Chekhov's classic phrase "The Volga flows into the Caspian Sea" has become a model of a banal statement. In fact, the answer to the question of where the Volga flows is not nearly as obvious as it seems. It lies in such fields of science as hydrography, toponymy, geography, etc.

Great river

The ancient Volga arose on Earth about 23 million years ago. Most likely, the date of birth of the great river is even more ancient - studies show that the Volga had smaller predecessors, not so significant in size.

The Volga is the largest river in the European part of the Eurasian continent. Its length is about 3,530 km. Unlike many other rivers that have a connection with the World Ocean, the Volga flows into a large inland water body that does not have a direct outlet to the open ocean. This unique formation is called the Caspian Sea.

Ancient Volga

During the inception of the Volga, the movement of tectonic plates began, which led to the emergence of the Central Russian Upland and the Valdai Mountains. The tectonic process was accompanied by cutting into the base rocks of the plate of numerous channels of ancient rivers. At that time, the beginning of the Volga River appeared.

And where does the Volga flow in those distant times? Geological data claim that the Ancient Caspian Sea was much wider at that time, moreover, it had an open outlet to the world's oceans. Then, as now, the Caspian received the waves of the ancient Volga and all its tributaries.

At that time, the riverbed was slightly more different than it is today. It arose in the deepest part of a large trench that stretched from present-day Kazan to Volgograd. It was he who became the first channel of the paleo-Volga.

Later, the processes that arose as a result of the onset of the ice age smoothed out the relief features. The area was gradually filled with sedimentary rocks. The Volga continued its development, flowing along an already flat plain. Familiar coastal reliefs appeared in the geography of the Volga at that time. And the area where the Volga flows into has acquired a modern shape.

The mouth and tributaries of the Volga

Quite a lot has been written about where the Volga begins and where it flows. scientific works... In the course of its development, the Volga grew with numerous tributaries and repeatedly changed the location of its delta, but this great river left its source unchanged.

The Valdai Upland is the cradle for many large rivers. Here originate such rivers as the Dnieper, Lovat, Zapadnaya Dvina, Msta and many smaller waterways. The largest waterway in Europe was no exception. The first part of the answer to the question - where does the Volga originate and where it flows - lies here, in these Russian mountains. The Volga carries its waters from the Valdai Upland. The place where the river originates is in the Tver region and is called the Volgino Verkhovye.

But with the place where the Volga flows into the Caspian Sea, there are small problems. The fact is that many researchers disagree with the standard answer to the school problem about where the Volga begins and where it will flow. The well-known source on Valdai is far from the only beginning of the great Volga, it is quite possible that it has much more sources, and some of them are underground.

Volga tributaries

As for the tributaries, the Volga has a lot of them. The largest of them are Mologa, Samara, Ob, Kama, Eruslan and many others. Of all the above, the Kama River is the widest and deepest tributary. It merges with the Volga not far from the shores of the Caspian Sea. So, maybe the Volga flows into the Kama, and not into the sea?

Signs of rivers flowing into

Hydrobiologists use several indicators to determine which river is the main one and which is its tributary. At the confluence of the waters of both rivers, scientists determine their water content, catchment area, structural features of the river system, the length of both rivers from the source to the confluence, indicators of river flow and several others.

In terms of water content, these two rivers are practically equal to each other. The average annual discharge of the Volga is 3750 m 3 / sec, and of the Kama - 3800 m 3 / sec. In terms of catchment area, the Volga is ahead of its rival - 260.9 thousand km 2 against 251.7 thousand km 2. The height of the Volga basin is lower than that of the Kama basin, since the tributaries of the Kama originate in Ural mountains Oh. The Kama Valley is older than the Volga Valley - it was formed in the first half of the Quaternary period, even before the Great Icing. Kama in those days dumped its waters into Vychegda. After the end of the Ice Age, the Upper Volga, which used to flow into the Don, began to flow into the Kama. The Lower Volga and today is a natural continuation of not the Volga, but the Kama valley.

Hydrography of the Middle Ages

Arab medieval geographers called the Volga own name- Itil. They connected the ancient sources of Itil with Kama. And they paid Kama no less attention than her blue rival.

So where is the beginning of the Volga River and where does this waterway flow into? All other things being equal, historical traditions are taken into account along with hydrographic ones. The prevailing ideas and research of toponymy allow us to assert that the Kama is a tributary of the Volga River. Rather, it flows into the Kuibyshev reservoir, located at the confluence of two rival rivers. And the question of where the Volga flows can be answered: into the waters of the Caspian Sea, but it should be remembered that this answer is dictated more by historical tradition than by real hydrographic indicators.

The mighty Russian river Volga, one of the largest rivers in the world, carries its waters from the eastern side of the Ural Mountains to the Caspian Sea through the East European Plain. Its source is located at the village. Volgoverkhovye at an altitude of about 230 m above sea level. Absorbing more than 150 thousand tributaries, it turns into a full-flowing powerful river with a basin area from the Valdai Upland to the Caspian Sea of ​​more than 1350 thousand square meters. m. It is conventionally divided into three sections. The Upper Volga from the source to the mouth of the Oka carries its waters through forests, the Middle Volga from the Oka to the mouth of the Kama flows through the forest-steppe belt. The route of the lower Volga - from the Kama through the steppe and semi-desert to the Caspian Sea. The bottom of the river is mostly muddy or sandy, with pebbles on the rifts.

The flora and fauna of the river is diverse. This is especially pronounced in the Lower Volga, where the unique Arkhangelsk Nature Reserve is located, numbering more than 1,450 species of insects, about 50 species of fish, more than 30 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, more than 920 varieties of plants, most of which are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Here you can meet the white-tailed eagle, pelican, seal. Pike, sturgeon, burbot, catfish, beluga and many other species are found among fish.

Volga on the map of Russia with cities

Volga has a huge economic importance, it is not only the largest, but also in Europe. Since there are more than 50 species of commercial fish in it, fish farming is developed on the river. Shipping was formed, which makes it possible to transport not only passengers, but also industrial and food products. Many hydroelectric power stations, state district power stations, etc. have been built on the Volga, which allows providing electricity not only to the Volga region, but also to most of the Russian Federation. Industry, science, sports are well developed. Tourist cruises are organized. More than 60 cities have been built here, 4 of which have a population of over 1 million people. These are N. Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Volgograd.

Cities on the Volga list adrift

1. Dubna is a unique city due to the only sign "Center of Europe", which indicates the distance to the cities of the world, equally distant from Dubna. In addition, there are many monuments and busts dedicated to nuclear physicists; monument to V. Vysotsky; monuments to military and rocket technology. Of interest are 4 Orthodox churches. The city is famous for its ferry crossing No. 1, a beautiful beach on the Moscow Sea, fishing, water sports. You can ride a yacht. In the center there are numerous shops, cafes, a children's park.
   
   
2. Uglich is a rather old attractive city, in which new museums, monuments, summer cafes, and attractions appear due to tourism. But the attraction is still numerous churches, such as the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, the Church of Tsarevich Dmitry, the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, etc. There are many unique museums in the city: the Museum of Prison Art; Russian vodka; myths and superstitions of the Russian people, etc.
   
   
3. Myshkin is an old small town of the 15th century. The main direction of its development is tourism, so most of the local population is employed in this area. Tourists are interested in the temple, the manor houses of the 19th century, the unique Mouse Museum and 5 more museums. There is a pottery workshop and other folk crafts. Various festivals are constantly held. New hotels and guest houses, several cafes and restaurants welcome the guests of the city.
   
   
4. Rybinsk is beautiful Big city at the northernmost point of the Volga. The bell tower of the Transfiguration Cathedral, built in the 18th century, is of interest here. Next to her is a cross over the grave of the Cathedral Archpriest Rodion Putyatin. A little further - the New and Old grain exchanges (1806-1811), now they house the River Station. In the building of the New Stock Exchange, decorated with tiles, the Rybinsk state was opened. historical, architectural and art museum-reserve.
   
5. Tutaev - an ancient city (1419) is interesting for tourists by visiting the Park of the Soviet period, as here you can admire the requisites of the USSR-ov period, and do skiing, mountaineering, snowboarding; in the summer - rafting on plastic boats, sailing on a yacht. For extreme lovers - in the sports complex "Erzog" rope town "Avatar" or paragliding. Love Russian or Caucasian cuisine - restaurant "Imperium"; for lovers of Japanese cuisine - cafe "Yaponchik". V free time visit the Resurrection Cathedral, the Zatsepin Noble Estate and 2-3 more museums.
   
   
6. Yaroslavl is an ancient big city (founded in 1010) - an important automobile, railway and shipping hub, stands at the confluence of 2 rivers. The machine-building and shipbuilding, car-repairing and light industries are well developed. There are 2,055 retail outlets. A large scientific center - there are many research institutes and design institutes, State. University. Tourism is well developed. Interesting to visit the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the Church of St. John Chrysostom, several more churches, museums.
   
   
7. Kostroma is famous for its history XVIII- XIX century. Here, in addition to the Epiphany Convent and the Church of the Savior, there are also a number of memorable historical sites (Market stalls, old buildings with wooden carvings, etc.). Heavy and light industry is developed, there are many woodworking enterprises; enterprises Food Industry... The city is famous for a number of jewelry factories: KYUZ, Alkor, Topaz and 5 more jewelry enterprises.
   
   
8. Volgorechensk is a city of industry and electronics. Here is the Kostroma State District Power Plant, which runs on natural gas, as well as a number of construction and fishing industries. Tourists are interested in the Temple of St. Tikhon Lukhsky, the sculpture of Prometheus, a visit to the local history museum, and a number of other memorable places.
   
   
9. Plyos is a cute old town, founded. in 1141. Now it is a resort town, there are recreation centers, tourist bases, clinics, sanatoriums, boarding houses. In winter - ski rental; in the summer - excursions along the Volga. There are many historical sites: Trinity Church, St. Barbara Church, etc., a number of museums. It is interesting to look at the "Tree of Love" - ​​2 pines with a grown-together branch.
   
   
10. Navoloki is a pier on the right bank. Main in the 80s of the XIX century. In the form of a village at a textile factory. In 1938. received city status. The main enterprises are the "Privolzhskaya Kommuna" cotton plant; Garment factory. Interesting is the Historical Museum and the Art Gallery.
11. Kineshma is famous for the most beautiful boulevard on the Volga - Volzhsky Boulevard, on which a number of historical monuments of the 18th century are located. There are many churches and other architectural monuments and museums in the city. For recreation - numerous parks, organized tourism, fishing, water sports competitions.
12. Yuryevets is a small, cozy, ecologically clean town, lost in the pine and birch forests of the right bank of the Volga. Nature is rich in mushrooms, berries; For those who like fishing, there is a river with tributaries. Among the enterprises there are "Garment Factory", "Omega", "Krivin AV", TPK "Storm". Many shops, cafes, restaurants. There are a number of museums and other historical sites
    
    
13. Puchezh is a city with a developed light and food industry. The most prominent are the folk craft enterprises "Richelieu", "Naris", "Istoki", which are engaged in Russian embroidery. There are a number of churches in the city: the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the Church of St. George the Victorious, etc. Interesting to visit are the monuments of the Soviet era: Memorial complex to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War; "Embroiderer", etc.
14. Chkalovsk - formerly Vasileva Sloboda. The settlement was so named in honor of Vasily Yuryevich - the son of Prince Dolgoruky - the foundations. His XII century. Renamed in 1937. There are several large enterprises (Chkalovsk shipyard, garment factory, etc.). The Transfiguration Church is located in the suburban area. There are many monuments of museums in the city (MUK "Regional Center of Crafts", a monument to V.P. Chkalov, etc.)
15. Zavolzhye is a cozy town near the Gorky reservoir. The main attraction is the Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power station built in 1955. In addition, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the monument to Yuri Gagarin, the Museum of the history of the city, and several other monuments.
16. Gorodets is an ancient city known for a unique monument of the 12th century. - Gorodets earthen rampart. Subsequently, several Orthodox churches, the Museum of Local Lore, and the Museum of Samovars were built here. Shipbuilding is successfully developing here. But the city became famous for its famous Gorodets gingerbread and woodcarving.
17. Balakhna is famous for its archaeological find - the camp of the hunting and fishing tribes of the Neolithic culture. The tent-roofed Nikolskaya (! 552), Troitskaya (1748) and other ancient churches have been preserved. There is the Balakhna Museum of Local Lore and the Museum of Local Lore (in the Church of the Intercession). Production: Pravdinsk plant of radio relay equipment, a number of factories and enterprises of meat and dairy products
    
    
18. N. Novgorod is a megalopolis with a population of 1,254,595 people. Large industrial Russia, scientific and Cultural Center: more than 50 universities, including 6 universities, 4 academies; exhibition galleries, gyms and stadiums; Nizhny Novgorod Circus, Planetarium, Limpopo Zoo; theaters of Comedy, Opera and Ballet, Drama theater; numerous recreation parks. The ancient Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (built 1508 - 1515) will tell about the history of the city, on the territory of which and next to it there are a number of churches and other historical monuments. At the beginning of the Chkalovskaya staircase there is a boat "Hero" - a participant in the Civil War of 1918-19. In general, there are many churches, temples and other historical monuments throughout the city. There are many cafes and restaurants. The city is often visited by tourists.
19. Bor is a cozy dacha and industrial town. A heavy, woodworking, food industry has been developed: factories "Bortomash", "Borsky pipe plant", forestry enterprise, "Borsky milk plant", etc. In 2012, a cable car was built - the most convenient way of crossing to Nizhny Novgorod.
20. Kstovo is a relatively young (founded 1957) city with a well-developed industry. The main enterprise, LLC Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez, is one of the largest oil refineries in Russia. More than 15 churches have been restored in the city, including the Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, etc. The sports complex "World Sambo Academy", the Puppet Theater have been opened, there are a number of modern monuments.
21. Lyskovo is a small town on the bank of the Cheboksary reservoir. Industry: JSC LETZ, JSC LMFZ; several food and light industry enterprises. Remarkable is the State. Museum of local lore, architecture: Five-domed Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral (1711), Church of the Ascension (1838)
22. Kozmodemyansk - main. in 1583 as a prison, the status of a city since 1609. Production: a number of enterprises in the light and food industries, the main of which is OJSC Kopir. There are several museums: Museum of Local Lore. NV Ignatieva and others. In the center there are many historical houses of wealthy merchants, the "Streletskaya Tower" chapel (1696)
    
    
23. Zvenigovo - settlement in 1860 Since 1974 - the status of the city. Economy: Sud.stroy-repair plant; timber industry, a number of chemical plants. industry; MUSHP "State Farm Zvenigovsky". Attractions: Central Boulevard and a small copy of the Eiffel Tower.
24. Volzhsk - formerly the village of Lopatino - has been known since the 16th century. Since 1940 - the status of the city and the name of Volzhsk. Economy: large combines, factories (CJSC "Ariadna", Russian-Italian. JV "Sovitalprodmash", etc.), State Unitary Enterprise "Volzhskaya Poultry Farm". 4 universities: Volga branches of KSTU named after A.N. Tupolev, KSTU, MSTU, RAP. In the city there are many monuments and busts to A.S. Pushkin, V.I. Lenin, the Monument to the Fallen Warriors. There are many parks and squares (Oak Grove, Victory Park, Ariadna Square, etc.). Every year the city hosts the International Music. festival them. An.Baranova "Mimikabo"
25. Cheboksary - main. in the XIII-XIV centuries. A green city with beautiful squares, monuments, museums, restored churches, wide squares. Large admin., Industrial, cultural and scientific center. More than a dozen groves and alleys. Federal facility Cheb. Botanical Garden, Pine Culture Park 1903, etc. Forest. arrays and groves. More than 20 museums, 5 theaters. The pride of the city is the "Mother Patroness" monument, vys. 46 m. ​​The city has the Vvedensky Cathedral, the Assumption Church. The Cheboksary Aggregate Plant, Tekstilmash and others are operating. Electricity: Chuvashenergo; defense: NPO them. V.I. Chapaeva.
    
