Danube

The Danube is a river in Central and Southeastern Europe. The source of the Danube lies at the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers near Donaueschingen in the Black Forest. The mouth after 2857 km at the Black Sea and therefore the Danube is after the Volga the 2nd longest river of Europe.

The Danube flows through 10 (European) countries, more than any other river in the world.

The huge Danube delta covers approx. 800,000 ha, of which approx. 680,000 ha belong to Romania and approx. 120,000 ha to Ukraine. In some areas the northern arms of the Danube Delta are the border between Romania and Ukraine.

The Danube also flows through many unspoilt natural areas. The Danube has many well-known and large tributaries, of which the Tisza is the longest with approx. 1214 km. Other known rivers are: Save , Drava, Enns, Inn , Isar , Iller , Lech , March , Waag 

However, most of the major tributaries originate in the Eastern Alps and Carpathians.

History

The Danube is one of the oldest trade routes and connects different cultures. Throughout history, wars and political events have regularly led to tensions and closures in the Danube's catchment area.  Currently, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, shipping and other economic sectors are possible and active.

Already in the 7th century B.C. Greeks sailed in today's Constanta into the Danube, but ended at the Iron Gate of a dangerous place in the Danube. For the Romans, the Danube ( Danuvius ) from its source to its mouth was the border to the peoples above and an important transport route for the supply of the settlements. For a long time the Danube Limes was the northeastern border of the Roman Empire. 

The Danube was also the way for the Magyar migrating people, who together with the Slavs represent today's Hungary.

Budapest, Belgrade, Bratislava and Vienna are four European capitals on the Danube. Other large cities are Ulm, Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Linz, Novi Sad, Braila, Galati and many more.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator