How would life be different for people in basel switzerland if they didn’t have the rhine river

The Rhine River is the soul of Basel and the heartbeat of Switzerland.

While many cities in Europe have a dominant monument that makes the place instantly recognizable, usually a historic building, an impressive cathedral or picturesque square, the defining landmark of Basel very much is the Rhine River.

Straddling this historical waterway, the city of Basel has grown over centuries into a powerful trading hub, though most of us tourists will stay right around the stunning historical quarter in the city center, around the mighty Rhine.