2. LOCATION
The Rhine is
a European river that flows
through six countries
It begins in Switzerland in the Swiss Alps.
Flowing through the Principality of
Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany & France,
it eventually empties into the North Sea at
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
It is the twelfth longest river in Europe,
at about 1,233 km
3. ROUTE - 1
The
Rhine begins as a small stream in the
Swiss Alps. Other streams and small rivers
join the Rhine on its way to Lake
Constance
As it continues on its way to the North
sea, the Rhine flows over the famous Rhine
Falls at Schaffhausen
After Rhine Falls, it becomes is a major
transport route through Europe;
transporting goods and raw materials by
ship
4. ROUTE - 2
As
the Rhine enters Germany it becomes
the border between Germany and France.
Through the Rhine Gourge the river
narrows to form a steep sided-valley filled
with vineyards and castles overlooking the
river
Finally the Rhine reaches the Netherlands,
where it joins several other rivers on its
final journey to Rotterdam and the sea
12. HISTORY - 1
The
name Rhine comes from the Celtic
word renos, meaning raging flow
During the early Iron Age, both banks of
the Rhine were inhabited by Celtic tribes
Around 600 BC, the Proto-Germanic tribes
settled on either side of the lower Rhine
and Celts alongside its upper sides
Throughout the long history of Rome, the
Rhine was considered the border
between Gaul, or the Celts, and the
Germanic peoples
13. HISTORY - 2
Since
the days of the Romans, 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 for over 2000 years
The many castles and prehistoric
fortifications along the Rhine testify to its
importance as a waterway
14. COMMERCE
The
Rhine carries more traffic than any
other waterway in the world
It is navigable by oceangoing vessels as far
as Mannheim, Germany, by river barges to
Basel, Switzerland, and by pleasure craft &
sightseeing boats on navigable stretches
as far as Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Coal, coke, grain, timber, and iron ore are
the principal cargoes carried on the river
15. TOURISM - 1
The
Rhine River is one of the most
beautiful waterways in the world. A
popular traveler's destination, the Rhine is
picturesque and historic. Many tourists
each year go on Rhine River cruises,
travelling by river barge
16. TOURISM - 2
The Rhine is divided into Upper, Middle and
Lower regions
The Upper Rhine begins near Basel,
Switzerland, and features the high mountains
of the Alps, forests, meadows and vineyards
The Middle Rhine offers the most options for
visitors—everything from vineyards to
museums, Roman architecture to modern
cities. It is in this area where almost 500
fairytale castles dot the landscape
Closest to the North Sea, the Lower Rhine
houses the city of Düsseldorf, Germany,
perfect for bicycle tours or garden walks
17. POLLUTION IN THE RHINE - 1
As
long as people have lived near the Rhine,
they have thrown their refuse into it
In the past the river was usually able to
clean itself and break down pollutants
During late 19th and 20th century, amount
of waste increased greatly & the Rhine
became massively polluted. Industrial and
domestic waste flowed untreated into the
river. Fish disappeared & it was dangerous
to swim
18. POLLUTION IN THE RHINE - 2
In
1986, a fire in a chemical plant in Basel,
Switzerland in 1986, caused 30 tons of
pesticides, mercury, and other highly
poisonous agricultural chemicals to leak
into the river
Within 10 days the pollution had travelled
the length of the Rhine and into the North
Sea. Thousands of fish died and some
species were wiped out
19. CLEANUP OF THE RHINE
After the Chemical spill in 1986 the Rhine
Action Programme (RAP) was developed, and
adopted by all the countries bordering the
Rhine
Thanks to strict regulations and international
co-operation, the river is on the path to
recovery
Switzerland, Germany and France now work
together in Basel to keep the river clean
20. DID YOU KNOW?
In
ancient times, it was first known as the
Rhenus River
The River Rhine is called different names
depending on the country it flows through.
It is called Rhein in Germany; Rhine in
France and Rijn in Netherlands
