Final answer:
The Elbe River is the waterway that originates in the Czech Republic, flows through Dresden, Wittenberg, and Hamburg, and empties into the North Sea at Cuxhaven. It is central to commerce and transport in Central Europe, similar to the notable Rhine and Danube rivers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The river that rises in the Czech Republic, and passes through Dresden, Wittenberg, and Hamburg, before emptying into the North Sea at Cuxhaven is the Elbe River. The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It originates in the mountains of the Czech Republic, then flows through Germany and is indeed an important commercial waterway, especially prominent in the transportation of goods to the ports like Hamburg. Unlike the Rhine and Danube rivers, which are also significant rivers in Europe, the Elbe specifically connects to the North Sea at Cuxhaven.
Rivers like the Elbe are integral to European commerce and transportation, with the Rhine being a staple for industrial activity from southern Germany to the bustling port of Rotterdam, and the Danube flowing through various major European cities before reaching the Black Sea. Both the Rhine and Danube serve as crucial corridors for freight and economic exchanges in Europe.