Volga river. Description, history, origin of the name, length, photo The Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea, where the source of the Volga. The source of the Volga River: where is it located and how to get there Where are the source and mouth of the Volga
For ten years now, at the initiative of UNESCO, on May 20, Russia has been celebrating the Day of the Volga, one of the largest rivers on the planet. Its basin occupies a third of the European part of the country, passing through the territories of 15 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
/ The great river originates from a small underground spring that flows near the village of Volgoverkhovye in the Tver region, then passes through a system of lakes united in the Upper Volga reservoir. The first large settlement on the Volga is the city of Rzhev. It is located only 200 kilometers from its source. Behind it begins the navigable zone of the river.
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The great river originates from a small underground spring that flows near the village of Volgoverkhovye in the Tver region, then passes through a system of lakes united in the Upper Volga reservoir. The first large settlement on the Volga is the city of Rzhev. It is located only 200 kilometers from its source. Behind it begins the navigable zone of the river.
/ The next major pier on the Volga is the city of Staritsa, founded in 1297 by Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver. The main attraction of these places is the Holy Assumption Monastery, founded, according to legend, at the beginning of the 12th century by two monks of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
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The next major pier on the Volga is the city of Staritsa, founded in 1297 by Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver. The main attraction of these places is the Holy Assumption Monastery, founded, according to legend, at the beginning of the 12th century by two monks of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
© Depositphotos / BestPhotoStudioThe former capital of the Tver Principality is the first major city on the Volga. Tver was badly damaged during the German occupation, but still, many buildings of the 17th-19th centuries have been preserved in the city. Do not miss the opportunity to stroll along the embankments of Afanasy Nikitin and Stepan Razin, as well as look at the monument to Mikhail Krug.
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The former capital of the Tver Principality is the first major city on the Volga. Tver was badly damaged during the German occupation, but still, many buildings of the 17th-19th centuries have been preserved in the city. Do not miss the opportunity to stroll along the embankments of Afanasy Nikitin and Stepan Razin, as well as look at the monument to Mikhail Krug.
© Depositphotos / OlgaDrozdDownstream of the Volga is the main source of uninterrupted water supply to Moscow - the Ivankovskoye reservoir with a dam and a hydroelectric power station built near the science city of Dubna - Russia's largest center for research in the field of nuclear physics. This city is the only settlement in the Moscow region located on the Volga.
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Downstream of the Volga is the main source of uninterrupted water supply to Moscow - the Ivankovskoye reservoir with a dam and a hydroelectric power station built near the science city of Dubna - Russia's largest center for research in the field of nuclear physics. This city is the only settlement in the Moscow region located on the Volga.
/ The next stop while traveling along the Volga is cozy Kimry, a small town, but with almost five hundred years of history. Back in the time of Peter I, the village located here was the center of the shoe industry of the Russian Empire. Every year the city hosts one of the largest festivals of historical reconstruction "Epic Coast", dedicated to the traditions of the ancient Russian state and the formation of the Volga trade route.
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The next stop while traveling along the Volga is cozy Kimry, a small town, but with almost five hundred years of history. Back in the time of Peter I, the village located here was the center of the shoe industry of the Russian Empire. Every year the city hosts one of the largest festivals of historical reconstruction "Epic Coast", dedicated to the traditions of the ancient Russian state and the formation of the Volga trade route.
/ Even further downstream is the White Town. The first mention of a settlement on this site dates back to 1364. The main attractions of the "town" are the "Belgorod shipyard", where they build and repair the river fleet, and stone church Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God, built in 1825.
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Even further downstream is the White Town. The first mention of a settlement on this site dates back to 1364. The main attractions of the "town" are the Belgorod Shipyard, where the river fleet is built and repaired, and the stone Church of the Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God, built in 1825.
/ Kalyazin is located on the right bank of the Volga. A significant part of the city, including all its main architectural monuments, was flooded after the commissioning of the Uglich hydroelectric power station. The old Nikolsky Cathedral was also on the way of the new reservoir. They decided to dismantle the temple, and the bell tower was left as a lighthouse. Now it is the main symbol of Kalyazin. In 2016, new bells were installed on it, the ringing of which accompanies every worship service.
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Kalyazin is located on the right bank of the Volga. A significant part of the city, including all its main architectural monuments, was flooded after the commissioning of the Uglich hydroelectric power station. The old Nikolsky Cathedral was also on the way of the new reservoir. They decided to dismantle the temple, and the bell tower was left as a lighthouse. Now it is the main symbol of Kalyazin. In 2016, new bells were installed on it, the ringing of which accompanies every worship service.
© Depositphotos / AfonskayaThe next stop on the journey along the Volga is ancient Uglich, which is included in the " Golden ring"Russia. The first mention of the city dates back to 1148. The most famous event in the history of Uglich took place on May 15, 1591, when the eight-year-old son of Ivan the Terrible was killed here. The Church of Demetrius on Blood now stands on this site. Many ancient monasteries have survived in the city, as well as residential buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries.
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The next stop on the journey along the Volga is ancient Uglich, which is part of the "Golden Ring" of Russia. The first mention of the city dates back to 1148. The most famous event in the history of Uglich took place on May 15, 1591, when the eight-year-old son of Ivan the Terrible was killed here. At this place now stands the Church of Demetrius on the Blood. The city has preserved many ancient monasteries, as well as residential buildings of the 18th-19th centuries.
/ Myshkin is located on the high bank of the Volga in the area of the Rybinsk reservoir. Several temples, estates and public places of the 19th century have been preserved in the city. Tourists coming to the city, be sure to visit the local folk museums. One of them is dedicated to the main symbol of the city - the mouse, and the other - to the "vodka king" of Imperial Russia, Pyotr Smirnov.
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Myshkin is located on the high bank of the Volga in the area of the Rybinsk reservoir. Several temples, estates and public places of the 19th century have been preserved in the city. Tourists coming to the city, be sure to visit the local folk museums. One of them is dedicated to the main symbol of the city - the mouse, and the other - to the "vodka king" of Imperial Russia, Pyotr Smirnov.
/ Rybinsk is located at the confluence of the three rivers Volga, Sheksna and Cheremukha. In the city you can see the buildings of the late 18th - early 20th century, including two buildings of the grain exchange: before the revolution, Rybinsk was the largest grain trading center in Russia. In 2007, after the restoration, the Transfiguration Cathedral was opened, which was popularly called the "Beauty of the Volga region". In addition, a Stone Age site was found in the historic center of the city.
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Rybinsk is located at the confluence of the three rivers Volga, Sheksna and Cheremukha. In the city you can see the buildings of the late 18th - early 20th century, including two buildings of the grain exchange: before the revolution, Rybinsk was the largest grain trading center in Russia. In 2007, after the restoration, the Transfiguration Cathedral was opened, which was popularly called the "Beauty of the Volga region". In addition, a Stone Age site was found in the historic center of the city.
/ Downstream is one of the oldest Russian cities, Yaroslavl. He is over a thousand years old. Located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, the historic center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 140 architectural monuments, which are under state protection, have been preserved here. Yaroslavl claims to be the capital of the "Golden Ring" of Russia.
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Downstream is one of the oldest Russian cities, Yaroslavl. He is over a thousand years old. Located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, the historic center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 140 architectural monuments, which are under state protection, have been preserved here. Yaroslavl claims to be the capital of the "Golden Ring" of Russia.
© Depositphotos / KrasnevskyThe next iconic city on the Volga from the Golden Ring list is Kostroma. In the former capital of the county principality, two monuments of pre-Petrine Russia have been preserved: the complexes of the Ipatiev and Epiphany-Anastasia monasteries. There are many buildings of the late 18th-19th centuries in the city center, including shopping malls, a fire tower, the buildings of the Drama Theater and the Assembly of Nobility.
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The next iconic city on the Volga from the Golden Ring list is Kostroma. In the former capital of the county principality, two monuments of pre-Petrine Russia have been preserved: the complexes of the Ipatiev and Epiphany-Anastasia monasteries. There are many buildings of the late 18th-19th centuries in the city center, including shopping malls, a fire tower, the buildings of the Drama Theater and the Assembly of Nobility.
© Depositphotos / yulenochekkThe city-"muse" of many Russian artists Ples is located on the right-bank hills of the Volga. This is one of the main tourist centers of the Ivanovo region. The first pre-Mongolian fortress appeared here in the 12th century. The fortifications were destroyed many times, restored and rebuilt. Scientists managed to recreate the base of one of the towers, and the ancient settlement on Cathedral Hill, where the fortress stood, is now an archeological monument. There are several temples of the late 17th and early 19th centuries in the city.
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The city-"muse" of many Russian artists Ples is located on the right-bank hills of the Volga. This is one of the main tourist centers of the Ivanovo region. The first pre-Mongolian fortress appeared here in the 12th century. The fortifications were destroyed many times, restored and rebuilt. Scientists managed to recreate the base of one of the towers, and the ancient settlement on Cathedral Hill, where the fortress stood, is now an archeological monument. There are several temples of the late 17th and early 19th centuries in the city.
/ Downstream of the Volga is Kineshma - another city on the list of "historical settlements" in Russia. Several ancient temples and noble buildings of the 19th century have been preserved here. Once in the city, be sure to walk along Volzhsky Boulevard, look into the local art and history museum, and don't miss the opportunity to look at the largest felt boot in Russia.
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Downstream of the Volga is Kineshma - another city on the list of "historical settlements" in Russia. Several ancient temples and noble buildings of the 19th century have been preserved here. Once in the city, be sure to walk along Volzhsky Boulevard, look into the local art and history museum, and don't miss the opportunity to look at the largest felt boot in Russia.
/ In the place where the Volga merges with the Oka, travelers are met by Nizhny Novgorod. The historical center of the capital of the Volga region is, of course, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, and the most interesting tourist streets are Rozhdestvenskaya and Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. In the city you can walk along the longest staircase in Russia - Chkalovskaya. It consists of 560 steps.
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In the place where the Volga merges with the Oka, travelers are met by Nizhny Novgorod. The historical center of the capital of the Volga region is, of course, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, and the most interesting tourist streets are Rozhdestvenskaya and Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. In the city you can walk along the longest staircase in Russia - Chkalovskaya. It consists of 560 steps.
© Depositphotos / alexnikitIn the middle reaches, below the confluence of the Oka, the Volga becomes even more full-flowing. Cheboksary is located here. Many sights of the city are associated with the name of Vasily Chapaev, a native of these places. In addition, more than 80% of all Russian hops grow in Chuvashia, so do not miss the opportunity to visit the beer museum and taste local varieties of foamy drink.
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In the middle reaches, below the confluence of the Oka, the Volga becomes even more full-flowing. Cheboksary is located here. Many sights of the city are associated with the name of Vasily Chapaev, a native of these places. In addition, more than 80% of all Russian hops grow in Chuvashia, so do not miss the opportunity to visit the beer museum and taste local varieties of foamy drink.
© Depositphotos / MaykovNikitaThe largest city on the Volga is Kazan. The capital of Tatarstan is called the "cauldron of peoples". Here Europe meets Asia, and the cultures of representatives of more than 100 nationalities intertwine in an amazing way. The heart of the city - the Kazan Kremlin - is included in the list of objects cultural heritage UNESCO.
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The largest city on the Volga is Kazan. The capital of Tatarstan is called the "cauldron of peoples". Here Europe meets Asia, and the cultures of representatives of more than 100 nationalities intertwine in an amazing way. The heart of the city - the Kazan Kremlin - is included in the list of UNESCO cultural heritage sites.
© Depositphotos / IrinaDanceUlyanovsk is located downstream between the channels of the Volga and the Sviyaga. The first fortress, designed to protect the borders of the Russian kingdom from the raid of nomadic tribes, appeared here as early as 1648. After 330 years, Simbirsk became the center of the province. Unfortunately, there are few old buildings left in the city, and the main sights are associated with the name of the leader of the world proletariat, who was born here.
Volga river the largest and deepest river in Europe. The ancient name of Ra (lat. rha) the less old name of Vloga is Itil, the river received in the Middle Ages. It is the largest river that does not flow into the sea. 2/3 of Russia's population lives in the Volga basin. Its source is located on the Valdai Upland at an altitude of 256 m above sea level. And at the mouth, on the northern coast of the Caspian Sea, in its delta, there are the largest lotus fields in the world, covering hundreds of hectares.
Here is what Alexander Dumas wrote about the Volga: “Each country has its own national river. Russia has the Volga - the largest river in Europe, the queen of our rivers - and I hastened to bow to Her Majesty the Volga River!
River length: 3,530 kilometers.
Watershed area: 1,360 thousand sq. km.
highest point: Mount Bezymyannaya, 381.2 m (Zhiguli Mountains).
Channel width: up to 2500 m.
Slope and fall: 256 m and 0.07 m/km (or ppm), respectively.
Average current speed: less than 1 m/s.
River depth: the average depth is 8 - 11 meters, in some areas 15 - 18 meters.
delta area: 19,000 sq. km.
Average annual flow:>38 km3
Where does it run: The Volga originates in one of the most elevated parts of the Valdai plateau in the Tver region. It flows from a small spring in the middle of swampy lakes, not far from the village of Volgoverkhovye. The source coordinates are 57°15' north latitude and 2°10' east longitude. The height of the source above sea level is 228 meters. The Volga flows through the entire central lowland of European Russia. The river bed is meandering, but the general direction of flow is east. At Kazan, approaching almost the very foothills of the Urals, the river turns sharply to the south. The Volga becomes a truly mighty river only after the Kama flows into it. At Samara, the Volga breaks through a whole chain of hills and forms the so-called Samara bow. Not far from Volgograd, the Volga approaches another mighty river - the Don. Here the river again makes a turn and flows in a southeasterly direction until it flows into the Caspian Sea. At the mouth of the Volga forms a vast delta and is divided into many branches.
River mode, food: Most of the water comes from groundwater, and to a lesser extent, food comes from precipitation.
Freezing: The Volga is covered with ice in late October - early November and remains under it until the end of April - mid-March.
Tributaries: About 200 tributaries flow into the Volga. The largest of which are Kama and Oka, as well as smaller streams such as: Unzha, Kerzhenets, Sura, Tvertsa, Medveditsa and others.
It has not yet been decided whether it is possible to consider that the Kama flows into the Volga. Since, according to the rules of hydrography, it turns out that everything is exactly the opposite, and it is the Volga that should flow into the Kama. Since the Kama is older by origin, it has a larger basin and tributaries too.
The direction of flow in most of the river is from north to south. Between the tributaries of the Oka and Kama, the Volga has a predominantly latitudinal flow.
For centuries, the Volga has served people as a source of clean water, fish, energy, and a transport artery. But today it is in danger, human activity pollutes it and threatens with a catastrophe.
Profitable geographical position rivers and human activity in the construction of canals turned the Volga into the largest transport artery. In addition to the Caspian Sea, it is connected to 4 more seas: the Baltic, White, Black and Azov. Its waters irrigate fields, and its hydroelectric power plants provide electricity to entire cities and major enterprises. However, intensive economic use has led to the pollution of the Volga with industrial and agricultural waste. Huge areas were flooded during the construction of dams.
Ecologists say that the ecological situation is critical and the river's ability to self-purify has been exhausted. Blue-green algae capture more and more territories every year, fish mutations are observed. The Volga is called one of the dirtiest rivers in the world. Ecologists may like to dramatize, but if it's too late, it will be much worse. In any case, there are problems. Therefore, the protection of the river is very important now.
The Volga is located in the European part of Russia and occupies the first position among the longest Russian rivers and the 16th position among the longest rivers of our planet. The big river takes its headwaters on the Valdai Elevation and flows into the Caspian Sea. It feeds on snow, ground directions and storm flows.
The Volga is characterized by a calm slow current. The banks of the river serve as a wonderful place to relax, and more than 70 species of fish live in the water. Many of these fish species are commercial.
Length of the Volga River
The length of the largest river is 3530 km, the basin area is 1,360,000 km², and before the construction of reservoirs on it, the length was more than 3600 km. The source of the river is the Voldai Upland, and the mouth is the Caspian Sea. This is the largest river in the world that flows into a closed reservoir, which is the largest closed lake ( Caspian Sea), the annual flow is 254 km³.
The water artery of Russia passes through many regions of the country. Tver, Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan regions, as well as the republics of Chuvashia, Mari El, Tatarstan, are located on the banks of the water element. The upper course flows from the western part to the east, and the lower course from the northern part to the south. Ends in the Caspian Sea.
Source of the Volga River
(The source of the Volga on the Volgoverkhovye)
The powerful water element takes its origins from a small stream of groundwater, namely in the village of Volgoverkhovye. The village is located at the height of a mountain hill, more than 200 meters above sea level.
Many tourists are attracted by a small chapel, which is built on the site where the river originates. Travelers love to share their impressions and tell that they stepped over such a mighty river.
(Here is such a small but fast stream becomes a wide river with a great history)
Gradually, a small stream gains its strength due to more than 100,000 tributaries, consisting of large and small rivers. Overcoming kilometers, the Volga transforms into a huge river.
Mouth of the Volga River
(The mouth of the Volga in the Astrakhan region is divided by many branches)
In the city of Astrakhan, the mouth of the Volga is formed, which is divided by many branches, among which the largest are Bakhtemir, Bolda, Buzan. Southern city on 11 islands of the upper river bank.
A unique reserve was built at the confluence of the Volga. Rare species of flora and fauna are under state protection. The Astrakhan Nature Reserve attracts many travelers and impresses its guests with picturesque places.
Tributaries of the Volga River
(The magnificent confluence of the Oka with the Volga)
The Volga can be conditionally divided into three sections. The upper section originates at the source of the Volga and stretches to the end of the Oka. The middle part starts from the mouth of the Oka and ends at the mouth of the Kama. The lower section starts from the mouth of the Kama and ends at the mouth of the Volga. The upper course has large streams, such as Darkness, Unzha and Mologa. The middle course includes Sura, Vetluga and Sviyaga. The lower course consists of Samara, Yeruslan and Sok. The total number of tributaries is more than 500, as well as multiple channels and small rivers.
(The confluence of the Kama River into the Volga forms the magnificent Kama mouth, Mount Lobach)
There is an opinion among some scientists that the Kama River was the main river, and the Volga served as its tributary. Many studies show that the life of the Kama exceeds the Volga by several million years. In 1983, the Cheboksary reservoir was launched, and the Volga turned into many flowing lakes. And the Kama continues to feed on the tributaries of small rivers.
