fbpx

KidsKonnect

Elbe River Facts & Worksheets

One of the largest rivers in Central Europe is the Elbe. It begins in the northern Czech Giant Mountains, travels through most of Bohemia, passes through Germany, and ends at Cuxhaven, 110 kilometers northwest of Hamburg, wherein it empties into the North Sea.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Social Studies /Geography /Landmarks & Sights /Rivers /Elbe River Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

One of the largest rivers in Central Europe is the Elbe. It begins in the northern Czech Giant Mountains, travels through most of Bohemia, passes through Germany, and ends at Cuxhaven, 110 kilometers northwest of Hamburg, wherein it empties into the North Sea. The entire length of it is 1,094 km.

See the fact file below for more information about the Elbe River, or you can download our 28-page Elbe River worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • For a long period of the years, the Elbe has marked the boundaries of European geography. The river was known to the Romans as the Albis. Despite this, they only attempted once, and it failed at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE, to advance the border of their empire from the Rhine to the Elbe. After that, they never attempted again.
  • During the Middle Ages, Charlemagne’s empire had its eastern boundary marked by the Elbe. The Hanseatic League’s prosperity in the late Middle Ages depended heavily on the navigable portions of the river, which saw heavy trade traffic.
  • The Elbe separated the western regions of Germany from the so-called East Elbia in the east, where feudal lords possessed larger estates than in the west. Hence, soccage and serfdom had been more rigid and persisted longer than west of the river.
  • In the Middle Ages, the region of northern Germany north of the Lower Elbe was known as North Albingia. North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church was chosen when the four local Lutheran church bodies united. 
  • The Elbe River inspired the names of other administrative divisions, including the French département Bouches-de-l’Elbe (1811–1814), the Westphalian Elbe département (1807–1813) and Lower Elbe département (1810).
  • General Wenck of the German Twelfth Army was stationed west of Berlin to provide cover against the advancing forces of the United States and Great Britain. 
  • German armies retreated into one another. Consequently, the region under Wenck’s command to his rear and east of the Elbe River had turned into a sizable camp for German refugees escaping the advancing Soviet Army.
  • Wenck informed the German Supreme Army Command in Fuerstenberg on the night of April 28 that his Twelfth Army had been pushed back along the front. Wenck stated that no attack on Berlin was feasible because Busse’s Ninth Army could no longer be relied upon for support.
  • The armies of the Soviet Union advancing from the east and the Western Allies advancing from the west attacked Germany in 1945 as World War II was coming to an end. These two forces came together on April 25, 1945, on the Elbe, close to Torgau. Unofficially, the winning nations observed the day as Elbe Day. The Elbe was part of the inner German border separating East and West Germany from 1949 until 1990.
  • The Soviet Union claimed that Adolf Hitler’s ashes had been dispersed in the Elbe after being removed from their original resting place.

CHANNEL OF THE RIVER

  • In the Czech Republic, the Elbe rises 1,386 meters (4,547 feet) above sea level on the slopes of Mt. Violík in the Giant Peaks on the Czech Republic’s northwest borders, among the many tiny streams comprising the young river.
  • In Germany, the stream turns northwest shortly after leaving the Czechoslovak Republic and traveling through the sandstone gorges of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This direction is maintained throughout the stream’s journey to the North Sea.
  • After flowing through Dresden, the river finally enters the North German Plain and begins a lengthy journey across it. Along the way, it passes by Torgau, Wittenberg, Dessau, Magdeburg, Wittenberge, and Hamburg. 
  • Furthermore, it also takes on the waters of the Mulde and Saale from the west and the Schwarze Elster, Havel, and Elde from the east. The flat, extremely fertile Elbe Marshes are a feature of the river’s northern section on both banks.
  • The Elbe is tide-dependent from the Geesthacht sluice downstream. Numerous branch streams, including Dove Elbe, Gose Elbe, Köhlbrand, Norderelbe, Reiherstieg, and Süderelbe, exist within the city-state along the Unterelbe.
  • Some of which have dikes separating them from the mainstream for boats. In 1390, a dike linking the islands of Kirchwerder and Neuengamme divided the Gose Elbe from the mainstream.
  • Moreover, these hydraulic engineering projects were completed to enhance the Port of Hamburg’s water supply and safeguard marshlands from flooding.