    
26. Novocheboksarsk is a young city where Cheboksarskaya HPP, Novocheboksarskaya TPP-3 and several plants and factories operate. The Novocheboksarsk sports complex, the Chemist Palace of Culture, the School of Arts were built. There are two museums - Local History and Art.
27. Mariinsky Posad is a green city with flowering streets and gardens, white-stone churches visible from the "Sovereign Mountain", at the foot of which there are many healing springs. The city center is an architectural monument of the 17th-19th centuries. Province untouched by the 20th century There are many churches here: the Trinity Cathedral, the Church of the Kazan Mother of God, etc. There is a memorial complex of the pilot-cosmonaut A. G. Nikolaev and 5 more museums, 3 galleries, an arboretum. There are a lot of edible mushrooms and berries in the forest. The hunting community is open, commercial fishing is in progress; trade and folk craft are developed (wicker weaving, embroidery, woodcarving, etc.). For tourists - hotels, boarding houses, sanitary and health institutions, tourist bases, etc. The road and river communication is developed.
28. Kozlovka (1671) - a pier. Industry: LLC "Kozlovskiy kombinat vans", food and light industry enterprises, metal products plant. There are many schools in the city, scientific and educational. center of ChGU, music, art, sports schools; 4 libraries, a cinema and many museums; Kazan-Mother of God Church
29. Zelenodolsk is a small city (about 38 sq. Km), where the Zelenodolsk shipyard and 14 industrial enterprises are located. prepr. There is a large transport interchange, next to it is a ferry ferry crossing to the Volga. There are many temples in the city that are open to tourists; there are museums and monuments. There is a sanatorium-preventorium "Dolphin"
30. Kazan is a metropolis from us. about 2 million people Unique, where the cultures of the Ancient West and East merged historically in harmony. Here, next to the Kazan Kremlin and its "leaning tower" Syuyumbike, there is the Orthodox Church. Blagoveshchensky cathedral; Kul Sharif mosque and Spasskaya tower, etc. On the outskirts of the city there is the Temple of Five Religions, where an Orthodox church, a synagogue, a mosque, a pagoda and more than 15 religious buildings stand nearby. There are many metro stations, new hotels and sports facilities, parks, and a number of universities have been opened. The city is often visited by tourists. There are numerous monuments and architectural monuments. Kazan is a large industrial center, there are more than 3000 factories, factories, etc. Main area: aircraft and mechanical engineering; defense products., narcotics. consumption
    
    
31. Bolgar is a small old town, where there are six Orthodox churches, the White Cathedral Mosque, the Bulgar settlement, which includes the remains of a rampart and a ditch of the XIV-XV centuries, mausoleums, chambers, minarets. There are 3 museums. The grain-receiving enterprise works. and a bakery.
32. Tetyushi is an old town, founded. in 1574-78 There are many museums and architectural monuments, as well as modern monuments; Tetyushinskaya Mosque (1992), Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity, watchtower. For tourists - the natural park "Pike Mountains" with Lake "Labai" and wild animals. Enterprise: LLC "Tetyushskaya sewing factory", PO "Khleb"
33. Ulyanovsk - until 1924 - Simbirsk. The basis of the industry is the UAZ automobile plant, the UMP engine plant, a number of other factories, furniture, confectionery and textile factories. Tourists are interested in the Lenin Museum, the Civil Aviation Museum, and the Provincial Gymnasium. There are more than 40 monuments in the city, including the Monument to the Spoon, the Monument to the Letter Y, as well as monuments to many figures of science and culture.
34. Novoulyanovsk is a satellite city, founded. in 1957 There are more than 7 large and medium-sized enterprises producing building materials in the city, including ZAO Ulyanovskcement, ZAO Technokrom, etc., as well as confectionery OOO Globus. There are mountains. And a children's library, a recreation center, a complex of everyday life. service, etc.
35. Sengilei is a cozy small interesting town, but without sights. Most of the factories (lamp, bakery, etc.) are not working now. Famous for its pancakes. Only here there is a unique Monument to Blin.
    
