Rhine River

Cologne lies at the Rhine, and it owes much of its growth in trade to this river. The Rhine River whose name comes from the Celtic word renos starts from the Rheinwaldhorn, Glacier of Switzerland and flows north and east approximately 820 miles (1,320 km).The river also influences the weather of Cologne.

The river flows through different countries like Austria, Germany, France and Netherlands and because of the different languages spoken here the river is called by three different names. They are:

  -   Rhein in Germany
  -   Rhine in France
  -   Rijn in Netherlands, Dutch

There are many other important tributaries that flow into the Rhine, in fact the Rhine splits into two tributaries near Emmerich, Germany and Zevenaar, Netherlands. These are:
  -   The Lek on the north
  -   The Waal on the south

Some of the main tributaries are: the Mosselle (Mosel), that runs south west bordering Luxembourg and on into France; the Neckar that flows south east at Manneheim on through Heidelburg, Germany; the Main, flowing east and south from Mainz through Frankfurt, Germany. East of Frankfurt is where the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal links the Rhine with the Danube providing a transcontinental route from the North Sea to the Black Sea

Historic Significance of River Rhine

  -   During early historic times Germanic tribes settled on either side of the lower Rhine and Celts alongside its upper sides.

  -   Julius Caesar bridged and crossed it in 53 and 55 BC

  -   In 870 the Rhine again became the central axis of a political unit, the Holy Roman Empire.
  -   The Thirty Years' War (1618 -1648) ended with the final separation of the Rhine headwaters and delta area from Germany

Germany is well known for its wine and the rich vineyards owe their existence to the Rhine River. It flows past a wide fertile valley past the Baden vineyards.During World War II, Rhine River was severely damaged due to pollution but thankfully various projects were taken up after that to study and monitor the pollution.

There are lots of projects on Rhine, and some of them are as follows:

  -   Erosion from wind and flooding caused by snow melt-offs in the Alps
  -   Development of fresh water reed
  -   Preservation of Weir island for a fish and nature sanctuary and many more

There are many interesting German Legends about Rhine .The most famous story is about Lorelei, a nymph. A bronze statue of the nymph overlooks the river.
One cannot help appreciating the beautiful castles that are built across the Rhine. Many of them are now in ruins, whereas some have been restructured and are used as tourist places or hotels.

Rhine River is an important part of Cologne and without it Cologne would not have been the same. So, all the visitors coming to Cologne, must appreciate this serene and beautiful river for its important contribution to the world history.