Elbe Facts for Kids

The Elbe River (called Czech: Labe in Czech, Sorbian languages: Łobjo in Sorbian, Polish: Łaba in Polish, and German: Elbe in German) is one of the most important waterways in central Europe. It starts in the northwest Czech Republic and flows through a large part of Germany. Finally, near the town of Cuxhaven, it empties into the Wadden Sea, which is part of the big North Sea.

Many important cities are located along the Elbe River. In the Czech Republic, these include Hradec Králové, Pardubice, and Ústí nad Labem. In Germany, major cities like Dresden, Magdeburg, and Hamburg are found on its banks.

Journey of the Elbe River
Cities and Ports along the Elbe
- The Port of Hamburg
Elbe's Importance
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Journey of the Elbe River

The Elbe River begins its long journey in the Giant Mountains (Krkonose) in the Czech Republic. It then travels across the country before crossing the border into Germany. As it flows through Germany, it passes through different landscapes, from green valleys to busy industrial areas.

The river's total length is about 767.8 kilometers (around 477 miles). About 367 kilometers (228 miles) of this length are in the Czech Republic, and the rest is in Germany. The Elbe is considered a very important river for shipping and trade.

Cities and Ports along the Elbe

Many people live in the cities along the Elbe. In the Czech Republic, cities like Hradec Králové, Pardubice, and Ústí nad Labem each have almost 100,000 residents.

In Germany, Dresden is a large city with about 500,000 people. Magdeburg has around 250,000 residents. Further downstream, Hamburg is a huge city with 1.8 million people. It is the second largest city in Germany and one of the biggest in the European Union. Even though Hamburg is about 110 kilometers (68 miles) away from where the river meets the sea, it has a very important port.

The Port of Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg is a very busy place. It is the second most important seaport in the European Union, right after Rotterdam in the Netherlands. For container ships, which carry huge metal boxes filled with goods, it is the third busiest port in the EU. Ships can travel quite far up the Elbe, all the way to Pardubice in the Czech Republic. This makes the Elbe a vital route for moving goods and connecting different parts of Europe.

Elbe's Importance

The Elbe River is not just important for cities and trade. It also plays a big role in the environment. Its waters support many different kinds of plants and animals. People also use the river for fun activities like boating and fishing. The Elbe's journey from mountains to the sea shows how rivers connect different regions and are essential for both nature and human life.