    
36. Dimitrovgrad is a city of culture and industry. There are 11 libraries, a drama theater named after Ostrovsky, a cinema, more than 5 cultural centers and galleries, a family museum. Temples: Transfiguration Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, Church of St. George the Victorious. 5 large enterprises: JSC SSC RIAR, auto-aggregate DAAZ, etc .; build. Firm "Dimitrovgradstroy".
37. Togliatti is the largest economy. and prom. Centre. Such giants as JSC AvtoVAZ (auth. Lada), JV GM AvtoVAZ, more than 20 enterprises of the heavy and food industries, Volzhskaya TPP and Togliatinskaya TPP work here. Note: Eternal Flame in Victory Park, Monument of Devotion (in honor of the German Shepherd), 3 museums, Togliatti Gallery, Theater "Wheel".
38. Zhigulevsk - rasp. all in. parts of the Nat. Park "Samarskaya Luka" in the valley of the Zhigulevsky mountains. Industrial: Zhigulevskaya HPP, a branch of PJSC "RusHydro", 8 enterprises. light, food. and farm. industry. Churches: Temple of Righteous John of Kronstadt, Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
39. Samara - pop. 1 169 720 people; largest economy, transport, scientific image. and a cultural center. More than 145 large enterprises are located here. machine building and metalworking, aviation and space, food industry, 19 universities. Temples: Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lutheran Temple of St. George. Note: Fortress 1586, monument "Soyuz launch vehicle", Zhigulevsky brewery (built in 1881), underground "Stalin's bunker", many architects. buildings, museums, monuments.
40. Novokuibyshevsk is a large industrial, scientific and educational, cultural and sports. Centre. There are about 30 plants and factories, about 20 universities, 100 sports. construction., DK Novokuibyshevsk and 7 more cult institutions. Religion: 4 Orthodox churches, the Orthodox St. Seraphim Educational Center "Sinai", communities of Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses, the Novokuibyshevskaya Mosque.
41. Oktyabrsk is a small cozy town on the right bank. There are 2 berths (for sand and for oil products) and a railway station that transport products from 4 factories and a garment factory. Note: Zaitovskaya Cathedral Mosque (2008), History and Local Lore. Museum, Monument to Labor Glory.
42. Syzran is a port city, a railway junction, a large industrial area. and scientific-arr. Centre. Main directions: oil refining, petrochem. and chem. industry, heavy, energy and transport engineering, light and food industries. 4 branches of universities were opened, incl. VVA them. prof. Zhukovsky and Y. Gagarin, a number of Wed-special. educational institutions... Historical and architect. monuments: Elias Church, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and 3 more churches, old buildings and mansions, 2 museums, a drama theater, an arboretum.
    
    
43. Khvalynsk - (1556), an ecologically clean city on the ter. Nat. parka. It is famous for its huge number of rare plants, birds, amphibians, etc., protected by the state. Historical and archaeological. institutions: Holy Cross Church, a beautiful mosque, a number of museums and old houses. Large prom. there are no enterprises.
44. Balakovo - main. in 1762 Civilized, rapidly developing. a city with a drama theater, restaurants, a bowling club, etc. The Saratov hydroelectric power station, the Balakovo nuclear power plant, about 10 enterprises are open here. chem. and food industry, 5 cult. institutions, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and 8 more churches.
45. Volsk - founded as a fishing village, has preserved its historical buildings: old houses, estates, households, administrators, educational buildings, such as the Volsk Museum of Local Lore (1812), the Trinity Cathedral (1809), the Mariinsky Women's Gymnasium ( 1907). Industry: JSC "Volsky mech. plant ", LLC" Volskmel ", a number of other factories.
46. Marks is a small town with 4 enterprises. food industry, OOO NPF "Mossar", OAO "Volgodizelapparat". Historical monuments: Monument to Empress Catherine II, Memorial "In memory of those killed in the Second World War", several monuments in the City Park, attractions of owls. Times, children's and sports grounds.
47. Saratov is a metropolis with a population of over 1 million people. Large prom., Cultural image. Centre. City and regional administrator are located in buildings, built. In the XIX-XX centuries. The most beautiful building is the Holy Trinity Cathedral. SSU, 19 institutes, 3 colleges, about 10 libraries. There are a number of museums and historical monuments in the city. Prom .: more than 40 enterprises. heavy and light industries, such as OJSC Saratov Oil Refinery, OJSC Neftegazmash, etc.
48. Engels is a small but well-developed prom. Centre. There are more than 20 plants and factories here: LLC "Stankovita", JSC "Engelskaya Furniture Factory" and others, one of the largest air bases - "Engels VKS Russia", Note: Monument-steam locomotive series "L" , Monument - Bull, Palace of Culture, several museums. Of particular interest are churches: the Holy Trinity Church, the Engels Cathedral Mosque, and 8 more churches.
    
