Danube River

The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe, stretching approximately 1,770 miles from its source in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany to its mouth on the Black Sea. It passes through 10 countries, including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. The river has played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe, with its banks lined with castles and fortresses, and its waters serving as a vital commercial highway between nations. The Danube has been harnessed for hydroelectric power and is an important trade artery, with cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade depending on it for economic growth. The river's basin covers a vast area of approximately 315,000 square miles, with a diverse range of natural conditions that affect the origins and regimes of its watercourses