Which major European rivers begin in the Alps?

The Alps serve as a vital source for many of Europe's major rivers, which flow from the mountain range to reach the North, Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black seas.1

Key rivers that originate in the Alps include:

• Rhône River: Emerging from the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps, it is the only major river flowing directly into the Mediterranean Sea.23
• Rhine River: This major European waterway begins from two small headwaters in the Swiss Alps and flows north to the North Sea.4
• Po River: Rising in the Monte Viso group of the Cottian Alps, it is Italy's longest river and flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea.5
• Danube River: While the main river itself touches the Alps near Vienna, the mountain range is the source of numerous tributaries that feed into the Danube, eventually reaching the Black Sea.16