What continent is the Danube River on? - Quora Quora Written Mar 10, 2016 The Danube is in Europe or Eurasia, depending on who you ask. It starts in Souther Germany, crosses northern Austria through Vienna, crosses into Slovakia and through Bratislavia, follows the Slovak-Hungary border to turn south to cut across Budapest, splits Hungary, crosses down the Croat-Serb border and makes a turn East to pass through Belgrade, where it joins up with the Sava, continues to follow the Serb-Romanian and then the Romanian-Bulgarian border until it cuts across the tail of Romania North, and then flows into the Black Sea. 50 Views River Danube — CANOEING THE CONTINENT Thanks River Danube Photographs taken during the Canoeing the Continent Expedition giving a visual insight into time on the River Danube. The Danube is Europes second longest river and an excellent place to canoe or kayak. The journey was a staggering 3000 miles across Europe from the Atlantic to the Black Sea.

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9 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 Danube FAQ — CANOEING THE CONTINENT Thanks Danube FAQ Frequently asked questions regarding exploring the river Danube.

If you are thinking about canoeing or kayaking on the river Danube, particularly a long distance journey. The Danube is Europe's second longest river and is an excellent place to canoe and kayak. The information is answers given by the two men who canoed 3000 miles across Europe taking in ten countries and countless waterways. If you want information on paddling the Danube, this is the place to look. Canoeing on the Danube The Danube is Europe's second longest river and undergoes dramatic changes throughout its course. Though big, it is paddled fairly regularly each summer, particularly from Germany through to Hungary. There is also the organised Tour International Danube each year, a huge regatta where a large group paddle the entire length of the river. Their itinerary is extremely useful and can be found here . Below are probably just a few of your questions, so if you want to know more just get in touch through our contact page . What maps did you use? For the Danube we used the BIKELINE maps for the DANUBE CYCLE PATH (donauradweg) which come in a range of languages and can be ordered online.

These maps cover the entire river and are a fantastic scale providing great detail. The maps also act as a concise guide book giving tid-bits of historic information along route. You need nothing more than these maps with the exception of the final 300kms of the Danube where the cycle path leaves the river in Romania. If you plan to canoe this section it is important to get another, up to date, map since the river here is awash with islands and difficult to navigate. To find such maps we suggest you contact Tour International Danube (TID) who apparently provide specific maps for this section. Do you need a river permit? No. The Danube is an international waterway and permits are not required. There are certain rules for individual countries that should be adhered to however. In serbia national flags must be flown (or an equivalent sticker on the canoe). In Austria life jackets must be worn at locks or dams (we strongly suggest you wear lifejackets the entire time, however. We did). In Germany you should have a boat name and address clearly marked on the vessel and should be affiliated with a canoeing body (for us membership of the British Canoe Union (BCU)). Where are there dams on the river?

The Danube has more than 100 Dams with most in Germany and Austria, quickly petering out thereafter. All of these dams and locks are well signposted and some have buoys that lead you to the river bank. The Tour International Danube publishes its anual itinerary which features all there camp points, along with all obstacles and locks including what bank you should pull in for portage (L or R) and what distance marker the Portage should begin. This information is accurate and definitely worth using, it can be found here on their 2013 PDF file. N.B. On TIDs itinerary for 12.07.13 in location named 'Cunovo' the description is to portage on the right bank to the old Danube river bed. This complicated section of the itinerary is deceiving since there are really two options on the right hand side, you can go 'far right' or to a large dam that is on the right hand side but does not go all the way to the river-bank. It is for this dam you want to head and once closer you will find sign posts to help you with the portage.

In short: at 1852 go right but head for the dam not for the river-bank, here there are signs for canoes. How do I get around the dams? There are a two ways around the locks. At most you must carry or wheel your canoe. There will be a ramp, or a series of steps which you can use. Sometimes there will be a trolley waiting there for you and you can wheel your canoe around the dam, and down to a similar dock on the far side of the dam. If there is no trolley, there might be one on the far side, so it could be worth a walk around to see. On some dams there are shoots that you can slide down in your canoe. Sometimes you will see a bell and rope on the bank near one of these banks or a lever to pull. By ringing the bell you alert the control tower who will open the gate for you. Once this has lowered and the green light shows you can plummet down the ramp. If, like us, you find you are not canoeing during tourist season there may be no one there to operate the ramp.