Cities of Russia on the Volga River
(Volga along the city of Yaroslavl)
On the banks of the Volga there are some powerful cities of Russia: Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Samara and Volgograd. Administrative centers are economic, cultural, sports, industrial centers for the Russian Federation.
Also no less important big cities on the river: Astrakhan, Saratov, Kharabali, Kineshma and many others. Along the way of the river there are many settlements. Railway and automobile routes have been created, so not a single tourist has problems with the question of how to get to the mighty Volga. More than 1,400 marinas and industrial ports are located on its banks.
Citizens and rural population use the Volga for a variety of purposes. More than 40% of industrial production and more than 50% of agricultural production of the Russian Federation are concentrated in its waters and shores. The main function of the river is its economic role. The river transports industrial materials, foodstuffs and other necessary goods that improve people's livelihoods.
The Volga is also the main source of water supply for the urban and rural population. It also serves as a favorite place for outdoor activities, tourism and fishing due to fairly clear water and colorful nature that surrounds its shores.
The Volga River in folk culture
The favorite symbol of Russia is the mighty mother - the Volga River. She inspired and inspires hundreds of poets, singers and artists to create real masterpieces. It was about this river that songs and poems were composed for centuries, which completely glorified and continue to glorify it.
The Volga is also vividly depicted in the paintings of world artists. The Volozhskaya theme is regularly interpreted in a rich creative range and genre diversity. Hundreds of works by many nameless creators have survived to this day, depicting a variety of fragments of the great Volga River.
The first mention of the Volga River dates back to ancient times, when it was called as "Ra". In later times, already in Arabic sources, the river was called Atel (Ethel, Itil), which means “great river” or “river of rivers”.
The current name "Volga" has several versions of its origin. The version about the Baltic roots of the name seems to be the most probable. According to the Latvian valka, which means "overgrown river", the Volga got its name. This is how the river looks in its upper reaches, where the Balts lived in antiquity.
The source of the Volga River is the place where the Volga River begins. Located in the Ostashkovsky district of the Tver region.
Being at the source, you can easily step over from one bank of the great Volga to another.
The largest European river Volga begins at the southwestern outskirts of the village of Volgoverkhovye, at an altitude of 228 meters above sea level.
Above the source of the Volga there is a chapel.
Near the source of the Volga River are the churches of the Olginsky Convent.
Also here is the first bridge. The length of this "crossing" is three meters.
The first major settlement from the source of the Volga is Rzhev. Of the settlements located between it and the beginning of the river, two villages can be noted - Peno and Selizharovo.
Peno is an urban-type settlement (since 1930), the administrative center of the Penovsky district of the Tver region of Russia.
It is located on the Volga River, its tributary the Zhukopa River and Lake Peno.
It arose in 1906 as a station settlement that grew up next to the village of the same name.
During the Great Patriotic War, Nazi troops occupied the village for several months. Partisan detachments operated in the vicinity of the village. On November 23, 1941, in the village, after torture, the Nazis shot one of the organizers of the partisan movement, Komsomol member Liza Chaikina, who in 1942 was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
A stele at the site of her execution.
House-Museum of Lisa Chaikina,
Volga near Selizharovo.
The village of Selizharovo is the administrative center of the Selizharovsky district. It is located on the Volga at the mouth of the Selizharovka and Pesochnya rivers. Here the railroad Likhoslavl - Soblago and the highway Rzhev - Ostashkov intersect.
This settlement originated in ancient times on the trade route from Novgorod to the Caspian Sea. Presumably, it arose at the Selizharov Monastery, built in 1504. At first it was a monastic settlement, and since 1862 the settlement was called Selizharovsky Posad. Trade ships passed through it. The population was engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding, various crafts.
Resurrection Church
On the left side of the Volga, at the end of Tikhomirov Street in the village of Selizharovo, there is a church built in stone in 1763 on the site of two wooden ..
Trinity Selizharovsky Monastery
Church of Peter and Paul
Next Rzhev.
Volga and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Okovetskaya in Rzhev
Volga near Rzhev
Rzhev is an old city. For the first time in written sources (Novgorod Charter) it is mentioned from 1019, there is also a later date - 1216.
There is no unequivocal opinion among historians yet. Later it was part of the Toropetsk principality, from 1225 it became the center of the specific Rzhev principality. At the beginning of the XIV century, Rzhev entered the Moscow principality. Later it was included in the Novgorod, and then the Tver province.
Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God Okovetskaya
Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia
Park named after V.V. Gratsinsky
Monument at the grave of V.V. Gratsinsky
27-year-old military commissar V. V. Gratsinsky, commander of a detachment of 1000 bayonets, died in battle with the White Czechs on September 2, 1918, near the village of Morkvashi near Kazan. His body was taken by soldiers to Rzhev, where on September 11, 1918, he was buried with military honors in the Nikolsky Garden (now the Gratsinsky Park).