TOWNS AND CITIES

  • The towns and cities along the Elbe River have a rich history, including several dating back centuries. According to the enchanting beauty of Dresden’s Baroque architecture and Hamburg’s vibrant art scene, the Elbe River region provides a wide range of cultural experiences.
  • Moreover, the Elbe River also flows through Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, adding to the allure of this stunning destination, which includes the iconic Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
  • The towns and cities of the Elbe River are as follows: Špindlerův Mlýn, Vrchlabí, Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Jaroměř, Smiřice, Hradec Králové,  Pardubice, Kolín, Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav, Mělník, Štětí, Roudnice nad Labem, Litoměřice, Děčín, Bad Schandau, Königstein, Pirna, Heidenau, Dresden, Radebeul, and others. 

NAVIGATION

  • Commercial ships have always been able to navigate the Elbe, and it offers crucial trade connections all the way inland to Prague. The Elbe Lateral Canal and Mittellandkanal connect the river to Berlin and Germany’s industrial regions.
  • The Kiel Canal, whose western entry is close to the Elbe’s mouth, and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal connect the Elbe to the Baltic Sea. The Elbe-Weser Shipping Channel connects the Elbe and the Weser. 
  • With inland navigation to Hamburg requiring a pass through the German Democratic Republic, waterway transport in Western Germany was impeded before the reunification of Germany. This link was restored with the construction of the Elbe-Seitenkanal (Elbe Lateral Canal) between the Lower Elbe and the West German portion of the Mittellandkanal. 
  • The Magdeburg Water Bridge enables big barges to cross the Elbe without entering the river. Improvements and restorations to the original connections were initiated upon the reunification of the two countries. Berlin navigation is no longer hampered by the Elbe’s frequently low water levels.

FERRIES

  • Numerous ferries, carrying both cars and passengers, cross the Elbe. These consist of: 
    • Aken Ferry of Steutz and Aken
    • Bleckede Ferry of Bleckede and Neu Bleckede
    • Coswig Ferry of Wörlitz and Coswig;
    • Ferchland Grieben Ferry of Ferchland and Grieben
    • Lenzen Pevestorf Ferry of Lenzen and Pevestorf
    • Neu Darchau Darchau Ferry of Darchau and Neu Darchau
    • Räbel Havelberg Ferry of Räbel and Havelberg
    • Ronney Barby Ferry of Barby and Walternienburg
    • Tochheim Ferry of Tochheim and Alt Tochheim
    • Sandau Büttnershof Ferry of Sandau and Büttnershof
    • Schartau Rogätz Ferry between Schartau and Rogätz
    • Westerhüsen Ferry, close to Magdeburg of Westerhüsen
  • Moreover, for locals and visitors alike, these boats provide a handy and picturesque means of transportation between various villages and cities along the river.

Elbe River Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Elbe River across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Elbe River. It begins in the northern Czech Giant Mountains, travels through most of Bohemia, passes through Germany, and ends at Cuxhaven, 110 kilometers northwest of Hamburg, wherein it empties into the North Sea. The entire length of it is 1,094 km.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Elbe River Facts
  2. Which One?
  3. Fascinating Ferries!
  4. #OtheRiver
  5. Mark The History
  6. Wheel You Find It?
  7. Tell Me A Story
  8. #COME-PAS
  9. Around The Elbe
  10. Exit Pass
  11. River Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Elbe River located?

The Elbe River is a major river in Central Europe. It originates in the Czech Republic and flows through Germany, forming part of the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. It then continues through Germany and empties into the North Sea in northern Germany.

What is the significance of the Elbe River in terms of transportation?

The Elbe River has historically been an important transportation route. It connects various cities and regions in Central Europe, facilitating trade and commerce. The river is navigable for a significant stretch, allowing for the transportation of goods by barges and ships. Several ports along the Elbe contribute to its role in regional and international trade.

Are there any notable cities located along the banks of the Elbe River?

Yes, there are several notable cities along the Elbe River. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is situated along the upper reaches of the river. In Germany, some major cities along the Elbe include Dresden, Magdeburg, and Hamburg. These cities have historical and cultural significance and are often popular tourist destinations.

What environmental concerns are associated with the Elbe River?

The Elbe River has faced environmental challenges, including pollution and habitat degradation. Industrial activities, agriculture runoff, and urban development have contributed to water quality issues. Efforts have been made to address these concerns through environmental protection initiatives and regulations to ensure the sustainable use of the river and its surrounding ecosystems.

Is the Elbe River known for any historical events or landmarks?

The Elbe River has witnessed various historical events. One significant event occurred during World War II when the Elbe River became a symbolic meeting point between American and Soviet forces on April 25, 1945, marking a key moment toward the end of the war in Europe. Additionally, the river and its surroundings are dotted with historic castles, bridges, and towns that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the regions through which it flows.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Elbe River Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 28, 2024

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources