Why is the Rhine Rivers important?
The Rhine is western Europe’s most important waterway. It rises in the Alps, and passes through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands before flowing into the North sea. The river is 1,320 kilometres long, and, because it is navigable from Basel to Rotterdam, it serves as a highway for Europe’s freight.
What is the climate of the Rhine river?
The Upper Rhine Valley has a semi-continental climate. Therefore the landscape changes according to the seasons. The annual average temperature is about 11°C. In summer, the temperatures sometimes rise over 35°C.
How many people drink water from the Rhine River?
The river Rhine provides drinking water for around 20 million people and is the 40th-largest river in the world. Unfortunately, it is in the top 10 when it comes to the number of pollutants it carries. Measures have been taken to preserve the remaining wildlife and there are positive signs that a new ecosystem is re-emerging.
How did the Rhine River affect the environment?
The Rhine was a wild, salmon-rich stream two centuries ago and sustained a variety of marine and terrestrial fauna. The polluting of the river culminated in the 1986 Sandoz chemical spill in Basel, Switzerland. In 1992, European Union (EU) lawmakers passed the Flora, Fauna, Habitat directive, or FFH.
Who is responsible for the navigation of the Rhine?
The Committee for infrastructure and environment is responsible for transparent procedures to notify the shipping industry of any interruptions in navigation. The Rhine has a large number of port infrastructures. The Mannheim Convention includes various provisions applying to Rhine ports.
What kind of animals live in the Upper Rhine River?
The flora and fauna demonstrate a large diversity and include rare and endemic species such as the white-backed woodpecker, red kite, long-eared owl and icterine warbler. The Upper Rhine is the section of the Rhine between Basel, Switzerland, and Bingen, Germany.