Monument to Lenin on Sovetskaya Square
Stele "Rzhev - the city of military glory"
In Rzhev, a lot reminds of the war.
Bridge and obelisk in honor of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War
Obelisk to the heroes of WWII
Bas-relief on the pedestal of the obelisk to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War
Alley of Heroes of the Soviet Union - participants of the Rzhev battle
Rzhev was seriously damaged during the Great Patriotic War. In the famous Battle of Rzhev, which lasted from January 1942 to March 1943 and included four offensive operations, the irretrievable losses of the Soviet troops amounted, according to various estimates, to more than 400,000 people.
Memorial complex to fallen soldiers-internationalists and participants in other local conflicts
Volga - a river flowing in the European part of Russia on the territory of 11 regions and 4 republics. Refers to the pool.
In the upper reaches, the Volga River flows from the northwest to the southeast, further from the city of Kazan, the direction of the river changes to the south. Near Volgograd, the riverbed turns to the southwest.
The Volga River begins on the Valdai Hills from a spring in the village of Volgoverkhovye, Ostashkovsky District, Tver Region. The Volga Delta begins near the city of Volgograd, Vogograd Region. And 60 km from the city of Astrakhan, Astrakhan Region, the Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea.
The Volga River is one of the largest rivers on Earth and the largest in Europe. It is in 16th place in length among the rivers of the world and in 4th place. The Volga is also the world's largest river flowing into an inland water body.
The name of the river "Volga" comes from the Old Slavonic word - vologa, moisture.
Settlements.
The Volga River is the central water artery of Russia. The river is located in the European part of the country.
The Volga River flows through the territory of many constituent entities of the Russian Federation: in the Tver region, in the Moscow region, in the Yaroslavl region, in the Kostroma region, in the Ivanovo region, in Nizhny Novgorod region, in the Republic of Chuvashia, in the Republic of Mari El, in the Republic of Tatarstan, in the Ulyanovsk Region, in the Samara Region, in the Saratov Region, in the Volgograd Region, in the Astrakhan Region, in the Republic of Kalmykia.
On the Volga River, from source to mouth, there are four millionaire cities:
— the city of Nizhny Novgorod — is the administrative center of the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia and the largest city of the Volga Federal District. It is located in the middle of the East European Plain at the confluence of the Oka River with the Volga River. Oka divides Nizhny Novgorod into 2 parts: the upper part on the Dyatlovy Gory; lower part on the left bank of the Oka. Until 1990, the city was named Gorky in honor of the writer M. Gorky.
- the city of Kazan - the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a major port on the left bank of the Volga River. It is the largest scientific, educational, economically developed, cultural and sports center in Russia. The Kazan Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- the city of Samara - a city located in the middle Volga region of Russia. It is the administrative center of the Samara region, forming the municipality "city district of Samara". It is the sixth most populous city in Russia with a population of 1.17 million people as of 2012. Samara is a major transport, economic, scientific and educational center. The main industries are: oil refining, mechanical engineering and food industry.
— the city of Volgograd — a city located in the southeast of the European part of Russia, is the administrative center of the Volgograd region. It is located on the western bank of the Volga River in the lower reaches. Together with the cities of Volzhsky and Krasnoslobodsk located on the eastern coast, it is part of the Volgograd agglomeration. The population of the city is 1,018,739 people. Volgograd from 1589 to 1925 was called Tsaritsyn, and from 1925 to 1961 - Stalingrad.
The largest cities on the Volga: Rzhev, Tver, Dubna, Kimry, Kalyazin, Uglich, Myshkin, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Kineshma, Yuryevets, Kozmodemyansk, Cheboksary, Zvenigovo, Volzhsk, Tetyushi, Ulyanovsk, Novoulyanovsk, Sengiley, Togliatti, Zhigulevsk, Syzran, Khvalynsk, Balakovo, Volsk, Marx, Saratov, Engelsk, Kamyshin, Nikolaevsk, Akhtubinsk, Kharabali, Narimanov, Astrakhan, Kamyzyak.
The rest of the settlements located on the banks of the Volga River from its source to the mouth can be viewed
Routes (access roads).
Due to the fact that the banks of the Volga River are dotted with many settlements, there are many railway and road access roads to the river, so travelers and tourists usually do not have a question about how to get to the river.
The Volga River is connected to by the Baltic Sea the Volga-Baltic waterway, as well as the Vyshnevolotsk and Tikhvin systems. The Volga River is connected to the White Sea through the White Sea-Baltic Canal and through the Severodvinsk system. with black and Seas of Azov The Volga River is connected through the Volga-Don Canal.
There are also inland waterways along the Volga River: from the city of Rzhev to the Kolkhoznik pier (589 km); from the Kolkhoznik pier to the village of Krasnye Barrikada (2604 km), as well as a 40-km section in the river delta.
There are 1450 marinas and ports on the river. The largest of them from the source of the Volga to its mouth are in Selizharovo, in Rzhev, in Zubtsovo, in Staritsa, the Tver river port, in Konakovo, in Dubna, in Kimry, in Kalyazin, in Uglich, in Myshkin, in Rybinsk, in Tutaev , in Yaroslavl, in Kostroma, in the city of Ples, in Kineshma, in Chkalovsk, in the city of Gorodets, in Balakhin, in Nizhny Novgorod, in Kozmodemyansk, in Cheboksary, in Novocheboksarsk, in Zvenigovo, Volzhsk, the Kazan river port, the port of Bolgar, the port in Tetyushi, Ulyanovsk river port, in Novoulyanovsk, in Sengilei, in Togliatti, Samara river port, in Syzran, in Khvalynsk, in Balakovo, in Volsk, in Saratov, in Kamyshin, in Volgograd, in Narimanov, Astrakhan river port.
Automobile access roads to the Volga River can be viewed
Bridges built across the Volga River can be seen
Major tributaries and reservoirs.
The river system of the Volga basin includes 151 thousand. Watercourses are streams, rivers and temporary watercourses with a total length of 574,000 km. The Volga receives about 200 tributaries. There are more left tributaries and they are more abundant than the right ones. There are no significant tributaries after the city of Kamyshin (Volgograd region).
The largest tributaries of the Volga River are the Kama and Oka rivers.
— river - length 1805 km, basin area 507,000 km²; left tributary.
- - length 1498.6 km, basin area 245,000 km²; right tributary.
In addition to many tributaries, there are several reservoirs on the river:
- Upper Volga reservoir - length 85 km, width 6 km, area 183 km².
- Ivankovskoye reservoir - length about 120 km, width of the reservoir 2-5 km, area 327 km², volume 1.12 km³, maximum depth 19 m, average depth 4 m.
- Uglich reservoir - length 146 km, width 0.4-5 km, area 249 km², volume 1.24 km³, maximum depth 22 m, average depth 5 m.
- Rybinsk Reservoir - length 140 km, width 70 km, area 4580 km², volume 25.4 km³, maximum depth 25-30 m, average depth 5.5 m.
- Gorky reservoir - length 427 km, width 3 km, area 1590 km², volume 8.71 km³, maximum depth 22 m.
- Samara (Kuibyshev) reservoir - length 600 km, width up to 40 km, area 6.5 thousand km², volume 58 km³, maximum depth 41 m, average depth 8 m.
- Cheboksary reservoir - length 341 km, width 16 km, area 2190 km², volume 13.85 km³, maximum depth 35 m, average depth 6 m.
- Volgograd reservoir - length 540 km, width up to 17 km, area 3117 km², volume 31.5 km³, average depth 10.1 m.
For more information about the tributaries of the Volga River, see
Relief and soils.
The Volga River is a typical flat river. The area of the Volga basin occupies about 1/3 of the European part of Russia and extends along the Russian Plain from the Valdai and Central Russian Uplands in the west to the Urals in the east. Due to the very large length of the river, the composition of soils in the Volga basin is very diverse.
Vegetation.
The Upper Volga, from its source to the city of Nizhny Novgorod and the city of Kazan, is located in a forest zone. The middle part of the river to the city of Samara and the city of Saratov is located in the forest-steppe zone. The lower part of the river is located in the steppe zone up to the city of Volgograd, and a little to the south lies in the semi-desert zone.
Large forest areas are located in the upper reaches of the Volga, in the middle part and partly in the Lower Volga region, large areas of the territory are occupied by grain and industrial crops. Horticulture and melon growing are also developed.
hydrological regime.
The Volga is conditionally divided into three parts: the upper part of the Volga - from the source of the Volga River to the place where the Oka flows into it, the middle part of the Volga - from the confluence of the Oka (Nizhny Novgorod) to the confluence of the Kama River (Nizhnekamsk) and the lower part Volga - from the confluence of the Kama River to the mouth of the Volga.
The length of the Volga River from source to mouth is approximately 3530 km (even before the construction of reservoirs it was 3690 km long). The catchment area is 1,361,000 km². Water consumption near the city of Volgograd is 8060 m³/s. The height of the source is 228 meters above sea level. The height at the mouth is 28 meters below sea level. The slope of the river is 0.07 m/km. The total fall is 256 m. The average speed of the water flow in the channel is low - from 2 to 6 km/h. The average depth is 9 m, the depth in summer and in winter low water is about 3 m.