For this you can either carry around or (be cheeky) and go down the slide anyway even though theres not much water on it. but be careful because you don't want to get stuck! The two locks in Serbia/Romania marked as Djerdap I and II are the only places you may have problems. The lock keepers do not want to deal with canoes and there is no sign posted set up here. We got shooed away from the lock on either side of the dam but eventually convinced the Romanian side to let us in with a cruise ship and go down in the lock. At the second we chatted and were slowed by countless members of authority but were eventually allowed to walk around and place our canoe back in the river on the other side. With these locks prepare for a long wait and a lot of talking, ultimately you have a right to be allowed passed. Are there other obstacles on the river? River Traffic is around but as the river widens they pose less of a problem. From Germany to Hungary the traffic is far worse then further downstream and is certainly something to be aware of. There are cruise ships, tankers and some smaller speed boats that you can often hear from fairly far away.

Generally try and keep to the right and always stay aware of whats going on around and behind you. We joined the Danube at Kelheim but we are informed that in the first 200km or so from the source the river passes many light rapids, which do have the potential to damage canoes and kayaks if paddlers are not careful. From Kelheim onwards, however, there are no rapids What are the border formalities? Up until the Hungary/Serbia border you are travelling in the Shengan Zone and do not need to do anything when you cross borders. Leaving Hungary you need to be aware and look for the port customs at the nearest town to each border. Leaving Hungary there is a large building on the right hand bank with flags flying and here you 'check out' of the country. In the next town there are similar flags flying on the left side of the river where you can stop and 'check in' to Serbia. This procedure is the same for all borders. Before leaving a country you get stamped out and entering each country you get stamped in. As an international waterway you should not have to pay for your passage on the water at any borders.

However, in Serbia we were charged a fee since we were deemed a leisure boat and had to pay a government charge. Still not sure whether we were conned on that one or not! We were aware of kayakers in the past who had not needed any paperwork but us, in our canoe, were told we required a crew list for each country. This was a form we were given at each customs office which we would fill out stating our names and information about the canoe (its length, width, make, e.t.c.). It is this form which we stamped in and out at each border. In short: at each border look for a customs office which will be on the riverside in the closest town. Stop and tell them what you are doing, showing your passports. As an international waterway they will let you pass. How long will it take? The average distance per day varies greatly and obviously depends a lot on how much you stop and what you want to see on route. That said, at least 60kms a day was pretty standard with the exception of the slow water for the 100kms upstream of the Djerdap dams in Serbia. Our longest day was just over 80kms.

From Kelheim the Danube took us 45 days. The Tour International Danube have an itinerary of 65 days - perhaps more realistic if you want to spend a good amount of time in towns and cities. Canoe storage when stopping briefly? Take a long bike lock. When leaving the canoe we would always lock it to something using a long bike lock and took our paddles with us. As for leaving bags in the canoe, we learnt this lesson the hard way. Admittedly the city of Tour on the river Loire is no small village, but we had loads of our gear stolen from our dry bags, including tent and sleeping bags, when we visited the city for an afternoon. From then on whenever we stopped anywhere we locked the canoe and took both of our large dry bags with us. That meant the canoe was left alone with only food in it, easily replaced. Other than Tour we never encountered any problems. Canoe storage at night? Canoe club and rowing clubs are fairly frequent from Germany to Hungary and many offer good camping facilities. The TID camping locations, marked on their itinerary, can be useful for this. These are good secure places to stay and meet like minded people.

All along the Danube you can find wild camping spots and the further down the river you go the easier this becomes. By Bulgaria and Romania you can camp almost anywhere. We did plenty of wild camping but be aware it is not legal in Germany or Austria so be particularly careful there. Here we simply slept with the canoe rolled over next to our tent. We could also store a few things under it at night time to keep them dry, sometimes using a bike lock to hold everything safely together. Canoe storage in cities? Again, use a trusty bike lock and lock the canoe to something. As in the previous question canoe and rowing clubs are ideal places to store your canoe safely. The people there are like minded and keen to help you out. If you are not staying in a club or campsite our advice is NOT to lock the canoe and leave it by the river while you stay in a hotel. Talk to the hotel and ask them about storage, ask in the tourist info, but for safety in the city be sure to find somewhere. We often used the friendly people on or - online communities set up by travellers to help travellers. If your in need of a friend to help you out abroad, these are the websites to use.

