International Day of Action for Rivers: A view of the Po River
14 March is the International Day of Action for Rivers, dedicated to honouring the role of rivers in supporting the health of the environment and life on Earth. An example of one important river is the Po, the longest river in Italy. Rising in the Cottian Alps and emptying into the Adriatic Sea, the Po’s drainage basin covers over 70,000 km2, creating Italy’s most fertile plain. The river has played a pivotal role in shaping Italy’s culture, economy, and environment for thousands of years, serving as a crucial resource for agriculture, industry, and wildlife.
This image of northern Italy, produced with data from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service Hydro River Network Database, shows the Po River and its many tributaries.
Copernicus data is key to monitoring bodies of water around the world, delivering essential insights for their conservation and sustainable management.