The river is fed by a little rain (10%), a little more groundwater (30%) and mostly snow (60% of annual flow) water. Spring flood in April-June. A low water level is observed in summer and in winter low water. There are autumn floods in the month of October as a result of prolonged rains.
The average annual water flow at the Upper Volga Dam is 29 m³/s, near the city of Tver - 182 m³/s, near the city of Yaroslavl - 1,110 m³/s, near the city of Nizhny Novgorod - 2,970 m³/s, near the city of Samara - 7,720 m³/s s, near the city of Volgograd - 8,060 m³/s. Below the city of Volgograd, the river loses about 2% of its water flow to evaporation.
The water temperature in the Volga River in July reaches 20-25 °C. The river near Astrakhan breaks from ice in mid-March. In the first half of April, the opening occurs on the upper Volga and below the city of Kamyshin, along the rest of the river, the river opens in mid-April. The Volga freezes in the upper and middle parts of the course at the end of November; in the lower part - in early December. The Volga remains free from freezing for about 200 days a year, and near Astrakhan for about 260 days. With the creation of reservoirs on the river, the thermal regime of the Volga changed: on the upper dams, the duration of ice phenomena increased, and on the lower ones it became shorter.
The bottom of the Volga is sandy, silty-sandy and silty, on the rifts the soil is cartilaginous or pebbly.
Ichthyofauna.
According to its diversity of fish, the Volga is considered one of the richest rivers in Russia. 76 species of fish and 47 subspecies live in its waters. Grayling is found in the upper reaches of the Volga. Carp, sterlet, bream, ide, zander, pike, burbot, bleak, perch, catfish, dace, ruff, blue bream, chub, roach, white-eye, podust, silver bream, asp, etc. are constantly found in the Volga. Of the anadromous fish that enter the river from the Caspian Sea: beluga, lamprey, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, white salmon, thorn, Volga and common herring. Of the semi-anadromous fish, the river is inhabited by: bream, carp, pike perch, bersh, catfish, asp, sabrefish, etc. The smallest fish species in the Volga is a granular puhead, its length is only 2.5 cm. In appearance, it resembles a tadpole. And the largest fish of the Volga River is the beluga, its length can reach 4 meters.
Water quality.
The Volga River experiences a colossal anthropogenic load from numerous sources of pollution located along its banks, as well as directly in the mouth part.
Russia's great industrial potential is concentrated in the Volga basin, which is represented by gigantic chemical enterprises, oil refineries, large machine-building associations and thermal power plants. Cargo and passenger ships go along the Volga River and its tributaries. Hydrocarbon raw materials (coal, gas, oil) are being extracted in this territory. Hundreds and thousands of organizations have their own interests in the Volga region. Some of them are river pollutants.
The Volga accounts for more than a third of the country's total wastewater discharge. The operating treatment facilities provide effective water treatment for only 8% of polluted waters. A large amount of pollutants enters the Volga with water from the Oka and Kama rivers, as well as their tributaries. The largest volumes of polluted wastewater fall on such cities as: Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Saratov, Samara, Balakhna, Volgograd, Togliatti, Cherepovets, Ulyanovsk, Ivanovo, Naberezhnye Chelny.
Inorganic and organic pollutants include oil products, heavy metal compounds, pesticides (toxic chemicals), phenols, synthetic detergents, etc. These substances enter the water of the river with waste from industry, agricultural and domestic wastewater. Many of them in the aquatic environment either decompose very slowly or do not decompose at all.
Use, tourism and recreation.
The Volga River is used by people for a wide variety of purposes. First of all, it is of great economic importance as a transport highway. Bread, salt, fish, vegetables, oil, oil products, cement, gravel, coal, metal, etc. are supplied up the Volga; lumber, timber, mineral building materials and industrial materials are floated downstream.
Passenger transportation and excursions on motor ships are also carried out on the river.
The river is a source of water supply for agricultural facilities, as well as factories, factories and other industrial enterprises.
A number of dams and hydroelectric power plants have been built on the river to generate electricity for human needs.
Economic, amateur and sport fishing is carried out on the river. Many people use the Volga for travel and outdoor activities.
Reference Information.
Length: 3530 km.
Basin area: 1,361,000 km².
Basin: Caspian Sea.
Source: Valdai Hills
Location: Volgoverkhovye village, Ostashkovsky district, Tver region, Russia.
Coordinates: 57°15′7.51″ s. sh., 32°28′12.62″ E d.
Mouth: Caspian Sea.
Location: 60 km from the city of Astrakhan, Astrakhan region of Russia.
Coordinates: 45°53′14.98″ s. w., 48°31′1.3″ E d.