11 Danube River Facts To Help You Understand Its Importance

Do you know what the second-longest river in Europe is?

It is the Danube River! This international river weaves its way through ten European countries, starting from Germany and ending in Hungary.

Some of the most iconic pictures of Eastern Europe will include this beautiful river. The Danube is the lifeline for the countries it flows through.

The huge river with large tributaries has been used for navigation and trade as far as man discovered how to travel on water. Aquaculture, water, and electricity are all sourced through the Danube.

A fascinating river, Danube's ecosystem is immensely biodiverse as more than 2,000 plants and 5,000 animal species live in and around the Danube River basin. These include otters, beavers, eagles, reptiles, and fishes.

If you have time, the best way to explore this natural wonder is through the famous bike trail that runs along the river banks. Or you can take one of those river cruises.

However, the Danube is under threat due to water pollution, overfishing, infrastructure development, hydrological changes, and over-tourism. As a result, the marine life of the river is threatened. The European Union is working towards a pan-European conservation plan to protect this famous river.

Every water body is unique, and we welcome you to explore facts about the River Thames and rivers in Colorado at Kidadl.

Danube History And Origin

Danube River (da-nyoob river) is the second-longest river in Europe. This vast river passes through 10 European countries, starting from Germany and ending at the Black Sea.

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, just 422.53 mi (680 km) less than the Volga, the longest river in Europe.

It flows through ten countries in Europe: Croatia, Moldova, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, and Serbia, making it an international river. It begins in the Black Forest, Germany, and ends its run at the mouth of the Black Sea.

The second-longest river's 315,000 sq mi (817,000 sq km) drainage area includes about 27 large and 300 small tributaries.

The river basin has three clear sections, the upper Danube, middle Danube, and lower Danube. Two springs in the eastern part of the Black Forest mountains in Germany spring life into the upper Danube, and the lower Danube flows through the Iron Gate and finally ends at an estuary in the Black Sea.

The depth of the upper basin varies between 3-26 ft (1-8 m) and is less discernible in the middle basin.

Historically, the Danube played a critical role as a boundary for the Roman and Ottoman Empire. It acted as a defensive line helping keep the enemies away and also transporting military troops and goods from one location to another.

The next role that the Danube plays to date is the occupation of trade.

In Vienna, the Danube river is heavily regulated as an initiative to control floods. From 1870, a series of dams and levees have been built within the city as part of flood control measures, and this is referred to as the Vienna Danube Regulation.

Hungary's capital, Budapest, is considered the 'Queen of the Danube.' This is because of the iconic constructions seen alongside the banks of the river, including Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament, and Danube School. June 29, every year, is celebrated as Danube Day to spread awareness about conserving this precious water body.

And the best part is you can swim in the Danube. Most of its parts are safe to swim in.

However, it is best to avoid swimming in areas suspected to be polluted. It is advisable to verify the country's rules to swim safely and legally. The European Union and the countries through which the Danube flows are invested in protecting and conserving this waterbody.

Marine Life In Danube

The Danube river basin is home to many plant and animal species. However, rampant changes in the Danube delta have pushed many of these species to endangered status.

With around 2000 plants, 5000 animals, of which there are 40 mammals, 180 birds, 100 fishes, and many reptiles, the Danube delta is a biodiversity paradise. The Danube delta is well-preserved and the longest, including a range of ecosystems like marshes, lakes, and so on.

These habitats support different types of species. Common bird species on the Danube delta are pelicans, cormorants, falcons, eagles, kingfishers, and swans. Some mammals living beside the shores of the Danube region are otters, foxes, weasels, and black bears.

Unfortunately, habitat loss and degradation are threatening the abundant marine life of the Danube delta. Migratory species like the Beluga sturgeon (biggest freshwater fish) and Danube salmon have been pushed to endangered status because of the changes in the ecology of the river basin.

Another threatened species is the elegant great white pelican. Other endangered species of the Danube Delta are the European kingfisher, European pond turtle, and beaver. Many member countries of the European Union have committed to protecting the marine life of this lifeline.

Navigation And Transport

Apart from being a source of drinking water, hydropower, fish, and tourism, the Danube links the national capitals of Eastern Europe with each other. This allows trade to occur between the East European countries along the Danube river.

For centuries, the Danube and its tributaries have served as important trade routes in Eastern Europe. A series of navigation locks and channels has made it easy for transport and commercial ships to navigate at least 87 % of the Danube.

The river also connects the Black Sea with other places in Western Europe and the Port of Rotterdam. Since 1992, this river has been part of the Trans European Waterways.

About 2,175 mi (3,500 km), the Danube canal stretches from Sulina in the north to the Black Sea in the south. It is a crucial transport channel to take goods from one city to another in Eastern Europe.

Tourists can explore the Danube valley via river cruises, which started as early as the innovation of the steam engine. In 1980, the first steam engine cruised through the Danube River. Now, there are many river cruises available on different stretches of the river.

Danube Bike Trail

One of the most popular cycling tracks in Europe is right beside the Danube. Running along Danube banks, this is a 1,800 mi (2,896.819 km) long track passing from Germany all the way to Austria.

If you are a cyclist or want an adventurous expedition in Europe, then the Danube bike trail is a great place to start. The bike trail begins at the river's source at Donaueschingen, Germany, and ends at the Black Sea, Budapest, Hungary.

It is divided into four sections; Donaueschingen to Passau, Passau to Vienna, Vienna to Budapest, and Budapest to the Black Sea. Most of the trail also runs the banks of the Danube rivers.

The well-constructed paths will pass through stunning landscapes, including vineyards, historical monuments, and so on. It is breathtaking and, at the same time, an exhilarating experience.

Along the path, you will come across places to stay and eat. So, you can easily cycle through at your own pace.

Also, you can take on this journey at any time of the year, but the ideal seasons are spring and autumn. This course is taken by all kinds of people from children to elders and solo travelers to big groups.

Pollution In The Danube River

Polluting of the Danube River has been witnessed since the communist era; however, in recent years, it has worsened. Today, there are reports of plastic being found from the aquatic life of the river Danube. Plastic waste, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceutical waste are the primary pollutants.

From the communist era, industries have been releasing pollutants into the Danube basin. Unfortunately, this practice continues to date.

A recent survey revealed that at least 20 hazardous substances could be found in the Danube river basin. However, only eight of these substances have been recorded. There is still little clarity about the type and extent of chemicals being dumped in the river.

A significant source of pollution is microplastics. Fish often confuse them as food and consume these dangerous substances.

Another threat is fertilizers and pesticides that can cause a depletion of oxygen levels, causing changes in the whole Danube river basin. Dumping of unfiltered waste in the river is another problem. This causes an increase in the bacterial matter in the river.

Usually, the huge Danube has self-cleaning properties that ensure it can purify organic pollution. However, the river Danube is incapable of filtering the large loads of wastes being constantly dumped into the river basin.

The biggest challenge with monitoring the pollution in the Danube Delta is that it passes through many countries. The differing economic profiles limit some countries from having the resources to monitor and manage pollution at their end. However, pan-European efforts are being made to study and manage the pollutants in the Danube river basin.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Danube river facts, then why not take a look at rivers in Mississippi or Puerto Princesa underground river facts?