The largest tributary of the Volga and one of the most important natural watercourses in the European part of Russia is the Oka. The source of this river is located within the Oryol region, and the mouth is in glorious Nizhny Novgorod. Want to know even more interesting information about this river? Then read our article!
Oka River: source and mouth
Oka crosses the territories of seven regions of Russia. This is the country's most important transport artery, on which a number of large and famous cities are located: Oryol, Kaluga, Ryazan, Kolomna, Nizhny Novgorod and others. Where does the Oka begin?
The source of the river is located within the Central Russian Upland, at an altitude of 275 meters above sea level. The exact geographical coordinates of this point are as follows: 52 ° 21 ′ 45 ″ north latitude and 36 ° 13 ′ 20 ″ east longitude. The source of the Oka River, today, is a natural monument of local importance. Often it is visited by tourists, local historians and travelers.
Where is the source of Oka administratively? The beginning of the river is located in the Oryol region, near the small village of Aleksandrovka (Glazunovsky district). But her long journey ends in Nizhny Novgorod, where she flows into the famous Volga.
How long is the Oka? Almost one and a half thousand kilometers share the source and the mouth of this river. The total catchment area of the Oka is also quite large: 245 thousand square meters. km To better understand where the source of the Oka River and its mouth is located, just look at the map. Points of the beginning and end of the watercourse are marked on it with blue circles.
Nature of the river
The eye, the source of which is a chain of small ponds, flows very smoothly, measuredly in the upper reaches, while changing its direction several times. First, she heads north, then east. After a while, the river turns north again. About half of its river route, the Oka receives the waters of the Moscow River, along with a solid plume of metropolitan pollution.
In the Ryazan region, the river begins to loop noticeably, skirting the low and gentle hills of this area. The most expressive loop of the Oka is near Kasimov. After it, the river finally leveled off and flows strictly north, up to the mouth. The Oka ends its long and difficult journey in Nizhny Novgorod. The place where the river merges with the Volga was called by the locals Strelka.
The banks of the Oka are connected, in total, by the 31st bridge. The most beautiful and expressive of them are in Orel, Kashira and Murom.
Oka flows into the Volga or vice versa?
An interesting question that haunts many geographers and naturalists: who falls into whom? Which of the rivers is more important - the Oka or the Volga? Let's try to answer this question.
It is officially accepted that the Oka flows into the Volga, and not the other way around. But there is one big “but”! According to the canons of hydrological science, the main river is considered to be the watercourse, which is long before the merger. And in our particular case, the Oka to the so-called Nizhny Novgorod Strelka is 185 kilometers longer than the Volga.
Thus, in fairness, it is the Oka that should convey its waters to the Caspian Sea, and not the Volga, as is written in all modern geography textbooks. Why is it customary to think differently?
It's all about historical symbolism. After all, the Volga has long been considered a sacred symbol of the Russian people, a source of its strength and inspiration. Therefore, scientists at one time simply did not raise a hand to call this river just an ordinary tributary of the Oka. That’s the whole explanation!
Fishing and relaxation on the Oka River
On the banks of the river there are quite a lot of nature reserves, tourist centers and campsites, where you can relax and replenish your personal supply of vitality. The Oka Valley is incredibly picturesque: fragrant pine forests and birch groves are often found here, in which it is so pleasant and useful to stroll with young children! In addition, something very native and close to the soul of a true Russian man is felt in this river.
On the stretch of river between the villages of Luzhki and Zibrovo, a unique corner of relict nature has been preserved. Here, botanists counted at least 50 species of typically southern plants. Among them are fescue, feather grass, thin-legged, Schrenk's tulip. A true steppe oasis among pine trees! This place is very popular among lovers of "green" and eco-tourism.
Love Oka and the fishermen. According to their estimates, the best fishing spots on this river are near the village of Skniga. Several sandbanks and riffles are concentrated here. In this section of the river roach, bream, perch, and pike perch are excellently caught. But catching a royal fish - a pike, is the easiest way to get around Serpukhov.
What does the source of the Oka River look like today?
A simple spring on the outskirts of the village of Aleksandrovka is a real tourist pearl of the whole Oryol region. Still would! After all, this is the source of the Oka - the largest tributary of the Volga.
Today it is beautiful, well maintained and very cozy. Near the beginning of the river, a commemorative stele with an information plate and a small chapel are installed. The whole area is decorated with small architectural forms and bizarre wooden sculptures.
Oka began to clean up the source back in the 80s. The official status of a natural monument, this place received only in 1996. A little later, the source was consecrated by Archbishop Paisius.
Today, this landmark is visited by thousands of tourists annually. People come here to taste the holy water or just relax in a beautiful, picturesque place. By tradition, newlyweds also drop in here.
The beginning of the Oka - a tourism object and a place of power
The source of the Oka is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Oryol region. But not only tourists come here. Bioenergy argues that this is a rather powerful and beneficial place of power. Therefore, here you can often meet poets, artists, mediums and various creative natures. It is here that they feed themselves with positive energy.
How to get to the source of the river? From the nearest major city, Orel, you should go along the Lebanese highway. Near the former Zmiev post of the traffic police, you need to turn right (following the sign for Maloarkhangelsk) and get to Glazunovka. At the main intersection of the village (near the gas station), you should again turn off. After a few hundred meters, at the railway crossing, you will see a corresponding pointer to the source of the river. After driving about twenty kilometers, you will find yourself in Aleksandrovka.
Not far from the source of the Oka River there is a parking lot where you can park your car while walking and relaxing. Take your time to leave this amazing place - feel its powerful energy and let it through you.
Finally
Now you know where the source of the Oka River is. It is there that one of the largest rivers in the European part of Russia with a length of almost 1,500 kilometers begins. It originates in the Oryol region from a small fontanel, crosses six more regions of the country and flows into the Volga in the territory of Nizhny Novgorod.