THE RHINE

WILDLIFE

The Rhine is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe, at about 1,233 k with an average discharge of more than 2,000 m3/s. Begins at the Rheinwaldhorn Glacier in

the Swiss Alps and flows north and east approximately 820 miles (1,320 km)

The Rhine flows through six countries -Switzerland, Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands before flowing into the North Sea at Rotterdam.

The Rhine and the Danube formed most of the northern inland frontier of the Roman Empire and, since those days, the Rhine has been a vital and navigable waterway carrying trade and goods deep inland. It has also served as a defensive feature and has been the

basis for regional and international borders. The many castles and prehistoric fortifications along the Rhine testify to its importance as a waterway. River traffic could be stopped at

these locations, usually for the purpose of collecting tolls, by the state that controlled that portion of the river.

The Rhine flows through six countries -Switzerland, Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands before flowing into the North Sea at Rotterdam. The Rhine splits into two tributaries near Emmerich, Germany and Zevenaar, Netherlands

Depending on the zone it have different names: German- Rhein Dutch- Rijn French- Rhin Romansh- Rain Italian- RenoLatin- Rhenus West Frisian - Ryn)

The Middle Rhine Valley is world famous for its concentration of beautiful and grand castles and castle ruins which are an unmistakable feature of its landscape. Most of these castles were built in the 12th and 13th centuries and in the Middle Ages they were the centre of cultural and political life and also a central location for trade and transport.