On the expanses of the European territory of Russia flowsA 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 river moves to the southeast, as it approachesbecoming more fuller to the mouth. The direction of the flow of the Volga in each specific area is determined by the peculiarities of the terrain. However, the bed of the river is not particularly sinuous. The most abrupt 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.
As you know, everything powerful, valuable and great atfirstly, or at birth, it 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 that 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 wideapproximately one meter and a depth of thirty centimeters. 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" dimensions, having already overcome the Small and Large Verkhitas. The brook extends to 1.5 km and deepens to an average of 5 m.
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 LowerNovgorod. 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.
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. Here is created a reserve, which protects the unique nature of this region.
Perhaps everyone who lives in our country knows thatwhich sea flows into the Volga. However, not everyone knows that the Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. It is called the sea because of the huge area and oceanic type of the earth's crust lining the bottom. At the same time, the Caspian has no stocks. Sea-lake does not connect with the ocean.
The Volga is the largest river flowing into the Caspian. She carries with her a huge amount of fresh water. As a result, the lowest salinity level is observed in the river delta region - only 0.05%.
One of the features of the Caspian Sea ischanging water levels. Constant observations of him are conducted since 1832. Studies have shown that the highest value was reached in 1882 (25.2 m below sea level). The smallest indicator value was measured in 1977 (29 m below sea level). The level of the Caspian Sea rose until 1995, and then began to decline again. Since 2001, 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, needsprotection from pollution and overuse 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 manycities of our country. The direction of the flow of the Volga, 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.