    
49. Kamyshin is a city on the right bank. It has a number of large industrial enterprises: the Kamyshinsky glass plant, the Rotor plant, and about 20 other enterprises. A drama theater, a Museum of History and Local Lore, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, a number of monuments, and a gallery have been opened.
50. Nikolaevsk is a small town founded in 1747. There is no industry here, the population is employed in agricultural production. But those who are attracted by eco-tourism and culture come here. The center of culture and leisure "Istok", several museums, the RDK, the Central Regional Library are open here.
51. Dubovka is a city with a unique history. The remains of a mammoth and a site of ancient people of the Paleolithic era were discovered here. There are many historical and architectural monuments: "Oak-Patriarch", an ensemble of buildings of the XIX-XX centuries. and others, the Assumption Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, several monuments of uch. WWII and others. Economy: Bakery, meat processing plant and 5 other small enterprises.
52. Volzhsky is a beautiful green city, a big prom. Centre. 14 enterprises were opened here: CJSC TsELS, Shveiprom, LLC "Sun and Wind", Volzhskaya HPP; 4 universities, an art gallery, a museum of local lore, etc. Among the religious monuments, the most famous are the Church of St. John the Theologian, the Temple of Seraphim of Sarov; only about 10 temples.
53. Volgograd is a metropolis, a hero-city of the Second World War. Here in 1942 the bloodiest battles were fought, but the city withstood, the army of Paulus was taken prisoner. Now there are many monuments dedicated to the Second World War, first of all - Mamayev Kurgan. On the right bank there is a monument to Lenin, listed in the Guinness Red Book. Tourism is poorly developed, not looking at the monuments of the Battle of Stalingrad, Sarepta, fishing and the way to Elton. The city has 4 museums, many old buildings (1772-1820), the Church of Nikita the Confessor, the Church of Paraskeva Friday. Metallurgy and mechanical engineering are well developed: factories "Barrikady", "Red October", "Aluminum plant" and more than 10 prepr.
54. Krasnoslobodsk is a small town. There is only 1 factory here - a fish factory. There is an Experimental Station of the Institute of Plant Industry. NI Vavilov, several churches. The oldest is the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - it is over 100 years old; monastery of the Archangel Michael.
55. Akhtubinsk is a small town, the main enterprise. which is the State. Flight Test Center. Chkalov. In addition to him, a meat-packing plant, a bakery., A pass. item "Bassol". Tourists are attracted here by fishing, memorials, monuments, a local history museum. There are 2 churches: the Church of the Archangel Michael and the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
56. Narimanov is the youngest (1963) city with a local history museum and many sports sections and libraries. There is a monument to Lenin and several monuments to those who died in the Second World War. The shipyard "Lotos" and the oil terminal are in operation.
    
    
57. Astrakhan is the last city on the Volga, located at the beginning of the delta. The Astrakhan Nature Reserve, created in 1919, protects the delta and part of the Caspian Sea. There are many rare animals and plants, lotus fields. The city's celebrity is the Astrakhan Kremlin (1562-1589) and the Assumption Cathedral (1699-1710). In addition to them, there are 6 more places of worship, more than 20 churches, old mansions and farmsteads, including the Indian commercial courtyard, 4 mosques: White, Black, Red and Persian; many monuments. 35 universities were opened, more than 25 additional institutions were opened. education, more than 80 boards. institutions. The backbone of the industry is OJSC CHP "Severnaya" and LLC "South Generating Company - TGK-8". There are 5 Stroymash factories in operation; 2 chemical industry plants; in metallurgy - Astrakhan Machine-Tool Plant OJSC.
    
    

To be fair, it should be noted that we missed one city of Mologa.

Previously located on the map with Yaroslavl, in the place where the Mologa River merged with the Volga. Due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station (Rybinskaya) in April 1941, 7,000 people were resettled to other areas. Then the country faced an important task - electrification.

If you missed anything, please note in the comments.

The Volga is located in the European part of Russia and ranks first among the longest Russian rivers and 16th among the longest rivers on our planet. The big river takes its headwaters at the Valdai Upland and flows into the Caspian Sea. It feeds on snow, unpaved streams and torrential streams.

The Volga is characterized by a calm, slow current. The banks of the river serve as a wonderful resting place, and more than 70 species of fish live in the water. Many of these fish species are commercial fish.

The length of the Volga river

The length of the largest river is 3,530 km, the basin area is 1,360,000 km ², and before the construction of reservoirs on it, the length was more than 3,600 km. The source of the river is the Voldai Upland, and the mouth is the Caspian Sea. It is the largest river in the world that flows into an enclosed body of water, which is the largest closed lake ( Caspian Sea), the annual runoff is 254 km³.

The waterway of Russia passes through many regions of the country. Tver, Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovskaya, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan regions, as well as the republics of Chuvashia, Mari El, Tatarstan, are located on the shores of the water element. The upper course is directed from the western part to the east, and the lower course from the northern part to the south. It ends in the Caspian Sea.

The source of the Volga river

(The source of the Volga to 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 an altitude of a mountain elevation, more than 200 meters above sea level.

Many tourists are attracted by a small chapel, which was built on the place 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 brook becomes a wide river with a long 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.

The 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 bank of the river.

