Rivers in France: description, meaning

France has a unique geographical location - on all sides it is protected from external elements, thanks to which the spectacular paradise corners appear here.

Among the amazing fairy-tale beauty stretch no less delightful rivers. There are a lot of them in France. But first - a bit about the geographical location and the magnificent mountains.

Geography: mountains of France

In France, there are such famous mountains as the Alps (they stretched to the south at 370 km from the north) and Mont Blanc (height 4 4807 meters). The latter has the highest peak in Europe.

Forests are the thickest in the mountains of the Jura, located near the Alps.

Pyrenees represent the unique natural border of France with Germany and stretch from west to east for 430 km (the height reaches up to 3000 meters).

In the center of the country rise the peaks of Puy de Sancy (height 1886 m). In these areas, and begin their long journey of beautiful rivers in France.

Moreover, there are mountains dividing the country into different climatic zones. These are the peaks of Sevenne (the western regions have a humid climate, the eastern ones are drier).

There are also the mountains of Vosges (altitude about 1400 m) and the Ardennes (no more than 700 m).

Rivers

Almost all the rivers in France begin in the Central mountain range and flow to the Mediterranean or to the Atlantic Ocean.

The origins of the Garonne River (length - 650 km) are located in the Pyrenees of Spain. In France, it flows through Bordeaux and Toulouse and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its main tributaries are Lo, Tarn and Dordogne.

The most abundant is the magnificent Rhone with a length of 812 kilometers. She has an interesting nickname because of her troubled current - an "enraged bull". It originates from the Ron Glacier in the Swiss Alps. Its largest tributaries are Isere, Sonna and Durance. It flows through the famous fairy-tale Geneva Lake (Switzerland).

Sen

All the rivers of France are beautiful in their own way. But the most important river in France, the most famous and beautiful - the Seine (length - 775 km). In translation, its name means "tranquility." It flows through the flat regions of the country, having a widely ramified system. Its right tributaries are the Marne and the Oise, and the left is the Yonne.

The surprisingly calm river provides the traffic of a multitude of ships between the cities of Rouen and Paris.

Laura

The longest is the river, which has a very beautiful name. It is also the largest in Europe in the west of the Rhine, the most unique and beautiful of all European rivers. Its basin has an area equal to the territory of England or Italy.

Its length is 1020 kilometers. By right it is the longest river in France, having its origins in the Central Massif. However, navigation here is developed only in the lower reaches of the river. The most full months for it - December and January (the volume of water increases about 8 times). Its beaches are of great value because of the presence of white limestone, used for the construction of temples and palaces.

Prior to this river, there were important trade routes, and it was called the "river-queen".

Traveling through this delightful beauty, the river offers the opportunity to enjoy the fabulous landscapes of its shores, where you can see the magnificent ancient medieval palaces with a unique architecture and curious history.

A little more about Laura

A distinctive feature in comparison with other rivers is not only France, but also Europe - its peculiar flow. It is either fast or slow. Sometimes its waters gather in huge streams, and then again they are spread over numerous branches.

The river is also rapids, but it does not stop to use it for navigation. On it, in the Middle Ages, the goods of the Mediterranean were transported to England downstream on special rafts, barges, who later dealt with the forest. In the reverse way, the goods were transported by land.

France: cities, rivers, economy

Surprisingly rich in water resources this country. The rivers here have a huge energy and transport importance. They provide uninterrupted water supply to cities and other settlements, and also play an important role in agriculture. It is appropriate to recall the process of irrigation - the supply of water to the fields.

At the same time, different parts of the country are not all equally provided with water. For example, the Mediterranean regions are experiencing a deficit, which adversely affects the development of the economy of these regions.

The rivers in France (most of them) originate in the center of the country, so they are of considerable importance in the economy.

Shipping is one of the most affordable and cheapest modes of transport. Thanks to it, economic ties are maintained not only between the French regions, but also with neighboring countries, in particular, with Germany across the Rhine River.

A small number of vineyards of southern territories and fields with cereals are supported by irrigation with river waters.

In addition, rivers, like other objects of nature, contribute to the development of tourism. Thus, in France more than a thousand river cruises are daily performed, boat trips, rafting, etc.