Rhine River Facts

Name Origin

• The Rhine River is a name which stems from a Celtic word meaning "raging flow."

Beginning and the End

• The river starts as a stream at the Rheinwaldhorn Glacier, located in the Swiss Alps. The Rhine river empties out into the North Sea.

Navigation

• The Rhine River passes through four European countries: Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands.

The Shoreline

• The shore line is dotted with many castles. There are more castles along the Rhine River than in any other river valley worldwide.

Military Importance

• Since the time of the Roman Empire, the river has serves as an important military strategy for many armies.

Fun Fact

• The Lorelei is a legendary rock located on the Rhine River. It has been the inspiration for numerous tales, songs and poems.