Large rivers of Poland and famous lakes that are breathtaking

Poland is an amazing European country with a rich historical layer and remarkable architecture. However, do not forget about the natural wealth that is located in the territory of this remarkable state: the major rivers and lakes of Poland, waterfalls, mountains, caves and much more.

Today we will pay attention to the natural water resources themselves, which attract the admired views of tourists and are the pride of the local residents. We will find out which rivers of Poland are considered the greatest, and which lakes are the deepest.

The longest river

The largest river in Poland is Wisla, which occupies about 1,047 km (651 miles) in length. Its total area is 194,424 kilometers ² (or 75068 square miles). The Vistula is so large that several of its tributaries are in three neighboring countries: Belarus, Slovakia and Ukraine. Still, most of the river, namely its 168,699 kilometers ² ( 65,135 square miles), lies within the borders of Poland, dividing it in two.

Other rivers and lakes of Poland can not compete in size with the Vistula, so it rightfully ranks first among the giants. It flows through a number of large Polish cities, among which are Krakow and Warsaw, and is also the longest river flowing into the Baltic Sea.

Odra - the second longest river in Poland

The sources of Odra are in the neighboring Czech Republic, and the territory covered in Poland is about 750 kilometers. In length, it goes immediately beyond the Vistula and has several large tributaries: Nasa, Nysa-Luzhitska and Bubr. The name of the river Odra means water or current. Once upon a time it was part of one of the most famous European trade routes, which was called the Amber Route. Odra, as well as the Vistula, flows into the Baltic Sea, but it is considerably inferior in size.

The Vistula and Odra are not the only major rivers of Poland, there are also Neisse, the Western Bug, the Warta and several others. However, the total length and large basins of the first two undoubtedly distinguish them from the others.

The rivers of Poland are not the only owners of large sizes. It should be noted and several lakes, which can boast of their depth, width and extent.

The largest lake

The title of the largest on the right belongs to Lake Snyardva. It is located on the side of the Mazurian Lakes in the north-east of the country and is a direct part of this water system. The Snyardva area is 113.4 square kilometers and the depth is 23.4 meters. The lake also serves as a location for eight large islands.

Being part of the Masurian Lakes, Sniardwy, along with other nearby water areas, is located in the Masurian Landscape Park. Scientists from all over the world come to the lake to spend time studying birds in a special protected area.

The deep lake of Hanja and the long Lake Jeziorak

Lake Khancha is located in the northern Suwalki region together with other 160 lakes. Hancha is the deepest lake not only on the territory of Poland, but also throughout the European lowland. Its depth is an impressive 108.5 meters, and the surface area reaches 304.4 hectares. Hancha has the status of a reserve, that is, a nature reserve protected by the state. It can easily be confused with a mountain lake because of crystal clear water and the absence of any underwater vegetation on the bottom. Unlike typical reservoirs located in the lowland, the beaches of Hancha are rocky.

As for Lake Yezorak, it is located in the northeast of Poland, within the boundaries of Lake Ilya. In length it reaches 27.45 kilometers, and the surface area occupies only the sixth place.

The Charna-Khancha River and Lake Vigry

ом Ханьча) вместе с озером Вигры, которые по праву являются двумя самыми ценными природными объектами региона Августовской пущи. It is also worth noting the Czarna-Khancha River (not to be confused with Lake Khancha) along with Lake Wigry, which are by right the two most valuable natural objects of the Augustowa Forest region.

Other rivers and lakes are an integral part of the Charna-Hancha. So, for example, it is a tributary of the Neman River and meets Lake Wigry. Its length is about 147 kilometers. The whole section of Czarna-Hancha before the confluence of the lake represents an uncontrollable stream of turbulent currents resembling a mountain river. Coming out of the Wigry, this stream is completely transformed: wild water calms down and is no different from a typical lowland river. The river is very popular with active travelers and extreme lovers of kayaking.

Dimensions of Lake Wigry are 2187 hectares, and the maximum recorded depth is 73 meters. On all sides it is surrounded by steep banks, and in the vicinity lie dense forests. Vigry is a favorite place for tourists from all over the world. On one of the banks there is an ancient monastery of the 15th century, which once served as a refuge for the monks-hermits.

Both natural resources, the river and the lake, lie in a protected area, also known as the Hungarian National Park. It was founded in 1989, and its area covers more than 15 thousand hectares.