1. Where does the Danube River start and end?
The Danube begins in the Black Forest region of Germany, where two small rivers—the Breg and the Brigach—meet near the town of Donaueschingen. From there, it flows southeast across Central and Eastern Europe before emptying into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine.
- Source: Donaueschingen, Germany
- Mouth: Danube Delta, Romania & Ukraine, into the Black Sea
2. How long is the River Danube?
The Danube is approximately 2,850 kilometers (1,770 miles) long, making it the second-longest river in Europe (after the Volga in Russia).
3. How many countries does the Danube flow through?
The Danube flows directly through 10 countries, more than any other river in the world:
- Germany
- Austria
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Moldova (very small section at Giurgiulești)
- Ukraine
It also drains into catchment areas touching 19 countries, making it one of the most international river basins worldwide.
4. Who wrote The Blue Danube?
The famous waltz “An der schönen blauen Donau” (On the Beautiful Blue Danube) was composed in 1866 by Johann Strauss II, an Austrian composer widely known as the “Waltz King.” The piece premiered in Vienna in 1867 and remains one of the most famous works of classical music.
5. How do you pronounce Danube?
In English, the most common pronunciation is:
DAN-yube (ˈdæn.juːb).
In other languages, pronunciation differs:
- German: Donau (ˈdoː.naʊ̯)
- Hungarian: Duna (ˈdunɒ)
- Romanian: Dunărea (ˈdunəre̯a)
6. How deep is the Danube River?
The depth of the Danube varies significantly depending on location and season:
- Average depth: 4–8 meters (13–26 feet)
- Deepest point: Approximately 26 meters (85 feet) near the Iron Gates Gorge (Serbia–Romania border).
- Shallow sections: Can drop below 2 meters during droughts or low-water periods.
7. Is the Danube the longest river in Europe?
No. The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe. The Volga River in Russia holds first place at about 3,530 kilometers (2,194 miles).
8. Are the Rhine and Danube rivers connected?
Yes. Since 1992, the Main–Danube Canal connects the Rhine and Danube, allowing ships to travel all the way from the North Sea (via the Rhine) to the Black Sea (via the Danube). This waterway stretches 3,500 kilometers across Europe and passes through 15 countries, forming a transcontinental shipping corridor.