Danube

The Danube is a very important river in Europe. It is the second-longest river after the Volga in Russia. The Danube flows through many countries, starting in the Black Forest of Germany and ending in the Black Sea at the Danube Delta in Romania. It has been important in history, once forming a border for the Roman Empire.

Today, the Danube connects ten European countries. It passes through or marks the border between many nations, including Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. Famous cities along the river include four capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. The river has been a major trade route for thousands of years and still is today.

The Danube is also important for nature. Many types of fish live in its waters, such as pike, zander, huchen, wels catfish, burbot, tench, carp, sturgeon, salmon, and trout. Some fish, like seabass, mullet, and eel, live especially in the delta and lower parts of the river. The Danube provides water for drinking and helps create energy through hydropower.

Names and etymology

The Danube River has many names, depending on where you are from and when in history you lived. Today we call it the Danube, but in ancient times the Greeks called it the Istros. Many languages have special names for the river, often based on older words that mean "swift" or "flow".

The name "Danube" comes from very old European roots. It likely started with the Celtic word for a river, Danu or Don. Many other European rivers have similar names, showing they share this ancient root. For example, the Donets, Dnieper, and Dniestr all have names related to this word. The Danube has been important for thousands of years, and many cultures have given it their own unique name.

Geography

The Danube is a very important river in Europe. It starts in the town of Donaueschingen in the Black Forest of Germany, where two smaller rivers, the Brigach and the Breg, meet. From there, it flows southeast for about 2,730 kilometers (1,700 miles). It passes through four capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. The Danube ends at the Black Sea in a big area called the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine.

This river used to mark the edge of the old Roman Empire. It flows through or touches the borders of 10 countries and helps many more with water. The area where the river collects water, called the drainage basin, reaches into nine more countries. The highest point in this area is the top of Piz Bernina.

Discharge

Discharge chronology

The Danube River has a lot of water. Scientists measure how much water flows through the river over time. This helps us learn how the river changes with seasons and weather. The amount of water can change a lot. It depends on rain and snowmelt in the areas where the river starts.

Tributaries

Main article: List of tributaries of the Danube

The Danube River flows through many countries and has several smaller rivers that join it. These smaller rivers can sometimes be used by small boats. Here are some key points along the Danube’s path:

• The Danube begins at its source in Donaueschingen, where two small rivers, the Breg and the Brigach, meet.
• The Danube passes through beautiful places like Budapest in Hungary.
• Finally, the Danube reaches its end at the Danube Delta in Ukraine, before flowing into the Black Sea.

Cities and towns

Main article: List of cities and towns on the river Danube

The Danube River flows through many cities, including four national capitals. It starts in Germany and passes through several countries before reaching the Black Sea.

• Germany
  • Donaueschingen in the State of Baden-Württemberg – rivers Brigach and Breg join to form the Danube
  • Möhringen an der Donau in Baden-Württemberg
  • Tuttlingen in Baden-Württemberg
  • Sigmaringen in Baden-Württemberg
  • Riedlingen in Baden-Württemberg
  • Munderkingen in Baden-Württemberg
  • Ehingen in Baden-Württemberg
  • Erbach, Baden-Württemberg in Baden-Württemberg
  • Ulm in Baden-Württemberg
  • Neu-Ulm in Bavaria
  • Günzburg in Bavaria
  • Dillingen an der Donau in Bavaria
  • Donauwörth in Bavaria
  • Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria
  • Ingolstadt in Bavaria
  • Kelheim in Bavaria
  • Regensburg in Bavaria
  • Straubing in Bavaria
  • Deggendorf in Bavaria
  • Passau in Bavaria

• Austria

  • Linz, capital of Upper Austria
  • Krems in Lower Austria
  • Tulln in Lower Austria
  • Vienna – capital of Austria and the most populous city on the Danube

• Slovakia

  • Bratislava – capital of Slovakia
  • Komárno
  • Štúrovo

• Hungary

  • Mosonmagyaróvár
  • Győr
  • Komárom
  • Esztergom
  • Visegrád – This section of the river is also called Danube Bend.
  • Vác
  • Szentendre
  • Göd
  • Dunakeszi
  • Budapest – capital of Hungary
  • Szigetszentmiklós
  • Százhalombatta
  • Ráckeve
  • Adony
  • Dunaújváros
  • Dunaföldvár
  • Paks
  • Kalocsa
  • Baja
  • Mohács

