Records will show that the Danube helped to shape the history of Central Europe with regards to providing an important transportation route and economic lifeline between Europe and the Balkans.

Towns and Cities considered to be of particular interest include Regensburg and Passau in Germany; Linz and Vienna in Austria; Bratislava in Slovakia; Budapest in Hungary and Vidin in Bulgaria.

The longest river, in the European Union and Europe’s second longest, is the DANUBE originating in the Black Forest in Germany to form the Danube joining at the German town of Donaueschingen. The river flows through and forms a part of the borders of 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgarian, Moldova and Ukraine and flowing through 4 capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade, more than any other river in the world. The Danube being much older than the Rhine.

In the Star Trek Universe, a class of spacecraft was named after the Danube.

The Danube figures prominently in the Bulgarian National Anthem as a symbolic representation of the country’s natural beauty.

The Danube River has a picturesque, winding course, passing through low, forested mountains with rich farmland and many historic cities. Along the path of the Danube is a sauce of drinking water for about 10 million people. There are also many castles, fortresses and abbeys along its banks.

The Danube River is very popular with tourists, a beautiful river that has been used and enjoyed by human kind since at least 6000BC. Some of the important tourist and natural spots along the river include: Wachan Valley, National Park Donau-Auen, Gemenc, Naturpark Obere Donau, Kopacki rit, Iron Gate and Danube Delta, Srebarna Nature Reserve.

The Danube is an important transport route, really designed for large scale inland vessels but can carry much larger vessels on most of its course.

There is a Bike Trail along the river divided into four sections: Donaueschingen – Passau (559km), Passau – Vienna (340km), Vienna – Budapest and Black Sea (1670km).

The importance of fishing on the Danube has declined dramatically but there are still some points along the river where fishermen are still active. It is frequently referred to as The Blue Danube, which contains seven fish species found nowhere else on earth.

Important National Parks along the Danube River:

Naturpark Obere Donau (Germany)

Nature protection area Donauleiten (Germany)

Nationalpark Donau Auen (Austria)

Duna Ipoly Nemzeti Park (Hungary)

Gemenc (Hungary)

Naturalpark Kopacki Rit (Croatia)

Derdap National Park (Serbia)

Iron Gate Natural Park (Romania)

Natural Park Macinului Mountains (Romania)

Natural Park Little pond of Braila (Romania)

Biosphere Reserve (Romania)

Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)

Persina Natural Park (Bulgaria)

Countries along the Danube River:

Germany

Austria

Slovakia

Hungary

Croatia

Serbia

Romania

Bulgaria

Ukraine

BUDAPEST – Hungary

Famous bridges of Budapest

Chain Bridge – Suspension Bridge – The very first bridge across the Danube, west and east side of Budapest.

Elizabeth Bridge

Liberty Bridge – 3^rd southernmost public road bridge in Budapest.

Margaret Bridge – 2^nd northernmost and second oldest public bridge in Budapest, across to Margaret Bridge.

Megyeri Bridge – Cable stayed bridge, spans between Buda & Pest.

Arpad Bridge – Connecting Buda & Pest across the Danube (longest bridge in Hungary), northernmost public bridge.

Petofi Bridge – 2^nd southernmost public bridge.

Lagymanyosi Bridge – connects Buda & Pest and southernmost public bridge.

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