The direction of the Volga. From the Tver region to the Caspian Sea along the great river

On the expanses of the European territory of Russia there flows a great river, which is not equal in this part of the world. The Volga stretches from the Valdai Upland to the Caspian Sea. It flows through forests and steppe, absorbing numerous tributaries. The length of the river, the area of the basin and the delta make it the largest in Europe. It is impossible to overestimate its importance in the country's economy either in the past or at the present stage.

The direction of the Volga River

The river moves to the southeast, as it approaches the mouth becoming more and more full of water. The direction of the flow of the Volga in each specific area is determined by the peculiarities of the terrain. However , the river bed does not have a particularly sinuous shape. The sharpest turn takes place next to Kazan. Here the direction of the current of the Volga varies sharply from the east to the south. In Samara, she skirted the Zhiguli Mountains, passing through several hills. Here there is a south-west direction of the river. The Volga is moving almost to Volgograd. Near the city, she approaches Don. At about the same place, the direction of the Volga's current changes to the southeast and remains so until it enters the Caspian Sea.

Modest Beginning of the Great River

As you know, everything powerful, valuable and great at first or during the beginning looks small, sometimes even unattractive. Where is the beginning of the Volga River? It can be found in the Tver region, near the village of Volgoverkhovye. Here is the swamp and beats several keys. One of them is considered the source of the river. Anyone can drink water from the spring, which gives rise to the Volga. There is a small chapel with a window in the floor right above the source.

A little further the river turns into a stream about a meter in width and up to thirty centimeters deep. If there were no chapel and various signs, the man who asked the question "where the beginning of the Volga River?" Could have missed it. So small seems a trickle compared to a mighty water flow. The Volga acquires more "decent" sizes, having already overcome the Lakes of Small and Large Verkhit. The brook extends to 1.5 km and deepens to an average of 5 m.

Zoning

The river is divided into three segments. The Upper Volga stretches from the source to the confluence of the Oka. The middle part of the river ends with the mouth of the Kama, the lower part - the Caspian Sea. When merging with its two main tributaries, the Volga becomes more and more full of water.

Oka flows into the great river in the region of Nizhny Novgorod. The most significant right tributary makes the Volga wider. Kama connects with the river half way from Kazan to Ulyanovsk. This is the largest left tributary. There is a version according to which Kama does not flow into the Volga, but vice versa. However, today it remains unofficial.

The mouth

In what sea does the Volga flow? To the Caspian. The delta of the river begins near Volgograd, where Akhtuba is separated from it. The Volga gives rise to approximately 500 sleeves and ducts. The river delta is considered to be one of the largest in Russia. Its length is estimated at about 160 km, and the width reaches 40 km in some sections. In the delta is the last city on the river - Astrakhan. It also created a reserve, which protects the unique nature of this region.

Great lake

Perhaps all who live in our country know what kind of sea the Volga falls into. However, not everyone knows that the Caspian represents the largest lake in the world. The sea it is called because of the huge area and oceanic type of the earth's crust lining the bottom. At the same time, the Caspian does not have drains. Sea-lake does not connect with the ocean.

The Volga is the largest river flowing into the Caspian. It carries with it a huge amount of fresh water. As a result, the lowest level of salinity in the delta area is only 0.05%.

One of the features of the Caspian Sea is the change in the water level. Constant observation of him since 1832. Studies have shown that the highest value was reached in 1882 (25.2 m below sea level). The smallest indicator was measured in 1977 (29 m below sea level). The level of the Caspian Sea increased until 1995, and then began to decline again. Since 2001, there has been an increase in the indicator. The reason for such fluctuations, according to scientists, lies in the combination of various climatic, anthropogenic and geological factors.

The Caspian Sea, like the Volga itself, needs protection from pollution and excessive use of resources. The activities of cities and large enterprises, as well as uncontrolled fishing lead to the destruction of the flora and fauna of these reservoirs.

The great Russian river connects many cities of our country. The direction of the Volga Current, its regime and resources are well studied and used for various purposes since ancient times. The river is a navigable channel connecting a large number of ports, a source of fresh water, commercial fish and an attractive route for tourists.