Cities that are halved by rivers

[jw5]

Some of the world's greatest rivers have given birth to some of the world's greatest cities. A city created either side of a wide, deep river provides it with a watercourse for transport and trade, a source of drinking water, and numerous recreational opportunities. A river also heightens its visual appeal: some of the most beautiful bridges ever built are those spanning river banks in cities around the globe. So, where can you admire the best city and river combinations?

 

[jw5]

London -

The River Thames cuts through London, the UK capital, on its way to the Thames estuary where it drains into the North Sea.

 

[jw5]

Paris -

Paris is bisected by the Sein. After flowing through the French capital, the river continues north to meet the English Channel at Le Havre.

 

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Budapest -

Budapest is literally cut in two by the magnificent Danube River, which separates Buda, on the west bank, from Pest—the eastern part of Hungarian capital.

 

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Chicago -

The Chicago River is wedged between towering skyscrapers as it makes its way through the center of one of the most iconic cities in the United States. Fun fact: its waters are dyed green every March in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

 

[jw5]

Porto -

Portugal's Douro River meanders through Porto, the country's second city, to meet the Atlantic Ocean. The river rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in Spain to flow through the Douro Valley, a UNESCO-protected Portuguese wine region.

 

[jw5]

Moscow -

Rising about 140 km (90 mi) west of Moscow, the River Moskva passes through the center of the Russian capital and continues into the Oka, a tributary of the Volga⁠—the longest river in Europe⁠—which ultimately flows into the Caspian Sea.

 

[jw5]

Dublin -

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is served by the River Liffey, which flows through the city center to its mouth within Dublin Bay.

 

[jw5]

Seoul -

The wide Han River cuts Seoul, the capital of South Korea, in half, but there are numerous bridges in place to connect either side of the metropolis.

 

[jw5]

Prague -

Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is served by the Vltava. The waterway meanders through the historic center and is spanned by several iconic bridges, most notably Charles Bridge.

 

[jw5]

Basel -

The Rhine flows through the center of Basel, a destination considered to be the cultural capital of Switzerland.

 

[jw5]

Salzburg -

Fed by alpine meltwater, the Salzach adds a picturesque perspective to the Austrian city of Salzburg, separating as it does the Old Town from the modern district.

 

[jw5]

Shanghai -

Shanghai, the most populous urban area in China, is seen here bisected by the Huangpu River, which separates Pudong district on its eastern bank from the the historic city center in Puxi.

 

[jw5]

Florence -

The Italian city of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is divided in two by the Arno. Among the bridges spanning the waterway is the outstanding medieval Ponte Vecchio.

 

[jw5]

Cairo -

One of the world's most iconic rivers flows through one of the world's most iconic cities, with the Nile intrinsically linked to the history and development of Cairo and of Egypt itself.

 

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Washington, D.C. -

The Potomac River forms part of the borders between Maryland and Washington, D.C., and West Virginia and Virginia. Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac at the US capital.

 

[jw5]

Bordeaux -

Bordeaux is blessed by the Garonne, which nourishes the wine capital of the world by running through the eastern districts of this French city.

 

[jw5]

Mainz -

The German city of Mainz in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Main, with both serving as a natural division of the city.

 

[jw5]

Frankfurt -

The Main River proper flows through the center of Frankfurt to give this global commercial hub its official name, Frankfurt am Main.

 

[jw5]

Yaroslavl -

Historic Yaroslavl, located 250 km (160 mi) northeast of Moscow, sits at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl rivers. Parts of Yaroslavl are divided by tributaries of the Volga.