Rhinen

Rhinen is the German-language term used to refer to the Rhine river system as a whole. In English, the river is simply called the Rhine. The plural form Rhinen appears in German texts when speaking of the river basins, tributaries, or regional areas associated with the Rhine, rather than as a separate river.

Geography and course. The Rhine has its sources in the Swiss Alps, from the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein in the canton of Graubünden near Reichenau. It flows north through Switzerland, forms part of the border with Liechtenstein, then along the border between Switzerland and Germany before turning more directly northward. It passes Basel and Strasbourg, traverses the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia, and finally reaches the North Sea via the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta in the Netherlands. Major urban and economic centers along its course include Basel, Strasbourg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and the Rotterdam area.

Economic and infrastructural significance. The Rhine is one of Europe’s busiest inland waterways, delivering critical freight transport and intermodal connectivity between Central Europe and the North Sea. Its corridor supports heavy industry, manufacturing, and logistics along both banks and across transnational hubs. Key ports and terminals operate along the river, with Basel and the Rhine–Ruhr region playing especially prominent roles.

History and environment. The Rhine has served as a major trade route and political boundary since ancient times, including Roman-era frontiers. Industrialization led to severe pollution in the 20th century, spurring coordinated cleanup efforts. The Rhine Action Programme and subsequent EU water directives helped restore water quality and biodiversity. Today, cross-border governance under bodies such as the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine coordinates environmental protection, navigation rights, and flood management across the basin.