Alzette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alzette |
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| River | |
 The Alzette river in Luxembourg City
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| Countries |  France,  Luxembourg |
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| Tributaries | |
| - left | Mess, Pétrusse, Mamer, Eisch, Attert, Wark |
| Cities | Audun-le-Tiche, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg City, Ettelbruck |
| Source | Étang de l'Alzette |
| - location | Thil, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France |
| - elevation | 305 m (1,001 ft) |
| - coordinates | 49°27′46″N 5°54′41″E / 49.46278°N 5.91139°E |
| Mouth | |
| - location | Sauer, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg |
| - elevation | 193 m (633 ft) |
| - coordinates | 49°50′53″N 6°06′43″E / 49.84806°N 6.11194°E |
| Length | 73 km (45 mi) |
| Basin | 1,172 km² (453 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| - average | 10.7 m³/s (378 cu ft/s) |
The Alzette (in Luxembourgish: Uelzecht, in German: Alzig) is a river that flows through two countries: France and Luxembourg. It's like a smaller river that joins a bigger one, called the Sauer river. Because of this, the Alzette is part of the larger Rhine river system.
The Alzette river is so important that it's even mentioned in Ons Heemecht, which is the national anthem of Luxembourg! The song talks about "where the Alzette flows through the meadows."
Contents
About the Alzette River
The Alzette river is about 73 km (45 mi) long. Most of it flows through Luxembourg. Only a small part, about 2.7 km (1.7 mi), is in France.
The area of land that drains into the Alzette river is called its drainage basin. This area is about 1,172 km2 (453 sq mi). Most of this land is also in Luxembourg.
Where Does the Alzette Flow?
The Alzette river starts in France. Its source is in a town called Thil, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle area. It begins at a height of about 305 m (1,001 ft) above sea level.
In France, the river flows through towns like Villerupt and Audun-le-Tiche.
After a short journey, the Alzette enters Luxembourg. It flows through the city of Esch-sur-Alzette. Near a place called Lameschmillen, another river called the Mess joins the Alzette.
The river then flows across a wide, flat area called a floodplain. After that, it enters a narrow valley near Hesperange. The Alzette continues through important Luxembourgish cities like Luxembourg (where the Pétrusse river joins it) and Mersch. In Mersch, it is joined by the Mamer and Eisch rivers.
Finally, the Alzette river meets the Sauer river near Ettelbruck. This is where the Alzette's journey ends, at about 193 m (633 ft) above sea level.
Main Rivers Joining the Alzette
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Alzette. The most important ones join it from the left side. Rivers that join from the right side are usually very small.
- Left-side rivers:
- Mess - This river is about 13.7 km long.
- Pétrusse - This river is about 12.8 km long.
- Mamer - This river is about 25.6 km long.
- Eisch - This river is about 23.2 km long.
- Attert - This river is about 30.5 km long.
- Wark - This river is also about 30.5 km long.
Images for kids
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The Alzette near Hesperange
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The Alzette in Grund, Luxembourg
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The Wark joining the Alzette
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The Alzette (left) joining the Sauer (right)
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Río Alzette para niños
