Vltava

The Vltava ( listen; German: Moldau) is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source near the German Border in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník. It is 430 kilometres (270 mi) long and drains about 28,090 square kilometres (10,850 sq mi); at their confluence the Vltava actually has more water than the Elbe, but joins the Elbe at a right angle to its flow so that it appears a mere tributary. The river is crossed by 18 bridges (including the famous Charles Bridge, shown below) as it runs through Prague. It covers 31 kilometres (19 mi) within the city. Several dams were built on it in the 1950s, the biggest being Lipno Dam in Šumava.