The European Union's second longest river, the Danube River, flows for nearly 1,800 miles through some of eastern Europe's most populous and frequently visited cities. In less modern times it served as the traffic connection between Eastern and Western Europe. Today the Danube still supplies the European Union with drinking water, power production, and irrigation for farmland.http://193.138.94.60/icpdr-files/9417

Starting from the west, the Danube begins in Germany, east of the Rhine. It travels on a north-easterly path, north of Munich, then turns south in Austria. The river crosses Vienna and Bratislava before turning sharply south at Budapest, Hungary. It turns east again in Croatia and crosses Belgrade. The river makes up the border between Serbia, Montenegro and Romania, as well as between Romania and Bulgaria. East of Bucharest, the river turns north toward Moldova and ends at the Black Sea, several hundred kilometers south-west of Odessa.http://193.138.94.60/icpdr-files/9417

The Danube is a drink water source for over ten million people, especially in Germany. The water is heavily polluted throughout Austria and Hungary, and becomes drinkable again in parts of Romania.

Danube River Cruises are available for those that like boat tours and wish to appreciate culture and scenery. Danube River cruises pass through several countries including Germany, Austria and Hungary. http://www.danuberivercruise.com.