Rhine River Size report
The Rhine River originates from the foothills of the Alps in southeastern Switzerland, flows through Liechtenstein, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and flows into the North Sea near Rotterdam. With a total length of 1320 kilometers, it is the longest river in western Europe.
The Rhine is the longest river in Germany. The length of the Rhine River flowing through Germany is 865 kilometers, and the basin area accounts for 40% of the total area of Germany. It is the cradle of the development of German art and culture.
The Rhine is one of the great European rivers with historical significance and cultural traditions, as well as one of the world's most important industrial transport arteries. Shipping on the Rhine is very convenient and has always been one of the busiest rivers in the world. This post introduces more facts about the Rhine River.
Rhine River Introduction
The Rhine runs from its source in the Swiss Alps, travels north into Switzerland's Lake Constance (Europe's third-largest), over the surging Rhine Falls (among Europe's largest), and on to Basel, then serves as a natural border between Germany and France. At the Netherlands border, the Rhine splits into tributaries that cross an extensive delta and empty into the North Sea.
The Rhine River has become a major waterway transporting goods and raw materials. Numerous canals connect the Rhine with other major rivers, forming a waterway network extending in all directions. Shipping on the Rhine helps reduce the price of raw materials due to low freight rates, which is the main reason the Rhine is the main axis of the industrial production area. Currently, 1/5 of the world's chemical products are produced along the Rhine River. The Rhine River has long been the source of political disputes in Europe. Due to the increase in pollution levels, the international community is paying more attention to ecological protection along the Rhine River.
Courses Of the Rhine
The mainstream of the Rhine is divided into three sections. And the important tributaries of the Rhine come from the middle reaches, including the Aare, Moselle, Main, Ruhr, Lippe, etc.
- From the source to Basel, Switzerland is the upstream section, with narrow river valleys and steep slopes.
- The middle reaches from Basel to Bonn, Germany, and the main water supply is seasonal snowmelt;
- the downstream section flows from Bonn through the plains and lowland areas with gentle water flow.
Length
The length of the Rhine was long given as 820 miles (1,320 km), but in 2010 a shorter distance of about 765 miles (1,230 km) was proposed. The navigable mileage is nearly 900 kilometers, of which about 700 kilometers can travel a 10,000-ton seagoing ship.
The Rhine has abundant water throughout the year, and its navigable mileage has reached 886 kilometers in Basel, Switzerland. The Rhine River flows through the major industrial areas of Europe and is densely populated. The Rhine waterway is like a highway, with even milestones marked with kilometers at regular intervals.
The Rhine Basin Size
The Rhine River Basin covers an area of 173,000 square kilometers and flows through 9 European countries, all of which are developed countries. The population within the basin is about 54 million. Its catchment area, including the delta area, exceeds 85,000 square miles (220,000 square km).
Hydrology
The Alpine Rhine has high runoff in spring from snowmelt and high early summer maximum resulting from heavy summer rains. The water level of the Rhine is high all year round; the flow rate is slow. Most flowing areas have a temperate oceanic climate, with small temperature changes, high precipitation, and large flow. Spring and summer are flood seasons due to snow melting. Winters in the navigable regions of the Rhine river are generally mild, and the Rhine freezes only on exceptional days.
Final Words
For centuries, the Rhine has served as a political and cultural boundary. As early as 200 years ago, the poets and thinkers of the German Romantic period were fascinated by the charm of the Rhine and dedicated countless beautiful poems to her. In 2002, UNESCO declared the Rhine Valley a World Heritage Site, and people elsewhere began to learn about the place. The Rhine Valley's beautiful scenery attracts countless tourists to travel, spend a vacation, and recuperate there. There are still more than 50 castles and palaces on both sides of the Rhine. Countless poets, painters, and musicians have filled this valley, dotted with ancient castles, with magical colors.