• Croatia

  • Vukovar
  • Ilok

• Serbia

  • Apatin
  • Bačka Palanka
  • Čerević
  • Futog
  • Veternik
  • Novi Sad – regional capital of Vojvodina
  • Sremski Karlovci
  • Zemun
  • Belgrade – capital of Serbia
  • Pančevo
  • Smederevo
  • Kovin
  • Veliko Gradište
  • Golubac
  • Donji Milanovac
  • Kladovo

• Bulgaria

  • Vidin
  • Lom
  • Kozloduy
  • Oryahovo
  • Nikopol
  • Belene
  • Svishtov
  • Ruse
  • Tutrakan
  • Silistra

• Romania

  • Moldova Nouă
  • Orșova
  • Drobeta-Turnu Severin
  • Calafat
  • Bechet
  • Dăbuleni
  • Corabia
  • Turnu Măgurele
  • Zimnicea
  • Giurgiu
  • Oltenița
  • Călărași
  • Fetești
  • Cernavodă
  • Hârșova
  • Brăila – limit of the maritime sector of the Danube
  • Galați – largest port on the Danube
  • Isaccea
  • Tulcea
  • Sulina

• Moldova

  • Giurgiulești

• Ukraine

  • Reni
  • Izmail
  • Kiliia
  • Vylkove

Panorama of the Danube in Vienna

The Danube Bend is a curve of the Danube in Hungary, near the city of Visegrád.

Panorama of the Danube in Budapest with the Hungarian Parliament (left)

Budapest at night

Panorama of the Danube in Novi Sad from Petrovaradin Fortress, Serbia

The confluence of the Sava into the Danube at Belgrade. Pictured from Belgrade Fortress, Serbia

Panoramic image of the rivers Danube and Sava from Kalemegdan, Belgrade Serbia

The Danube entering the Iron Gate at the Carpathian Mountains. Romania on the left side, Golubac Fortress and Serbia on the right side.

Islands

Further information: List of islands in the Danube

Here are some islands found along the Danube River:

• Ada Kaleh Island
• Ostrovul Mare, Gogoșu
• Balta Ialomiței
• Belene Island
• Csepel Island
• Čakljanac Island
• Donauinsel
• Forkontumac Island
• Great Brăila Island
• Great War Island
• Island of Mohács
• Koh Chang Island, Sremski Karlovci
• Kozloduy Island
• Margaret Island
• Ostrovo (Kostolac)
• Ostrovul Ciocănești
• Ostrovul Mare, Islaz
• Paradajz Island
• Ribarsko Ostrvo [sr], Novi Sad
• Island of Šarengrad
• Szigetköz
• Island of Szentendre
• Vardim Island
• Island of Vukovar
• Žitný ostrov

Sectioning

The Danube River can be divided into four main parts. The upper section runs from its source to a place called Devín Gate, on the border of Austria and Slovakia. Here, the Danube flows like a mountain river until it reaches Passau.

The middle section continues from Devín Gate to the Iron Gate, on the border of Serbia and Romania. In this part, the river gets wider. The lower section goes from the Iron Gate to Pătlăgeanca, and the delta section stretches from Pătlăgeanca to Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea and splits into three main channels.

Modern navigation

The Danube River can be used by big ships from the Black Sea up to Brăila in Romania. Smaller boats can go even further, to places like Kelheim in Germany. Many smaller rivers flow into the Danube and can also be used for transportation.

Since 1992, the Danube has been linked to a major waterway that connects Rotterdam on the North Sea to Sulina on the Black Sea. This helps move goods over long distances. In 1994, the Danube was chosen as one of Europe’s important travel routes that needed improvements. Some bridges were damaged during a conflict in 1999, but they were repaired by 2005.

The Danube passes through a narrow valley called the Iron Gate, where two large power stations were built. In 2006, the river flowed very strongly there. There are also special canals to help ships travel more easily, like one that shortens the trip to the Black Sea.

Many people enjoy taking cruises on the Danube, especially between Passau in Germany and Budapest in Hungary.

Piracy

Between 2010 and 2012, some shipping companies, especially from Ukraine, said their boats were sometimes targeted on parts of the Danube in Serbia and Romania. These events might not have been true acts of piracy under international rules but were more like theft along the river.

Some reports also suggest that crew members sometimes stole and sold their own goods, then claimed pirates were to blame. These incidents were more about small thefts rather than real piracy.

Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is the largest river delta in the European Union. Most of it is in Romania, with a smaller part in Ukraine. It covers about 4,152 square kilometers.

This delta is very special because it is well-preserved and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. It is home to many types of fish and birds.

