Rhone River

      from the Gaulish "rodo or roto", meaning "that which rolls" or "that which runs"
Location: Genevra
      Countries:
France Genevra Savoy
Switzerland
Primary Source: Rhone Glacier
Secondary Source: None
Mouth: Mediterranean Sea
Length: 813 km

      The Rhone is one of the major rivers in Europe, flowing straight through the center of Genevra from its origins high in the Swiss Alps. It also carves a path through a portion of France and Savoy on its way towards emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Historically, not only is the Rhone important in the history of Europe, but it is absolutely vital in the context of Genevra. For centuries the waterway served as an artery for the transportation of goods up and down the length of breadth of the nation. The initial Roman settlements were founded in this location for just such a purpose.
      During the Industrial Revolution, however, the Rhone became a cesspool of sewage and waste that made it unsuitable for drinking and an unsightly detraction. In the post-World War II reconstruction of the Genevran state, a committment was made to move beyond such callous disregard for one of Genevra's most valuable natural treasures. As such, the Rhone today as it cuts through the cities of Montereau and Lafayette is a tree-lined paradise that reflects beautifully upon the river's clear water.