Tiber

the chief river of central Italy. It rises in the Apennines and flows about 212 miles southwest to the Mediterranean. It passes through the walls of Rome on its way to the sea. It is navigable for small steamers for about ninety miles. Within the walls of Rome it is about 300 feet wide and from 12 to 18 feet deep. Being fed by numerous mountain torrents, the Tiber is liable to serious inundations. At Rome it is a yellow flood, discolored by the burden of earth brought down from the Apennines. The sediment of the river deposited at its mouth has carried the outlet several miles into the Mediterranean. The river is inseparably connected with the history of the Romans, who called it "Father Tiber." A modern ship canal is projected along the northern bank from Rome to the mouth of the river with a view to make Rome a seaport.