Rhine-Main-Danube Canal facts for kids
The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal (called Main-Donau-Kanal in German) is a very important waterway in southern Germany, in a region called Bavaria. It connects three big rivers: the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube. This means boats can travel a super long distance, all the way from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to the Black Sea!
This amazing canal is 171 kilometers (about 106 miles) long. It was finished in 1992, which was a big deal for shipping and travel across Europe.
Contents
How the Canal Connects Rivers
The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal acts like a giant water highway. It helps boats move between different river systems that were once separate. This connection makes it much easier to transport goods and people across a huge part of Europe.
The Canal's Journey Through Germany
The canal starts its journey in Bamberg. From there, it follows the valley of the Regnitz River, which flows into the Main. It passes by the city of Nuremberg and continues towards Fürth.
After Fürth, the canal follows another river valley, the Rednitz River, going past the town of Roth.
Crossing the Mountains
One of the most impressive parts of the canal's path is how it crosses the Frankish Alb mountains. This was a huge engineering challenge!
The canal then joins the Altmuehl River near a place called Dietfurt. From Dietfurt, the canal follows the Altmuehl valley all the way to Kelheim, where it finally connects with the mighty Danube River.
Images for kids
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The Ludwig Canal, an older canal, in the context of the Rhine and Danube rivers.
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Different projects over time that aimed to link the Main and Danube rivers.
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A beautiful view of the Altmühl valley below Riedenburg, where the canal runs.
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A memorial stone for a dam break that happened on the Main-Danube Canal at Katzwang.
See also
In Spanish: Canal Rin-Meno-Danubio para niños
