Always, the Rhine River has been a liquid lifeline for public and commercial transportation in Europe. Towns, cities, and whole countries, (e.g. France, Germany, the Netherlands) have grown upon its shores into societies and economies of grand scale. It’s also a heck of a lot of fun to sail a boat or ship upon, as I will be showing you in the coming weeks (i.e., Christmas Markets.)
The Rhine River is navigable, which makes all of the difference in the world. As a similarity, the United States has made it crystal clear what waters of the states are navigable, protected by law and overseen by the federal government, (Navigable Waters Protection Rule 2020 and 2025, EPA and ACOE.) Economic navigation of the river, from tugs and barges filled with raw materials, agricultural products and other goods that sustain its communities, to pleasure-seeking riverboats filled with tourists, travel freely. Traffic, like water itself, flows from the mountainous headwaters to the Atlantic Ocean (Amsterdam.) In the past, emperors and kings of castles on the Rhine took a fare toll from each passing ship, and they had a literal monopoly backed with armies and weapons; (look for these “tollbooth” towers and castles in the video.) The present brings better cooperation amongst the countries to use and maintain this vital resource of both foreign and domestic trade.
History shows us the importance of navigable waters for trade and transportation. Enjoy these photos of the 24-hour a day/7 days a week business on the Rhine River.