Aare, Alpine river in Central Switzerland
The Aare begins in the Bernese Alps and flows 291 kilometers through Switzerland before joining the Rhine at Koblenz. The waterway passes through several cantons, connecting different regions of central Switzerland along its course.
During the La Tène period, settlements along the waterway used it for trade and transport. Over the centuries, the river developed into an important route for moving goods between different parts of Switzerland.
The waterway bears a Celtic name and passes through several cantons today, with different communities and landscapes lining its banks. During summer months, locals use the water for swimming and often drift downstream with the current, carrying their clothes in waterproof bags.
The waterway can be crossed at several points, with numerous bridges and passages connecting the banks. For swimmers, it helps to watch the current and only enter the water at spots recommended by locals.
More than 40 hydroelectric plants along the waterway generate a significant portion of Switzerland's energy. The river also drains roughly half of the country's land area, collecting water from a wide network of tributaries.
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