The Oder is an approximately 852 km | 528.13 mi long river in Central Europe that flows through Germany and Poland. It rises in the Czech part of the Giant Mountains and then crosses parts of Poland and Germany before flowing into the Baltic Sea. The Oder has a significant ecological role and is of great economic importance for the region. Its course is characterized by natural floodplains, wetlands and a diverse range of flora and fauna. In addition, the Oder forms the border between Germany and Poland in some places.