Seine River in Paris, France

Danube River in Vienna, Austria

Irish Sea in Howth, Ireland

Here you can see three different bodies of water in three different European countries, France, Austria, and Ireland. These three bodies of water play major roles in the lives of the people who reside in the countries. All three pictures not only exemplify the natural beauty the water brings to these cities but it also represents the technological and economical significance that they have.  Both rivers and sea are major sources of energy, provide access to shipping and trade, and are dependable tourist attractions.

These rivers and sea are also, despite their beauty, heavily polluted and contaminated. With a growing consciousness to environmental issues, each country is attempting to address these problems in different ways.