Danube River is one of the world's largest. It is the second longest in the territory of Europe (the first – Volga), and only so long in the European Union. Crossing several European countries, Danube extends practically on three thousand kilometers, flowing finally into the Black Sea.
The Danube River deservedly is considered international – or, international – the river, and this is true, on the extent it proceeds across the territory of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. This river passes through several European capitals, adequately decorating them with the majestic look.
The mouth of Danube is territorially divided between Ukraine and Romania, the source lies in Germany. The Danube River was repeatedly mentioned in the works still by antique authors – for example, Herodotus. Ancient Greeks called by her name Istr, and the present name – the Celtic root, and in the majority of languages it sounds approximately equally.
People chose Danube long ago, it was a source of water and fish in view of what on its coast settlements expanded. Attempts to cultivate the river were observed in deep old times – it is considered that the very first Stone Bridge through Danube was built by the Roman emperor Traian that occurred at the very beginning of the 2nd century AD. Thus, Danube was from olden days known to many people, and various tribes and civilizations made habitable its coast.
Surprisingly, but such long and really mighty river results from two rather small mountain rivulets. The source located in the Schwarzwald mountains, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg is formed of merge Brigs and Breg. Their extent is only about fifty kilometers, and in fact it is possible to call them rather streams, than the rivers. Here, in the Baden-Württemberg city of Donaueshingen, there is an ancient castle near which the symbolical source of the mighty river is issued. So, from small mountain streams huge Danube passing further practically through the whole Europe flows.
The small part of the river has the underground course. Soon after a source, about thirty kilometers later, the Danube River leaves under the earth. Further it filters through rock and already further spreads in all the width. It can be considered too rather surprising fact when such mass of water leaves literally mountains. Really, Danube – is in many respects unique.
The direction of Danube on different sites various – places it is bent, forms corners and loops. Finally, the river branches and its delta is rather wide. In the field of the delta the boggy area abounding with lakes, however is observed it is divided into two main parts. As it was already stated above, one of parts belongs to Ukraine whereas the second – Romania. At the same time, the Romanian site of the Danube Delta is announced by the World heritage of UNESCO.
On the extent of the river it is possible to observe several islands. Among them rather large – for example, the Zhitny island in Slovakia which is considered as the largest island on Danube sometimes come across. The area is it nearly two thousand square kilometers, and it is manned. On the island there live people, there grow up harvests of wheat and other cultures, and in its southernmost tip there is a number of nature reserves. In them rare species of plants, birds and animals which existence is threatened in the rest of the world recently are collected. Though the island also belongs to Slovakia, there live there mainly Hungarians who are citizens of this state – it developed historically.
Certainly, the Danube River and in borders of the European capitals is remarkable. Speaking about Hungary, it is necessary to mention Budapest through which the river flows, dividing it into two main parts – I Will be also Pesht. Once in former times it were two different independent cities, so far, at last, did not unite in one, become the capital of Hungary.
Lifegid recommends to esteem also about such rivers as: Southern Bug, Black Cheremosh
Danube is removed Budapest to stone embankments, and along them are located surprising beauty of the house, striking any tourist with the unique architecture. This House of Parliament, a number of luxury hotels, other buildings and well-known Mount Gellert it is also well visible from embankments of Danube. Through the river seven colourful bridges which are highlighted in evening and night time of day by a set of bulbs that does an overall picture even more attractively are thrown.
Besides Budapest, Danube crosses such capitals as Vienna, Belgrade, Bratislava. Also other known cities which, though are not the capitals of the states, but not less because large and well-known are located on its coast. Among them it is possible to mention the German Passau – once glorified center of production of cold weapon for almost whole Europe. Galatz, Breila, Roose and Linz – these cities also stand on Danube. And except them, many hundreds of towns and villages are less, let than unknown, but centuries present at coast of this great river.
Besides, the Danube River is the important transport artery having large value for the whole Europe. On it both passenger, and transport navigation is developed, and daily during a navigable season hundreds of people and thousands of tons of the most various cargoes ply in all directions across Danube. Only for few months in a year this message as the most part of year Danube is quite navigable is interrupted.
Besides, from it the whole network of the channels equipped with human hands branches. These channels connect among themselves the rivers, the cities and the countries. Certainly, they are important in economic sense too, and rise to all of them is given by Danube.
Today everyone can order to himself the permit to a river cruise across Danube. It will be really fascinating experience, during the cruise the vessel will pass through several countries, through the capitals mentioned above and the cities of smaller value. In various places, stops will be made. It is possible to see the whole Europe and to be gained the mass of interesting impressions with ease during the travel across Danube.