Klarälven

Klarälven is a river that runs through both Norway and Sweden. Together with Göta älv, so named because the river flows through Lake Vänern and is thus considered an entity, Göta älv—Klarälven is the longest river in Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, and its Swedish section is the longest river in Sweden. These two rivers also have the largest drainage basins in the same areas, totaling 50,229 km2 (19,394 sq mi) when all rivers that flow into Vänern are included, 42,468 km2 (16,397 sq mi) in Sweden and 7,761 km2 (2,997 sq mi) in Norway.

It originates on the northeast side of Mount Brändstöten and flows through a couple of smaller lakes down to Lake Rogen in Härjedalen, Sweden, before entering the Norwegian Hedmark and flowing through Lake Femunden. It is known as Femundelva and Trysilelva there. The rest of the river, the longest section, flows through Värmland before emptying into Vänern in a delta at Karlstad.

Vänern, in turn, drains into Göta älv before reaching the sea at Gothenburg. The river has historically provided significant economic benefits by serving as a suitable transport route for log driving, and it is now internationally recognized as having excellent sport fishing waters.

Length: 460 km (290 mi)