Gudenå or Gudenåen (pronounced [ˈɡuˀðn̩ˌɔːˀn̩]), is Denmark's longest river and runs through the central parts of the Jutlandic peninsula. An anglicized version of the name often seen is 'The River Guden'. Gudneåen came into existence some 15,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, when melting ice and glacial streams carved out its bed. The river shelters many species of animals and parts of its run, is to be protected under the regulations of Natura 2000.