A great river flows across the expanses of the European territory of Russia, which has no equal in this part of the world. The Volga stretched from the Valdai Upland to the Caspian. It flows through forests and steppes, absorbing numerous tributaries. The length of the river, the area of the basin and delta make it the largest in Europe. It is impossible to overestimate its importance in the country's economy both in the past and at the present stage.
The direction of the Volga River
The river moves southeast, becoming closer to the mouth becoming more and more full-flowing. The direction of the Volga flow at each specific site is determined by the terrain features. However, the riverbed is not particularly sinuous. The sharpest turn takes place near Kazan. Here, the direction of the Volga flow changes sharply from east to south. At Samara, it goes around the Zhiguli mountains, passing through several elevations. This is where the southwest direction of the river flows . The Volga moves almost to Volgograd. Not far from the city, she is approaching the Don. At about the same place, the direction of the Volga current changes to the southeast and remains so until it flows into the Caspian Sea.
The humble beginnings of a great river
As you know, everything powerful, valuable and large at first or during its inception looks small, sometimes even nondescript. Where is the beginning of the Volga River? It can be found in the Tver region, near the village of Volgoverkhovye. Here is a swamp and beats several keys. One of them is considered the source of the river. Anyone can drink water from a 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 about one meter wide and up to thirty centimeters deep. If there were no chapel and various designations, a person who wondered “where is the beginning of the Volga River?” Could have missed it. The trickle seems so insignificant in comparison with the mighty water stream. The Volga gains more “decent” dimensions, having already overcome Lakes Small and Big Verkhity. The brook expands to 1.5 km and deepens on average to 5 m.
Zoning
The river is usually divided into three sections. 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 - the Caspian Sea. Upon merging with its two main tributaries, the Volga becomes more and more full-flowing.
The Oka flows into the great river in the region of Nizhny Novgorod. The most significant right tributary makes the Volga wider. Kama is connected to the river halfway 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, it remains unofficial today.
Mouth
What sea does the Volga flow into? To the Caspian. The river delta begins near Volgograd, where Akhtuba is separated from it. The Volga gives rise to approximately 500 branches and ducts. The river delta is considered one of the largest in Russia. Its length is estimated at about 160 km, and the width reaches 40 km in some areas. The last city on the river, Astrakhan, is located in the delta. A reserve has been created here that protects the unique nature of this region.
Huge lake
Perhaps everyone who lives in our country knows what sea the Volga flows into. However, not everyone knows that the Caspian is the largest lake in the world. It is called the sea because of the vast area and oceanic type of the earth's crust lining the bottom. At the same time, the Caspian has no drains. The sea-lake does not connect to 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 salinity level is observed in the area of the river delta - only 0.05%.
One of the features of the Caspian Sea is the change in water level. Constant monitoring of him has been going on 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 has been observed. The reason for such fluctuations, according to scientists, lies in the combination of various factors of climatic, anthropogenic and geological nature.
The Caspian Sea, like the Volga itself, needs protection 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 many cities of our country. The direction of the Volga, its regime and resources are well studied and have been used for various purposes since ancient times. The river is a navigable canal connecting a large number of ports, a source of fresh water, commercial fish and an attractive route for tourists.