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22. 06. 2021.

10 interesting facts about the Danube River

Danube and its cultural, economic, and political significance are immeasurable. Whether you are playing waltz or beatboxing, it’s always interesting on the beautiful blue Danube.

We will focus on what makes the Danube exceptional in every sense.

 

One river – 10 countries. Originates in Germany, in the Black Forest region, and its final destination is the Black Sea. On its long journey, it flows through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.

 

Danube is the second-longest river in Europe – 2850 km from its source to its confluence with the Black Sea. It is additionally interesting that it doesn’t flow through Russia but predominantly covers the European Union. The length of its flow through Serbia is 588 km.

 

Former border of the Roman Empire, today is the most important European waterway with great economic significance. Freight transport would encounter many problems connecting with the east without the Danube. In addition to being used for freight transport, it’s used for hydroelectric power production, industrial and residential water supplies, irrigation, and fishing.

 

Danube River Basin is 817,000 km2 and is used by 19 countries, making it the largest international river basin. Average discharge is 7,000 cubic meters per second and due to its immense volume, Danube is one of the most important sources of fresh drinking water. It’s estimated that nearly 20 million people rely on this river for drinking water.

 

This is greatly supported by Danube’s tributaries, over 300 of them. We will list only some of them, which are the most important and largest – Lech, Regen, Isar, Iler, Inn, Enns, Morava, Drava, Tisza, Sava, Tamiš, Velika Morava, Karaš, Siret…

 

It is quite interesting that from time to time, during summer days, when water level drops, sunken ships of the powerful German navy spring from the bottom. The story behind this phenomenon is that in order to avoid the ships falling into the Soviets’ hands at the end of World War II, the Germans sank them themselves.

 

Đerdap is the longest and largest gorge in Europe and place where Danube is the deepest – 90 m. That part of its flow is called Kazan and is one of the most beautiful and most mysterious natural areas.

 

Next to Đerdap gorge in Serbia, there are 7 more national parks along the Danube – two in Germany and Romania, and one in each of the following: Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Whichever one you choose, you won’t make a mistake, because they represent a wealth of flora and fauna and other natural beauties.

 

Danube flows through four capitals on its way to the Black Sea – Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. In Vienna, get Mozartkugel, in Bratislava, enjoy them from the Devin Fortress. In Budapest, walk across the Chain Bridge, and in Belgrade, drink coffee on the Zemun riverbank and wherever you are enjoy the view of the mighty Danube.

 

Recently, this river has become part of the European “bucket list”. The primary economic significance was on cargo and transport, and now cruising the Danube is what significantly changes the perception of this river. Whether it’s a multi-day cruise or just a panoramic tour, in every city find where to sign up. Believe us, it’s magical!