Mur

The Mur is a river in Central Europe that runs through Austria and Slovenia. It rises in the Austrian Alps and flows southeast through the Styrian region, then crosses into Slovenia where it passes the city of Maribor before joining the Drava, a Danube tributary. With an approximate length of 450 kilometers, and a basin area around 12,000 square kilometers, the Mur drains a varied landscape of alpine slopes, hills, and plains. In its upper course it forms part of the border between Austria and Slovenia for a stretch.

The river's course supports hydroelectric plants and reservoirs, particularly in Austria, while Slovenia has pursued river restoration and habitat improvement projects. The Mur supports diverse fish and riparian ecosystems and is used for recreation such as kayaking, rafting and fishing. Water quality has improved in recent decades, though it remains affected by agricultural runoff and urban development along its banks.

Culturally, the Mur is closely associated with several communities. The city of Graz on the river basin has the Murinsel, a notable floating artificial island in the middle of the river, as a landmark and symbol of the city. The Mur also shapes regional history, with towns and industries aligned along its course.