Introduction
For many years rivers served as the major trade and travel route between European and Asian states. Most of the modern states on the continent were born within the basin of the largest rivers, since they were offering prosperity and economic well-being to the settlements nearby. While some of this importance of the rivers has declined thanks to highly developed transportation systems, rivers still play major role in European Economy in the fields like agriculture, energy producing or drinking water industry. This is why in this article we decided to bring you some of the longest rivers in Europe, that have played an important role in shaping the continent in a way that we know today.
Why Rivers are Important Features of European Economy?
You might think that the mankind is developed enough not to be dependent on natural resources like rivers or lakes, but this is not entirely true. Most of the industries, even high-tech industries, are majorly dependent on water resources. There are many reasons why rivers are important in development of our ecosystem as well as our economy.
First of all, rivers are the major suppliers of fresh water. Most of the times drinking water that we use to buy in the markets and shops are produced from the river water. In fact, 75% of all drinking water around the world is produced from the rivers.
Secondly, rivers are widely-used in agriculture. You might know the history behind the Nile Delta and how it affected the development of ancient Egypt around the river. Well, this is not just one sole story. This is very much the reality for many of the other countries. Rivers are major players in agriculture, especially when it comes to irrigation.
Thirdly, rivers generate power. While the world as well as Europe is moving towards more sustainable energy producing, like solar energy or windmills, rivers are still the most important players when it comes to power generation.
What are the Longest Rivers in Europe?
River Volga
The Volga River is the longest river in Europe and the 5th longest in the world. The river flows through Russia and Kazakhstan, with its biggest tributary being the Oka.
The Volga River is a major waterway of western Eurasia. It was important for trade routes, but also for cultural exchange between East and West. The river has been used as a political boundary, where it separates Russia from Kazakhstan.
Danube River
The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe and it is also called as “The Mother of Rivers”. It starts from the Black Forest in Germany and flows through France, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania.
The Danube River has a length of about 1,776 kilometers. It has a drainage basin that covers most of Central Europe. The river is navigable for most of its length and it divides into three main sections: Upper Danube in Germany; Middle Danube in Austria and Slovakia; Lower Danube in Romania.
Danube River has been important to humans since ancient times. It was used by Romans as a trade route to get salt from the Black Sea to Northern Europe. To know more about how to travel to Eastern European capitals through Danube river, visit the ETIAS Website.
Dnieper River
The Dnieper River is the third longest river in Europe and the ninth longest in the world. It is also one of the major rivers that flow into the Black Sea.
The Dnieper’s source lies in Belarus and it flows through Ukraine before emptying into the Black Sea near Odessa. Its main tributaries are the Pripyat River, with which it forms part of an extensive water system connected to Kiev Reservoir (the largest body of water in Ukraine).
Don River
The Don River is a river in southern Russia. It is the largest tributary of the Volga River. The Don originates in the Valdai Hills near Stary Oskol, flows south and southeast through Krasnodar Krai and on to join the Volga at Nizhny Novgorod.
The Don River is one of the most polluted rivers in Europe. With the increasing pollution and industrialization over the years, it has become a major source of water pollution. Pollution from factories and mining activities have made it difficult for fish to survive in this river.
Dniester River
The Dniester River is a river that flows through Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania. It is the longest tributary of the Danube.
The Dniester River has been an important waterway since ancient times. It was one of the main trade routes in Europe during the Roman Empire. The river also served as a border between Moldova and Ukraine until 1812 when Russia annexed Moldova and Ukraine.
The Dniester River provides drinking water to over 3 million people in Moldova, which makes it one of the most important rivers in Eastern Europe.
