Danube River

The Danube River is 1,777 miles long, making it the longest river in Central and Western Europe. It is the longest river that flows through Germany, and the 2nd longest river in all of Europe (following the Volga in Russia). It begins in the Black Forest in the German town of Donaueschingen and flows into the Black Sea through the Danube Delta in Ukraine and Romania.


The Danube flows through or along the borders of 10 countries?more than any other river in the world: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.


The Danube was vital to the settlement and growth of central and southeastern Europe. Its water served as a commercial highway between nations. It also provides drinking water for millions of people. Several species of fish can be found in the Danube River basin, including zander, pike, Wels catfish, tench, huchen, burbot, carp, sturgeon, salmon, trout, European seabass, mullet, and eel.