What are the options for the delta? Since we did not follow the delta our answer is quoted from the following website: "here are three. At Tulcea the channel splits into three main navigation routes, the Bystroe route in the north, Sulina route in the middle and Sfantul Gheorghe route in the south. In addition to this there are literally hundreds of sub channels crossing all through the delta, so you could pick out a route of your own based on one of the three main channels. Take care coming off the main routes as good navigation or sheer luck is needed – we had more of the second. Still, I would highly recommend getting into these narrow channels if you can, as it will surprise you what you find! From research and local advice we chose the southern channel to Sfantul Gheorghe route. It was a truly magic route, which I would highly recommend. The village of Sfantul Gheorghe is laid back, small…and perfect. There is a superb campsite in town or fancy lodge options if you feel you earned it!

Mid-August there is a very alternative film festival in this village, with an excellent party to boot, so if you can time your arrival to coincide with this it will be a fitting end. On the other routes, the northern route is probably the least frequented. Ending in the town of Bystroe takes in some Ukrainian towns, so if you have a visa it could be very interesting place to travel. The central route to Sulina is the main cargo channel, so may be easiest to navigate and holds the true end point of the Danube in a lighthouse, so if you’re a purist, perhaps this is your one." What about the Danube-Black Sea Canal? The Black Sea Canal is a 45km shortcut that took us from the Danube to the Black Sea avoiding the delta. If you are not in a rush our advice would certainly be to take the river route to the sea, taking in the famously spectacular scenery. The canal, however, is accessible to canoes and kayaks with one lock at either end if you choose to take this route. You are not permitted to enter the locks and there is no set up for portaging, for this you just have to clamber up the banks and do it yourself.

The canal is also called the canal of death due to the great number of slave labourers who died there in poor conditions. It is a grim and eerie place. It is a very unique experience but not an entirely pleasant one. Where it finishes in Agigea we were forbidden access near and beyond the lock since it is a large port. To reach the sea is therefore a particularly long portage. Do I need a water purifier? We took chlorine tablets which we did use fairly often from Serbia onwards. However, you can certainly get by without simply by having a decent amount of water storage and topping up whenever you get the chance. For safety it is always best to carry something, just in case. Have more questions? Through what countries does the Danube River flow? | Reference.com Through what countries does the Danube River flow? A: Quick Answer The Danube River flows through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Its headwaters begin with the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers in the town of Donaueschingen in western Germany's mountainous Black Forest region and empties into the Black Sea at the Danube Delta in western Ukraine.

Full Answer The Danube River flows for a total of 1,770 miles, making it the European Union's longest river and the European continent's second longest river after the Volga. This river passes through many important cities, including four national capitals: Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary; and Belgrade, Serbia. The Danube's drainage basin covers an area of 315,000 square miles and extends into several more countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, the Republic of Macedonia and Albania. The Danube was home to some of the earliest human cultures in Europe, and its long navigable length has made it an important highway for trade and war for thousands of years. It was a prize for which the Ottoman, Hungarian and Austrian Empires contended for hundreds of years. Today, it is still a major thoroughfare for trade, and it also provides drinking water for around 20 million people. People also use the Danube for fishing and for tours of the historical riches along its length.

The Danube River - WorldAtlas.com Geography The Danube River Originating in the Black Forest of Germany, at 1,777 miles long the Danube is Europe's second longest river. The Danube as it runs through Budapest and past the Hungarian National Parliament buildings therein. 5. Description Europe’s second longest river after the Volga, the Danube arises at the confluence of its headwaters, the Brigach and Breg Rivers, near the town of Donaueschingen in the Black Forest region of Germany. The river flows for a distance of around 2,857 kilometers, passing through 10 European countries along the way, and draining an area of 817,000 square kilometers, before finally draining into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta, which is shared between Romania and Ukraine. Romania shares 29% of the Danube’s river basin. Hungary, Serbia, and Austria each share approximately 10% of the river’s basin, while Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, the Ukraine, and Moldova each share less than 10% of the Danube’s watershed. 4.

