The Volga River is the largest river in Europe, the largest in Russia. This is the longest river in the world, flowing into the inland water body - the Caspian Sea.
Interesting facts about the Volga
The river basin occupies an area whose area is equal to the area of half of Europe.
The Volga River (a brief description is given below) has more than one and a half hundred tributaries - this is one of the highest rates on the planet. On average, water needs 37 days to go from source to mouth, as the flow rate is about 4 km per hour. Volga is one of the few rivers that have their own holiday - in Russia May 20 is considered to be Volga Day.
Volga River: a brief description of the geographical location
The Volga flows through the territory of Russia, only a small branch of Kigach goes east to the Atyrau region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Volga River (a brief description for the children will go below) begins in the Tver region near the village, which is called Volgoverkhovye.
Here its source is a small brook that crosses lakes after a few kilometers - first Small, and then Big Verkhity, giving strength to the great river. About a third of the
European part of Russia is washed by the waters of the Volga basin. The Volga and its tributaries flow through the territory of thirty administrative regions of Russia and one region of Kazakhstan.
The mouth of the river is located in the
Astrakhan region and is the largest delta in Europe of the many branches that flow into the Caspian Sea.
Historical information
The Volga, as an important trade artery of Eurasia, has been known to mankind for a long time. Having a large length and advantageous geographical position, it was especially popular with merchants. As early as the 5th century BC, Herodotus, the ancient Greek philosopher, mentioned it in his treatise on the campaign of King Darius to the Scythian tribes. He called the Volga Oar. In ancient Arabic chronicles it is listed as Itil.
By the 10th century AD, the famous Volga trade route was formed, connecting Scandinavia with Arab countries. Large shopping centers were formed on the banks of the great river: the Khazar Itil and Bulgar, the Russians Murom, Novgorod, Suzdal. In the 16-18 centuries, such large cities as Saratov, Samara, Volgograd appeared on the Volga map. Here, in the Volga steppes, the insurgent Cossacks and peasants hid. Giving a brief description of the Volga, it should be noted that at all times it performed an important economic function - it connected ports within the country and was a highway for communication between different states. In the middle of the 20th century, after the Volga-Don Canal was formed, the political function of the river increased - access to the Azov and Black Seas, and therefore to the World Ocean.
Volga basin nature
The Volga River is rich in natural resources. A brief description of the main species of plants and animals is given below. There are four types of plants in water: algae, submerged aquatic, aquatic with floating leaves, amphibians. A wide variety of herbs (wormwood, sedge, mint, marshmallow, euphorbia) grows in the coastal areas, since the Volga delta is covered with extensive meadows. In abundance of blackberries and reeds. For hundreds of kilometers along the Volga there are forest belts with birches, ash, willows, poplars. This is a brief description of the Volga River, its flora.
The fauna of the river is also diverse. About fifty species of fish live in the water, including sturgeon, beluga, stellate stellate. Coastal open spaces densely populated by birds and animals. The special nature in the Volga delta, where the unique Astrakhan reserve is located. Many insects, birds, mammals live in it and a wide variety of plants grows. Some representatives of the fauna existing in the reserve are listed in the Red Book: mute swan, pelican, white-tailed eagle, seal.
Major cities of the Volga region
The Volga region has an advantageous position both from a geographical and economic point of view. Nearby are the developed areas of the Urals, Central Russia and Kazakhstan. It supplies settlements with water, energy, the Volga River is the main highway. A brief description of the most vibrant cities is given below. On the banks of the Volga are many large and small cities, with their unique attractions and amazing history. The largest are Kazan, Samara, Volgograd.
Kazan is a beautiful and ancient city, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Cities. From the side of the Kazanka river - the left tributary of the Volga - you can see the Kazan Kremlin complex: the Annunciation Cathedral of the 16th century, the Kul Sharif mosque, the falling tower of Syuyumbike. The Kremlin is the main attraction of the city.
Samara is also a city located at the meeting point of three rivers - Samara, Soka and Volga. The main attractions are the bell tower of the Iversky Convent, Samara Embankment, and the historical center of the city.
Hero city Volgograd is one of the most beautiful settlements in Russia. Of the many cultural and historical attractions of the city, Mamaev Kurgan, located on the banks of the Volga, Kazan Cathedral, central Embankment should be noted.
On the banks of the Volga there are also smaller, distinctive cities and towns with their historical heritage and cultural monuments.