Rhine River

Rhine River, longest river in western Europe, rising in Switzerland and flowing 820 mi (1,320 km) through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea near Rotterdam. It is of great historical and commercial significance, being navigable by seagoing ships up to Cologne and by large barges as far as Basel. Canals link it to the Rhône, Marne, Ems, Weser, Elbe, Oder, and Danube rivers. Some of its finest scenery is along the gorge between Bingen and Bonn, with terraced vineyards, ruined castles, and famous landmarks like the Lorelei rock.