Historical Role The Danube River has always played a prominent role in shaping the history of ancient Europe. Evidences of certain early human cultures, including the Danubian Neolithic culture and the Vučedol culture, have been found in the river basin. Greek sailors exploited the river as early as the 7th Century BCE for trade purposes, while the Roman Empire used the river to define parts of the frontier boundaries of its kingdom. Fortresses and castles were built by the Romans on the river, and Roman fleets would patrol the river in efforts to defend the empire from its many tribal enemies living on the other side. The Ottoman Empire also used the Danube for defensive purposes in the later centuries to come. However, in the early 19th Century, the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Maria Theresa, recognized the potential of the Danube as a trade route, and thus started operating riverboats carrying cargo upon the river. In the following years, several treaties were signed and conventions were held to determine and discuss the sharing of the Danube’s waters. As a result of years and years of such negotiations, currently only those countries bordering the river are allowed exclusive rights to access the water resources of the Danube. 3.

Modern Significance Today, the Danube River is like a lifeline for much of Europe, providing drinking water to over 20 million people and housing more than 83 million people in its watershed. The ten countries sharing the waters of the Danube use the river for navigation, hydroelectric power generation, fishing, and the irrigation of farmlands alike. Water needed for industrial and domestic uses are also extracted from this river. Izmayil in Ukraine, Ruse in Bulgaria, Budapest in Hungary, and Vienna in Austria are some of the important port cities based along the river. A number of navigation channels have been constructed along the river, including the Danube–Black Sea Canal and the Main–Danube Canal, facilitating the transport of people and goods along and across the river. The Ðerdap (Djerdap) High Dam and the Iron Gate power station, situated between Serbia and Romania, is the largest hydroelectric power-generating project on the Danube. The Danube River Basin is also riddled with significant tourist spots.

As a result, leisure cruises are commonplace on the river, and the presence of globally famous cities and cultures, as well as an abundance of natural wealth, draw millions of tourists into the countries sharing the river basin. 2. Habitat and Biodiversity The extensive Danube River Basin supports a wide variety of natural habitats, like the Black Forest of Germany, the Alpine ecosystem of Austria, the puszta plains of Hungary, the wetlands of the Danube Delta, and the Danube islands of Bulgaria. More than 100 fish species, including 5 species of sturgeon, inhabit the waters of the Danube River. The river basin also supports a large variety of avian fauna, including such rare bird species as the Black stork, White pelican, and White-tailed eagle. The Danube River basin is also a part of the Worldwide Fund for Wildlife's “Global 200” list of ecoregions. 1. Environmental Threats and Territorial Disputes The Danube River, like most major rivers of the world, has been overfished and overpolluted.

The lethal combination of pollutant release into the Danube’s waters, illegal and irresponsible fishing, and extensive damming of the river’s waters has resulted in a severe decline in the water quality of the Danube. There are 28 dams on the Danube, ranging from its source to the mouth of the river delta, which block the natural flow of its waters and disrupt the natural order of sediment transfer from upstream to downstream, consequently facilitating heavy erosion in the river delta as well. These dams also act as a barrier to the natural migration of fish species of the river. Today, the level of damage to the river is so high that several kinds of sturgeon, fish species whose eggs are famous for caviar and have survived for 200 million years on Earth, are presently "endangered" in the region. This page was last modified on June 6, 2016.

On WorldAtlas.com Danube River | river, Europe | Britannica.com Danube River Alternative Titles: Donau, Duna, Dunaj, Dunărea, Dunav, Dunay Related Topics István, Count Széchenyi Danube River, German Donau, Slovak Dunaj, Hungarian Duna, Serbo-Croatian and Bulgarian Dunav, Romanian Dunărea, Ukrainian Dunay , river , the second longest in Europe after the Volga . It rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea . Along its course it passes through 10 countries: Germany, Austria , Slovakia , Hungary , Croatia , Serbia , Bulgaria , Romania , Moldova , and Ukraine . The Danube River basin and its drainage network. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Boats along the Danube River, Belgrade, Serbia. Jon Arnold/SuperStock The Danube River links the countries of the Balkan Peninsula to each other and to the rest of … Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The Danube played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe.

