River Volga: a brief description of the great Russian river

The Volga River is the largest river in Europe, the most abundant in Russia. It is the longest river in the world, which flows into the inner reservoir - the Caspian Sea.

Interesting facts about the Volga

The basin of the river occupies an area equal to half of Europe. The Volga River (a brief description given below) has more than a hundred and fifty tributaries - this is one of the record indicators on the planet. An average of 37 days is necessary for water to pass from the source to the mouth, since the current velocity is about 4 km per hour. Volga is one of the few rivers that have their own holiday - in Russia on May 20 it is considered to be the Day of the Volga.

River Volga: a brief description of the geographical location

The Volga flows through Russia, only a small sleeve of Kigach goes east to the Atyrau region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Volga River (a short description for children will go below) begins in the Tver region near the village, which is called Volgoverkhovye. Here its source is a small streamlet, which, after a few kilometers, crosses the lakes - at first the Lesser and then the Great Verhitas, which give forces 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 represents the largest delta in Europe from the numerous branches that flow into the Caspian Sea.

Historical background

The Volga, as an important trading artery of Eurasia, is known to mankind for a long time. Having a great length and advantageous geographical position, it was very popular with traders. As early as the 5th century BC Herodotus, an ancient Greek philosopher, mentioned it in his treatise on the campaign of King Darius to the Scythian tribes. He called the Volga Oar. In the ancient Arab chronicles it is listed as Itil.

By the 10th century AD the well-known Volga trade route was formed, connecting Scandinavia with Arab countries. Large trading centers were formed on the banks of the great river: the Khazar Itil and Bulgar, the Russians of Murom, Novgorod, Suzdal. In the 16-18 centuries on the map of the Volga region there were such large cities as Saratov, Samara, Volgograd. Here, in the Volga steppes, the insurgent Cossacks and peasants hid. While giving a brief description of the Volga, it should be noted that it has always played an important economic function - connecting ports within the country and being a highway for communication between different states. In the middle of the 20th century, after the formation of the Volga-Don canal, the political function of the river also increased - an outlet to the Azov and Black Seas, hence to the World Ocean.

Nature of the Volga Basin

The Volga River is rich in natural resources. A brief description of the main plant and animal species is given below. In the water there are four types of plants: algae, water submerged, water with floating leaves, amphibians. In coastal areas, there is a wide variety of herbs (wormwood, sedge, mint, althaea, spurge), since the Volga delta is covered by vast meadows. In the abundance of blackberries and reeds. For hundreds of kilometers along the Volga there are forest belts with birches, ash trees, willows and poplars. This is a brief description of the Volga River, its flora.

The fauna of the river is also diverse. About 50 species of fish live in the water, including sturgeon, beluga, and stellate sturgeon. The coastal expanses are densely populated by birds and animals. A special nature in the Volga Delta, where the unique Astrakhan Reserve is located. It inhabits a lot of insects, birds, mammals and grows a wide variety of plants. Some representatives of the fauna that exist in the reserve are listed in the Red Book: mute swan, pelican, white-tailed eagle, seal.

Large cities of the Volga region

The Volga region has a favorable position both from a geographical and economic point of view. Nearby are the developed areas of the Urals, Central Russia and Kazakhstan. Supplies the settlements with water, energy, is the main river Volga. A brief description of the brightest cities is given below. On the banks of the Volga there are many large and small cities, with their unique sights and amazing history. The largest are Kazan, Samara, Volgograd.

Kazan is the most beautiful and ancient city included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the side of the Kazanka River - the left tributary of the Volga - the complex of the Kazan Kremlin is visible: the Annunciation Cathedral of the 16th century, the Kul Sharif mosque , the falling Syuyumbike tower. The Kremlin is the main attraction of the city.

Samara is also a city located at the meeting place of three rivers - Samara, Soka and Volga. The main attractions are the bell tower of the Iberian monastery, the Samarskaya Embankment, the historic center of the city.

Hero-city Volgograd is one of the most beautiful settlements of Russia. Of the many cultural and historical attractions of the city it is necessary to note the Mamayev Kurgan, located on the banks of the Volga, the Kazan Cathedral, the central Embankment.

On the banks of the Volga there are also smaller, original towns and villages with their historical heritage and cultural monuments.