There are many rivers that radiate out in different directions from the Alpine Mountain System in southern Europe. The rivers are navigable and are inter-connected by canals to form an efficient system of waterways. Thus, several big towns and cities have sprung up along the banks of these rivers. The rivers are important for industries too. Large rivers such as Volga, Danube and the Rhine flow through many countries and are considered ‘international rivers’. There are many small rivers in Europe too. They are important for navigation in the countries through which they flow