Its banks, lined with castles and fortresses, formed the boundary between great empires, and its waters served as a vital commercial highway between nations. The river’s majesty has long been celebrated in music. The famous waltz An der schönen, blauen Donau (1867; The Blue Danube ), by Johann Strauss the Younger , became the symbol of imperial Vienna. In the 21st century the river has continued its role as an important trade artery. It has been harnessed for hydroelectric power, particularly along the upper courses, and the cities along its banks—including the national capitals of Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), and Belgrade (Serbia)—have depended upon it for their economic growth. Central Budapest, looking north along the Danube River, with the Parliament Building on the east … Jean S. Buldain/Berg & Assoc. Physical features Physiography The Danube’s vast drainage of some 315,000 square miles (817,000 square km) includes a variety of natural conditions that affect the origins and the regimes of its watercourses.

They favour the formation of a branching, dense, deepwater river network that includes some 300 tributaries, more than 30 of which are navigable. The river basin expands unevenly along its length. It covers about 18,000 square miles (47,000 square km) at the Inn confluence , 81,000 square miles (210,000 square km) after joining with the Drava , and 228,000 square miles (590,000 square km) below the confluences of its most affluent tributaries, the Sava and the Tisza . In the lower course the basin’s rate of growth decreases. More than half of the entire Danube basin is drained by its right-bank tributaries, which collect their waters from the Alps and other mountain areas and contribute up to two-thirds of the total river runoff or outfall. The confluence of the Sava (foreground) and Danube rivers from the Kalemegdan fortress, Belgrade, … Jean S. Buldain/Berg & Assoc.

Opium Wars The river carries considerable quantities of solid particles, nearly all of which consist of quartz grains. The constant shift of deposits in different parts of the riverbed forms shoals. In the stretches between Bratislava and Komárno and in the Sulina Channel, draglines are constantly at work to maintain the depth needed for navigation. The damming of the river has also changed the way in which sediments are transported and deposited. Water impounded by reservoirs generally loses its silt load, and the water flowing out of the dam—which is relatively silt-free—erodes banks farther downstream. The temperature of the river waters depends on the climate of the various parts of the basin. In the upper course, where the summer waters derive from the Alpine snow and glaciers, the water temperature is low. In the middle and lower reaches, summer temperatures vary between 71 and 75 °F (22 and 24 °C), while winter temperatures near the banks and on the surface drop below freezing. Upstream from Linz the Danube never freezes entirely, because the current is turbulent. The middle and lower courses, however, become icebound during severe winters.

Between December and March, periods of ice drift combine with the spring thaw, causing floating ice blocks to accumulate at the river islands, jamming the river’s course, and often creating major floods. The natural regime of river runoff changes constantly as a result of the introduction of stream-regulating equipment, including dams and dikes. The mineral content of the river is greater during the winter than the summer. The content of organic matter is relatively low, but pollution increases as the waters flow past industrial areas. The river’s chemistry also changes as city sewerage and agricultural runoff find their way into the river. The economy The Danube is of great economic importance to the 10 countries that border it—Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany—all of which variously use the river for freight transport, the generation of hydroelectricity, industrial and residential water supplies, irrigation, and fishing . The movement of freight is the most important economic use of the Danube.

Among the major ports are such cities as Izmayil , Ukraine; Galați and Brăila , Romania; Ruse , Bulgaria; Belgrade, Serbia; Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; and Regensburg, Germany. Since World War II , navigation has been improved by dredging and by the construction of a series of canals, and river traffic has increased considerably. The most important canals—all elements in a continentwide scheme of connecting waterways—include the Danube–Black Sea Canal , which runs from Cernovadă, Romania, to the Black Sea and provides a more direct and easily navigable link, and the Main–Danube Canal , completed in 1992 to link the Danube to the Rhine and thus to the North Sea . Boats along the Danube River, Belgrade, Serbia. Jon Arnold/SuperStock The Danube has been tapped for power, mainly in its upper course. The process, however, has spread downstream. One of the largest hydroelectric projects—the Ðerdap (Djerdap) High Dam and the Iron Gate power station—was built jointly by Yugoslavia and Romania.

