western Europe formed by the confluence of two tributaries in eastern Switzerland and flowing about 1,319 km (820 mi) north and northwest through Germany and the Netherlands to its two-pronged outlet on the North Sea.
The Rhine rises in Switzerland and also flows through Liechtenstein, Austria (it forms the border with Switzerland), Germany, France (where it forms the border with Germany) and the Netherlands.
The Rhine has frozen in places, (It's a long river), but the last time was the winter of 1962-63.
trade along the river by ship had its beginning during Roman times.
No. The "Fertile Crescent" was in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Considering that that's modern-day Iraq, it doesn't seem so fertile any more.
Avalon offers a variety of cruises on the Rhine river. With the newest, quietest, and most spacious ships, state-of-the-art resort-style amenities, and incomparable service by English-speaking crews, Avalon lets you experience the region in a world-class way. You can take a virtual tour of several of our ships at http://avalonwaterways.com/common/Experience/index.html
trade along the river by ship had its beginning during Roman times.