 km).Europe’s second-longest river is the Danube River and emerges from the Black Forest region in Germany. Just like the Volga River, the Dnieper and Don rivers originate in the Russian Federation. In central Europe, the Elbe is a major river, running through Poland, Chez Republic, Bohemia, and Germany.Other water bodies in and around Europe are equally significant. On its borders, Europe is encircled by two oceans: the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It is also surrounded by two seas in the southern part: the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Within Europe, most of the rivers flow into the Baltic Sea, which is covered by European land on all sides. As per its name, the North Sea covers the northern regions of Europe. Much used during the Second World War, the English Channel lies strategically between France and England and is highly functional to date.Some of the most important European rivers on the continent are the Danube River, Dnieper River, Don River along with several other smaller rivers. While Volga River is the longest river in Europe followed by the Danube River.After reading about the important rivers in Europe, also check Texas facts and famous Poe poems.The Most Important Rivers In EuropeThe Volga is undoubtedly the longest and most important river in all of Europe. It flows through most of western Russia and is crucial to the lives of the Russian people. It has about 200 tributaries along the 2,293 mi (3,690.2 km) of its length.While the Volga, Dnieper, and Don rivers are significant to western Russia, the Danube River– the second longest European river – runs through central and eastern Europe.Danube River flows profitably through four national capitals - Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Belgrade. Throughout history, the Elbe River had marked territories for kingdoms but now flows peacefully through the green pastures of Poland, the Chez Republic, Bohemia, and Germany.Other great rivers in Europe include the Seine, which flows through Paris, and the banks of which have been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The river Rhine, which originates in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The Rhône River also originates in the Swiss Alps and divides into two parts: Little Rhône and Great Rhône. In Poland, the Oder River acts as a border between Poland and Germany.The longest river in France, the Loire, deserves a special mention, for it has a beautiful valley of its own – the well-known Loire Valley. It is a scenic place, with a wide variety of flora and fauna and an ideal landscape for growing wine – thriving off the water of the lengthy Loire River.The Largest River In EuropeEmerging in the Valdai Hills in the northwestern region of Moscow, the Volga River is the largest river in Europe. The Russians call it Mother Volga and consider it as the national river of the Russian Federation.Historically, the river was an important meeting place for the European and Asian communities. The tribes settled on the banks of river Volga and built houses and monasteries alongside it.The river played a key role in the movement of people from Asia to Europe and vice versa. Also, the river was crucial in the success of the Byzantine Empire’s commerce.It is only at the banks of the Volga River that flamingos, pelicans, and lotuses can be found in Russia. As Russia is a cold northern country, the river Volga freezes completely for three months each year.Also, as Russia comprises largely snowy terrain, the river gets 60% of its water from melting snow in the summer months. The rest of the water is obtained through rainfall and underground water from the rocks.The Tagus River DivisionThe Iberian Peninsula consists of the two countries of Spain and Portugal. The Tagus River is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, with a length of 626 mi (1,007.4 km). It emerges from the mountain ranges in mid-eastern Spain and flushes out into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon, Portugal.The river flows centrally through both Spain and Portugal. For 29 mi (46.6 km), it becomes the actual border between the two countries. As the river flows through semi-arid areas, most of the settlements in the country took place on the banks of the Tagus River.As the settlements grew into kingdoms on both sides of the river, the river’s water resources became a source of conflict between the two countries.Despite efforts made by both countries to settle the ongoing water dispute, the division over the Tagus River in the Iberian Peninsula has not yet been fully resolved.What separated Europe from Asia?Europe and Asia, collectively called Eurasia, are two continents joined by land. Countries like Russia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are known as Eurasian countries – countries that are a part of both Europe and Asia.These two continents are separated not only by culture and language but also by exact land territories and water bodies.The Ural Mountain ranges and the Caucasian region divide the two continents on land. The Ural River and the Turkish Straits divide Europe and Asia as water bodies.The Ural River is 1,509 mi (2,428.5 km) long and is the third-largest river in Europe after the Volga River and Danube River. The Ural River flows from Russia to Kazakhstan and acts as a border between Europe and Asia.The Turkish Straits connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea and also showcase a very narrow discontinuation of land between Europe and Asia geographically. They are the thin waterways between the small edges of European Turkey and Asian Turkey and provide an extremely beneficial maritime route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea and vice-versa.The rivers are arranged from the far northeast into the Arctic Ocean, following the shoreline anticlockwise all the way to the Black Sea’s southeastern coast.Virtual connections with northern Norway and across the Strait of Dover and the North Channel, respectively, connect Iceland and the British Islands. Finally, from Azerbaijan to the Ural River, rivers that are cruising into the Caspian Sea are enumerated. Through a complicated subsurface karst structure, the Trebinjica enters the Hutovo Blato wetland in Bosnia.A portion of its waters continues down the 5.6 mi (9 km) Krupa to the Neretva. On the coast, other parts show as outlets. There are small rivers such as Thaya that flow from Austria. This river flows from Austria to Morava. Countries that the longest river cruises through, these are arranged in the same way as the tributaries, from mouth to source as the river flows.The 141 mi (227 km) Sil cruises and flows into the Minho around 84.3 mi (135.6 km) before it reaches the sea.The upper Saône joins the 283 mi (455.4 km) long Doubs to produce the 106 mi (171 km) long Grand Saône, which cruises into the Rhône 208 mi (334.7 km) above its Mediterranean mouth.The Karlinbach, which originates under the Weißkugel and cruises into the Reschensee about 3.1 mi (5 km) below the official source under the Reschen Pass of the Adige/Etsch, is 10.6 mi (17 km) long.Moselotte is 30 mi (48.2 km) long and cruises into the Moselle, which is 340 mi (547 km) long.Moselle’s source is 27 mi (43.4 km) below sea level. This is a single river hydrologically, as it follows the river with the largest length, drainage area, and average discharge at both intersections. The West and South Moravas converge to form the Great Morava.The Ibar, which is 172 mi (276.8 km) long, joins the West Morava 56 mi (90.1 km) before becoming the Great Morava. The mouth of West Morava is in Kraljevo. There is a guided excursion for the major rivers that flow through six countries in the southern part. There are major that flow through Germany’s black forest and western Europe.The longest river in France, the Loire, deserves a special mention, for it has a beautiful valley of its own – the well-known Loire River Valley. It is a scenic place, with a wide variety of flora and fauna and an ideal landscape for growing wine – thriving off the water of the lengthy Loire River.Throughout history, the Elbe River had marked territories for kingdoms but now flows peacefully through the green pastures of Poland, the Chez Republic, Bohemia, and Germany.The river Rhine, which originates in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The Rhône River also originates in the Swiss Alps and divides into two parts: Little Rhône and Great Rhône.In Poland, the Oder River acts as a border between Poland and Germany.Along with the Danube River, the second-longest river, Elbe river, Oder, Tagus, Thames, Don river, and the Dnieper river these rivers are most famous for cruising purposes. There are also rivers flowing through European Russia which are popular for cruising trips organized by Viking river cruises.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for famous rivers in Europe then why not take a look at astounding animal self defense that will take you by surprise, or major rivers in Argentina!
The rivers of Europe have played an important role in world history as well as modern age globalization.