Not only does the project produce hydroelectricity, but it also makes navigable what was once one of the most difficult stretches on the river. Industrial use of Danube waters is made at Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, and Ruse. The main irrigated areas are along the river in Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. The river has nearly become unfit for irrigation as well as for drinking water, however, because of the tremendous increase in pollutants; pollution has also diminished the once-rich fishing grounds, although some of the fish have moved to side lakes and swamps. History During the 7th century bce, Greek sailors reached the lower Danube and sailed upstream, conducting a brisk trade. They were familiar with the whole of the river’s lower course and named it the Ister. The Danube later served as the northern boundary of the vast Roman Empire and was called the Danuvius. A Roman fleet patrolled its waters, and the strongholds along its shores were the centres of settlements, among them Vindobona (later Vienna), Aquincum (later Budapest), Singidunum (later Belgrade), and Sexantaprista (later Ruse).

During the Middle Ages the old fortresses continued to play an important role, and new castles such as Werfenstein, built by Charlemagne in the 9th century, were erected. When the Ottoman Empire spread from southeastern to central Europe in the 15th century, the Turks relied upon the string of fortresses along the Danube for defense. The Habsburg dynasty recognized the navigational potential of the Danube. Maria Theresa , queen of Hungary and Bohemia from 1740 to 1780, founded a department to oversee river navigation, and in 1830 a riverboat made a first trip from Vienna to Budapest, possibly for trading purposes. That trip marked the end of the river’s importance as a line of defense and the beginning of its use as a channel of trade. Maria Theresa, portrait by W.H. Mote, 1861. The Print Collector/Heritage-Images Regulated navigation on the Danube has been the subject of a number of international agreements. In 1616 an Austro-Turkish treaty was signed in Belgrade under which the Austrians were granted the right to navigate the middle and lower Danube.

In 1774, under the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca , Russia was allowed to use the lower Danube. The Anglo-Austrian and the Russo-Austrian conventions of 1838 and 1840, respectively, promoted free navigation along the entire river, a principle that was more precisely formulated in the Treaty of Paris of 1856, which also set up the first Danubian Commission with the aim of supervising the river as an international waterway. In 1921 and 1923, final approval of the Danube River Statute was granted by Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, Great Britain, Italy , Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Greece. The international Danube Commission was thus established as an authoritative institution with wide powers, including its own flag, the right to levy taxes, and diplomatic immunity for its members. It controlled navigation from the town of Ulm to the Black Sea and kept navigational equipment in good repair.

During World War II, free international navigation along the course of the river was interrupted by the hostilities, and a consensus concerning the resumption of navigation was not reached until the Danubian Convention of 1948. The new convention provided for the Danubian countries alone to participate in a reconstituted Danube Commission; of those countries, only West Germany did not join the convention. The Danube - a river's lure | ICPDR - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River The Danube - a river's lure The Danube - a river's lure ICPDR Danube Watch: Danube Day 2006: River of Life The Danube - a river’s lure The queen of Europe’s rivers, the Danube is rich in history and enveloped in an aura of legend and myth, drawing visitors from all over the world. The Danube Tourist Commission selected ‘The Danube Moves’ as its annual theme for 2008. Past themes have included ‘The Danube and europe’, ‘Man, Myths and Tales’, ‘The Musical Danube’, ‘Danube landscapes’, ‘Danube Delights’ and ‘Royal Danube – River of kings’.

TOURISM ON THE DANUBE RIVER Trends in tourism point to steady increases in cruise traffic, while the day excursion segment remains stable. However, on board the Twin City Liner (Vienna-Bratislava) 108,000 passengers were counted last year, and in 2008 two ships are operating between Bratislava and Vienna. Year are expected From the mountains of the Black Forest, the Danube makes its way through cliffs and surges down wild and romantic gorges to flow by mighty castles, palaces and monasteries, framed by the enchanting landscapes and Baroque splendour along its banks. The German poet Friedrich Hölderlin called the Danube a refreshing, melodious river, sometimes foaming with high spirits, at other times dreaming serenely. No other river in the entire world has inspired so many poets, musicians and painters to create masterpieces; art and music accompany the route of the great river until the melody reaches a gentle climax in a rustling sea of reeds: the Danube Delta, one of the last paradises for man and nature.

For millennia one of Europe’s most important waterborne trade routes, the Danube continues to play this role today: it makes up part of the European Union’s Corridor VII that traverses the continent. Sailing the Danube has also become increasingly popular with holidaymakers. Little wonder since a cruise on the great river is a unique and unforgettable experience. Over 113 cruise liners now regularly ply the Danube between Passau and Budapest, and as far downstream as the delta. Tourism in the Danube River basin. The Danube Tourist Commission was founded in 1970 at a time when no one could foresee the fall of the Iron Curtain, and it can thus justly claim to be the first tourism organisation in the world to have spanned the great political and ideological divide. Today member countries can look back on over 30 years’ experience of working together in a remarkably unbureaucratic manner: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Romania are all represented through their national tourism organisations – and the Republic of Moldova has participated since 2007 as an observer.

