Main facts for kids
The Main (pronounced like the English word mine) is an important river in Germany. It is 524 kilometers (about 325 miles) long. The Main is one of the biggest rivers that flows into the Rhine river. A river that flows into a bigger river is called a tributary.
The Main river flows through three German states: Bavaria, Hesse, and for 25 kilometers, it forms the border between Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Many famous cities are located along the Main, including Frankfurt, Bayreuth, Bamberg, Würzburg, Hanau, and Offenbach.
The middle part of the Main valley is famous for its many vineyards. This area is part of a region called Franken. Boats on the Main can even travel all the way to Eastern Europe by using the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. This canal connects the Main to the Danube River, which flows across much of Europe.
The Name of the Main River
The name of the Main river is quite old and has an interesting history. It has nothing to do with the English word main, which means most important. It also isn't related to the French word main, which means hand.
Ancient Origins
Long ago, the ancient celts lived in this area. They named the river Mogin after their god, Mogon. Later, when the Romans came, they called the river Moenus in their language.
How the Name Changed
Over many centuries, the name of the river changed. During the Middle Ages, people started calling it Meyn. Eventually, it became known as Main, which is the name we use today.
