The Tiber is a river in Italy (Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria). With a length of 405 km, it is the third longest river in the country after the Po and the Adige. Its river basin covers an area of 16 500 km². In ancient times, the river was under the influence of the ancient Roman god Tiber. It rises in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. In the upper and middle reaches it flows mainly in gorges and basins between mountains. On its tributaries there are waterfalls and rapids (La Marmore and Tivoli) and on the lower reaches it flows through the Maremma plain. At the mouth of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it forms a delta of 250 km².
The water source is mainly rainwater. It reaches its highest water level from November to March or April. Flooding is frequent. The average annual water flow is 260 m³/s. The river carries a large amount of solids. Water transport is possible for smaller boats below Rome. Several hydroelectric power stations have been built on the river and its tributaries (Corbarabasci, Galleto). The water is used for irrigation.
According to legend, the city of Rome was founded in 753 BC on the banks of the Tiber about 25 km from the sea at Ostia. The island of Tiber in the middle of the river between Trastevere and the ancient centre of the city became the site of an important ancient ford. It was later bridged. According to legend, the founders of Rome, the twins Romulus and Remus, were abandoned on its waters, where they were rescued by the she-wolf Lupa.