Member countries are joined by supporting members and partners of the Danube Tourist Commission: All4Ships, Germany – Avalon Waterways, Switzerland – Belgrade Chamber of Commerce – Bonaventura Cruises, Netherlands – Casinos Austria – Danube Cooperation Process – GTA Sky-Ways, Vienna – ICPDR – IDM (Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe) – Karpaten Turism, Bucharest – Prestige Tours International, Bucharest – Route of Emperors and Kings Marketing Association – Serbian Chamber of Industry and Commerce – TINA Vienna Transport Strategies GmbH – Working Community of the Danube Regions. Sharing the treasures of the region. The Danube Tourist Commission operates as a marketing and information platform supporting the tourism branch on and along the river through targeted marketing activities. A centrepiece of the Danube Tourist Commission’s activities since 1982 has been the Danube Travel Mart. Since 2007, the event – renamed Danube Salon – is held in conjunction with the new actb – Austrian and Central European Travel Business (formerly atb) in Vienna: January 25–27, 2009.

In 2007 actb welcomed over 380 exhibitors, including 45 from the Danube Tourist Commission’s member countries as well as 1000 buyers and trade journalists from the main international source markets. The Danube Tourist Commission assists in the preparation of publications, film and television productions, and also issues a series of handy annual guides to cruises, excursion ships, yachting, cultural events on the Danube and Main-Danube Canal as well as information on the Danube bicycle trail. The awardwinning website records at least 18,000 visitors monthly and the website www. danubesalesmanual.com is the first international online Danube River Sales Guide featuring a recently expanded range of cultural events and travel information from all the countries along the river. Part of a Danube family. The Danube Tourist Commission has been an observer to the ICPDR since 2004, and has also endeavoured to work together with important regional and national Danube organisations.

The Danube Tourist Commission collaborates with the Institute for the Danube and Central Europe, the UNESCO working group Vienna and the Danube Cooperation Process and the Working Community of Danubian Regions, as well as maintaining an association with the EU Corridor VII (Danube)/Tina Vienna Transport Strategies. The Danube Tourist Commission cooperates with the ICPDR to promote celebrations along the whole river for Danube Day on June 29. Additionally, to mark the start of the shipping season, Danube Navigation Day is celebrated with cross-border festivities every year on the last Sunday in April: April 26, 2009. The Danube Tourist Commission helped to develop this marketing event together with other organizations. A river at the heart of Europe. Due to joint efforts, the Danube has emerged in recent years as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations. Interest in the countries of south-eastern Europe and unhindered navigation along the entire length of the river down to the Danube delta have given a major boost to the region’s tourism generating steadily rising cruise ship and passenger numbers. TOURISM ON TWO WHEELS The Danube also boasts one of the continent‘s most beautiful bicycle trails.

The Danube trail closely parallels the river‘s course and passes through an unbelievable variety of changing scenery, intact nature, architectural treasures, and some of central Europe‘s most interesting and beautiful cities. Away from heavily travelled roads cyclists relax and enjoy the sport safely, unhindered by motor traffic. Ambitious cyclists can cycle along the trail from Germany through Austria and Slovakia to Hungary, getting to know the countries and their peoples up close. And when they need a break from pedalling, cyclists can simply load their bicycles onto a ship – bikes are carried free of charge on most Danube liners – and relax on deck while the scenery slips by. Cruise guests can also make land excursions by bike, as rentals are available at many locations. The Danube is navigable for large ships from kilometre 2415 at Kelheim. The 171-kilometre Main-Danube Canal, which opened to shipping in 1992 and links the river with the Rhine, makes possible cruises across the breadth of the continent from Amsterdam on the North Sea to Sulina on the Black Sea.

