The Werra (German pronunciation: [ˈvɛʁa]), a river in central Germany, is the right-bank headwater of the Weser. "Weser" is a synonym in an old dialect of German. The Werra has its source near Eisfeld in southern Thuringia. After 293 kilometres (182 mi) the Werra joins the river Fulda in the town of Hann. Münden, forming the Weser. If the Werra is included as part of the Weser, the Weser is the longest river entirely within German territory at 744 kilometres (462 mi).

Werra
Course of the Werra
Location
CountryGermany
States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates50°29′59″N 10°57′53″E / 50.4997°N 10.96478°E / 50.4997; 10.96478
 • elevation797 m above sea level (NN)
Mouth 
 • location
confluence with the Fulda
in Hann. Münden to form the Weser
 • coordinates
51°25′16″N 9°38′57″E / 51.42097496°N 9.6491679°E / 51.42097496; 9.6491679
 • elevation
116.5 m above sea level (NN)
Length299.6 km (186.2 mi) [1]
Basin size5,496 km2 (2,122 sq mi) [2]
Discharge 
 • locationam Pegel Meiningen[3]
 • average14.0 m3/s (490 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationVacha[3]
 • average23.6 m3/s (830 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationGerstungen[3]
 • average30.9 m3/s (1,090 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationFrankenroda[3]
 • average40.6 m3/s (1,430 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationAllendorf[3]
 • average46.5 m3/s (1,640 cu ft/s)
  • Location:
    Letzter Heller, bei Hann. Münden[3]
  • Average rate: 51.2 m3/s (1,810 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionWeserNorth Sea
Landmarks
Tributaries 
 • leftUlster, Felda, Wehre
 • rightSchleuse, Hasel, Hörsel
Navigable89 km (55 mi); motor boats in places, but not throughout
Map

Its valley, the Werratal, has many tributaries and is a relative lull between the Rhön Mountains and the Thuringian Forest.

Its attractions include Eiben Forest near Dermbach, an unusual sandstone cave at Walldorf, the deepest lake in Germany formed by subsidence (near Bernshausen), and Krayenburg, the ruins of a castle.

Its towns and main settlements are Hildburghausen, Meiningen, Bad Salzungen, Tiefenort, Merkers-Kieselbach, Vacha, Heringen, Philippsthal, Gerstungen, Wanfried, Eschwege, Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Witzenhausen and Hannoversch Münden.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Messung über Geopfad (kmz, 66 kB). Die Werte von 292,1 km (ohne Quellbäche) bzw. 298,7 km (über Quelle am Eselsberg) wurden um 0,9 km nach oben korrigiert, da laut hessischer Stationierung die Ulstermündung an km 161,6 liegt, im Geopfad jedoch an 160,7.
  2. ^ Environmental map service of Lower Saxony (Umweltkartendienst des Niedersächsischen Ministeriums für Umwelt, Energie und Klimaschutz)
  3. ^ a b c d e f Gewässerkundliches Jahrbuch Weser-Ems 2005 - PDF, 6,7 MB
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  •   Media related to Werra at Wikimedia Commons