Ill (France) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ill |
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The Ill in the Petite France quarter of Strasbourg. The river's only lock can be seen right of centre.
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| Country | France |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Jura mountains 570 m (1,870 ft) |
| River mouth | Rhine |
| Length | 223 km (139 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 4,760 km2 (1,840 sq mi) |
The Ill is a river in Alsace, a region in north-eastern France. It flows into the Rhine river from its left side. The Ill is about 223 kilometers (138 miles) long.
Contents
Journey of the Ill River
The Ill river begins its journey in the Jura Mountains. Its source is near a small village called Winkel. The river then flows until it meets the Rhine river. This meeting point is located downstream from the Gambsheim lock.
Protecting Mulhouse from Floods
As the Ill river gets closer to the city of Mulhouse, most of its water is sent into a special channel. This channel helps to protect the old part of Mulhouse from floods. The water from this channel then joins another river called the Doller.
The Ill in Strasbourg
When the Ill river flows through the city of Strasbourg, it becomes an important part of the city's history. In the 17th century, the river was used as part of the city's defenses.
The Ill also goes through the beautiful old town of Strasbourg. Here, you can see many locks and channels. One famous area it passes through is the Petite France quarter. Long ago, the river's water in this area was used to power mills and tanneries. Mills grind grain, and tanneries process animal hides into leather.
Images for kids
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The Ill at Maison Rouge, near Colmar
See also
In Spanish: Río Ill para niños