On October 7, 2005 the Novi Sad pontoon bridge has finally been dismantled, giving again free passage to cruises through the Iron Gates and as far as the Danube delta. With the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union in 2007, the Danube is a European inland waterway in every sense. The most important development along the Danube in 2008 is the extension of the Schengen area. On December 21, 2007 passport controls were eliminated in Vienna, Bratislava or Budapest, and the southern Hungarian city of Mohács now functions as the Schengen border crossing point for all ships cruising upstream and downstream. Whether travelling along the Danube by road, rail or bicycle, or sailing aboard a gleaming cruise liner, no one can resist the lure of this ‘Queen of Rivers’ and the harmony of river and scenery. For more information, please visit: Gerhard Skoff is the President of the Danube Tourist Commission.

Delta Research And Global Observation Network (DRAGON) Delta Research And Global Observation Network (DRAGON) Related Links Danube River The Danube River is the second largest river in Europe after the Volga River. The Danube River flows 1,780 mi (2,860 km) while the Danube River Basin covers an approximate total area of 310,800 mi2 (805,000 km2). The river rises in the Black Forest Mountains of Germany and flows eastward into the Black Sea. The Danube River is an important international waterway, flowing through or forming a part of the borders of ten countries and through major cities such as Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. The river is navigable from the Black Sea to Ulm, Germany, and serves as an important transportation corridor by linking the Black Sea to Western Europe and to the port of Rotterdam via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. The Danube Delta plain, located in Romania and the Ukraine, predominately consists of marshes and freshwater lakes. The Danube Delta contains the largest continuous marshland in Europe and forms one of the continentâs most valuable habitats for waterfowl nesting.

The Danube Delta is still spreading seaward at a rate of 78 to 98 ft (24 to 30 m) annually. European Rivers - Rivers of Europe, Map of Rivers in Europe, Major Rivers in Europe - Worldatlas.com print this map Hundreds of rivers and their tributaries cross the European continent. Here we highlight those over 600 miles in length, and a few others of note. DANUBE: Beginning in the Black Forest region of Germany, it flows across central Europe and the countries of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Yugoslavia. It then forms the border between Romania and Bulgaria, turning north across Romania to eventually end in the Black Sea. It is (1,771 miles) (2,850 km) in length, and one of the most significant commercial waterways on the continent. DNIEPER: Rising in the southwestern part of the Russian Federation, it flows generally south through Belarus, then southeast through Ukraine, ending in the Black Sea. Overall it's (1,420 miles) (2,285 km) in length.

DON: Beginning it the southwestern Russian Federation, to the south of Moscow, it flows southeasterly towards the Volga, then turns abruptly west, ending in the Sea of Azov. Overall it's (1,224 miles) (1,969 km) in length. ELBE: Rising in the Czech Republic, the Elbe River then flows north through Germany, ending in the North Sea near Cuxhaven. It's (724 miles) (1,165 km) in length. LOIRE: Recognized as the longest river in France, the navigable Loire begins in the foothills of the Massif Central, then flows north and west across the heartland of France, finally ending in the Bay of Biscay. It's (634 miles) (1,020 km) in length. ODER: Rising in the rugged mountains of the eastern Czech Republic, it flows west and north through south-central Poland, eventually emptying into the Baltic Sea. It's (567 miles) (912 km) in length.

PO: Italy's longest river begins in the upper reaches of the Alps, flowing west to east across northern Italy, ending in the Adriatic Sea. It's (405 miles) (652 km) in length. RHINE: Forming in the mountains of southeastern Switzerland, this legendary river flows west, forming Switzerland's northeastern border with Germany, then runs directly north through western Germany forming part of that country's border with France, then finally dissecting the Netherlands and ending in the North Sea. Numerous tributaries and branches run in all directions, and in overall length is (820 miles) (1,319 km). RHONE: Begin high in the Swiss Alps, this fast moving river flows into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, then south through south-eastern France, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Small branches run in all directions, and in overall length, it's (300 miles) (485 km). SHANNON: Rising in northwestern Ireland, it flows south through a series of lakes, then turns west to eventually empty into the Atlantic Ocean. It's 230 miles (370 km) in length.

TAGUS: The Tagus River rises in the central highlands of Spain, flowing southwest across Portugal, then south to Lisbon and the Atlantic Ocean. It's 626 miles (1,007 km) in length. VOLGA: The Volga is the largest river in European Russia in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. It's 3,692 km (2,294 mi) long

Question: The River Danube is on what continent?
Answer: Europe