International cooperation

Ecology and environment

Main article: International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River is a group of 14 countries and the European Union. It started in 1998 to help protect the Danube River and its water. The group works together to use the river’s water wisely and keep it clean. They follow rules from the Danube River Protection Convention, the EU Water Framework Directive, and the Danube Strategy.

Navigation

The Danube Commission helps keep the Danube River open and easy to travel on by boat. It began in 1948 with seven countries that touch the river. Now, many countries take part, meeting twice a year. The group also brings together experts to talk about important plans. The idea for this group started long ago, at meetings in Paris in 1856 and 1921, to make sure everyone could use the river freely.

Geology

The Danube River is very old, even older than the Rhine River. Long ago, water that now flows into the Rhine used to flow into the Danube. Over time, the land changed, and the Rhine began to take more water away from the Danube.

In some places, the Danube’s water goes underground and flows to the Rhine. Scientists think that one day, the upper part of the Danube might disappear because of this.

History

The Danube basin was home to some of the earliest human cultures. Important ancient cultures lived along the river thousands of years ago.

The river played a big role in history. Famous leaders such as Darius the Great and Alexander the Great crossed it. Later, the Romans used the Danube as a border for their empire.

During later years, many groups, including the Ottoman Empire, fought over control of the Danube. The river was important for trade and defense for centuries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, people built dams to help control the river’s flow.

Economics

Drinking water

The Danube River gives drinking water to about 20 million people. In parts of Germany, such as Baden-Württemberg, nearly 30 percent of the drinking water comes from the river. Cities like Ulm and Passau also use some of this water.

In places like Austria and Hungary, most drinking water comes from underground sources, so using Danube water is not common. Cleaning the water can be hard because of pollution, but some areas in Romania still use it.

Navigation and transport

In the past, the Danube was an important path for ships, but ice could damage them. Today, it is a key travel route in Europe, linking the Port of Rotterdam to the Black Sea through canals. The river can hold large ships, and many locks help boats move along it. Some new lock plans exist but have environmental worries.

Fishing

Fishing on the Danube used to be very important but has gone down because of pollution, changes to the river, and big dams. Some fishing still happens, especially in the Danube Delta. The river once had many sturgeon fish, but dams and other problems have lowered their numbers.

Tourism

The Danube is well-known for its beautiful places, such as the Wachau Valley and the Danube Delta. Many people enjoy cruises on the river, with popular trips between cities like Vienna and Budapest. The area also draws visitors for cycling, hiking, and seeing historic sites.

Danube Bike Trail

The Danube Bike Trail is a famous cycling path that follows the river from its start to where it meets the Black Sea. It goes through Germany, Austria, and other countries, making it one of Europe’s most liked bike routes.

Sultans Trail

The Sultans Trail is a hiking path that runs along the Danube between Vienna and Smederevo in Serbia, going all the way to Istanbul. It includes parts through Budapest and other pretty areas.

Donausteig

In 2010, a new hiking trail named Donausteig opened from Passau to Grein. It is 450 kilometers long and takes people through lovely landscapes and towns along the river.

The Route of Emperors and Kings

This touristic route goes from Regensburg to Budapest, visiting cities like Passau, Linz, and Vienna. It shows historic sites, castles, and old towns, remembering the river’s past role when emperors and important travelers used it for trips.

Important national parks

The Danube River flows through many countries and has special natural areas along its path. These places help protect the plants, animals, and scenery near the river.

These protected areas include:

• Naturpark Obere Donau (Germany)
• Donauauen zwischen Neuburg und Ingolstadt (Germany) – map
• Nationalpark Donau Auen (Austria) – map – map (Hungary) – map (Hungary) – map (Croatia) – map – map National Park (Serbia)
• Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit Nature Reserve (Serbia)
• [Great War Island] Nature Reserve (Serbia)
• Đerdap National park (Serbia)
• Iron Gates Natural Park (Romania)
• Persina Nature Park (Bulgaria) – map – map (Bulgaria) – map Natural Park (Romania)
• Balta Mică a Brăilei Natural Park (Romania)
• Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) – map

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Golubac Fortress in Đerdap National park, Serbia

In folklore and literature

The Danube River has inspired many famous musicians and writers. One well-known piece is The Blue Danube Waltz by Austrian composer Johann Strauss, which is loved around the world and often used as a lullaby. Another famous waltz is The Waves of the Danube by Romanian composer Iosif Ivanovici, also called the Anniversary Waltz.

The Danube also appears in important songs and stories. It is featured in the Bulgarian National Anthem and in folklore songs from Lithuania. Famous writers like Claudio Magris and Jules Verne have written books about adventures along the Danube.