Aare

Aare also Aar (ancient Obringa), major river, central and northern Switzerland. The source of the Aare is in Bern Canton; the river flows through the city of Bern, Switzerland's capital. It is connected by canals to Lake Biel and flows through a spectacular gorge near Meiringen. The Aare joins the Rhine near Koblenz in Aargau, opposite the town of Waldshut, Germany. The main tributaries are the Reuss and Limmat rivers. The Aare, the longest river located entirely in Switzerland, is about 280 km (175 mi) long; it drains an area of over 6,800 sq km (2,625 sq mi), is extensively used for hydroelectric power generation, and is navigable from the mouth to the town of Thun.