A unique nature reserve was built at the confluence of the Volga. Rare species of flora and fauna are protected by the state. Astrakhan Nature Reserve attracts many travelers and amazes its guests with picturesque places.

Tributaries of the Volga River

(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 stream has large streams such as Darkness, Unzha and Mologa. The middle course includes Sura, Vetluga and Sviyaga. The lower course consists of Samara, Eruslan 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 estuary, Mount Lobach)

Among some scientists, there is an opinion 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.

Russian cities on the Volga river

(Volga along the city of Yaroslavl)

Some powerful cities of Russia are located on the banks of the Volga: Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Samara and Volgograd. Administrative centers are economic, cultural, sports, industrial centers for the Russian Federation.

Also, large cities on the river are no less important: Astrakhan, Saratov, Kharabali, Kineshma and many others. There are many settlements along the route of the river. Railway and road routes have been created, so not a single tourist has any problems with the question of how to get to the mighty Volga. More than 1400 marinas and industrial ports are located on its shores.

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 in the Russian Federation are concentrated in its waters and shores. The main function of the river is its economic role. Industrial materials, foodstuffs and other necessary goods are transported along the river, which improve the livelihoods of people.

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 thanks to the ample clear water and colorful nature that surrounds its shores.

Volga river in folk culture

Russia's favorite symbol is the powerful mother - the Volga River. She has 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 entirely glorified and continue to glorify it.

The Volga is also vividly captured in the paintings of world artists. The Volozhskaya theme is regularly interpreted in a rich creative range and genre variety. Hundreds of works by many nameless creators have survived to our times, which depict a variety of fragments of the great Volga River.

The Volga River is a mighty water stream that carries its waters across the European territory of Russia and flows into the Caspian Sea. The total length from source to mouth is 3692 km. It is customary not to take into account individual sections of the reservoirs. Therefore, officially the length of the Volga is 3530 km... It is considered the longest in Europe. And the area of ​​the water basin is 1 million 380 thousand square meters. km. This is a third of the European part of Russia.

The source of the Volga

The river begins its journey at the Valdai Upland. This is the Ostashkovsky district of the Tver region. On the outskirts of the Volgoverkhovye village, several springs gush out of the ground. One of them is considered the source of the great river. The spring is surrounded by a chapel, which can be reached by a bridge. All springs flow into a small body of water. A stream flows out of it, reaching a width of no more than 1 meter and a depth of 25-30 cm. The height above sea level in this place is 228 meters.

The stream is 3.2 km long. It flows into Lake Malye Verhity. It flows out of it and flows into the next lake, Bolshie Verhity. Here the brook widens and turns into a rivulet that flows into Lake Sterzh. It is 12 km long and 1.5 km wide. The average depth is 5 meters, and the maximum depth is up to 8 meters. The total area of ​​the lake is 18 sq. km. The lake is part of the Upper Volga reservoir, which stretches for 85 km. After the reservoir, the Upper Volga begins.

The great Russian river Volga

Waterway of the great Russian river

The river is conventionally divided into three large sections. These are the Upper, Middle and Lower Volga. The first large city on the way of the water flow is Rzhev. From the source to it 200 km. The next major locality is the ancient Russian city of Tver with a population of over 400 thousand people. Here is the Ivankovskoe reservoir, which is 120 km long. Next is the Uglich reservoir with a length of 146 km. North of the city Rybinsk is Rybinsk reservoir... This is the northernmost point of the great river. Further, it no longer flows to the northeast, but turns to the southeast.

A stream of water once carried its waters here along a narrow valley. It crossed a series of highlands and lowlands. Now these places have turned into the Gorky reservoir. On its banks are the cities of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Kineshma. Above Nizhny Novgorod is the regional administrative center Gorodets. Here the Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power station was built, forming the Gorky reservoir, stretching for 427 km.

The Middle Volga begins after reunification with the Oka. This is the largest right tributary. Its length is 1499 km. It flows into the great Russian river in Nizhny Novgorod. This is one of largest cities Russia.

Volga on the map

Having taken in the waters of the Oka, the Volga River becomes wider and rushes to the east. It flows along the northern part of the Volga Upland. Near Cheboksary, the Cheboksary hydroelectric power station blocks its road and forms the Cheboksary reservoir. Its length is 341 km, width is 16 km. After that, the course of the river shifts to the southeast, and turns to the south near the city of Kazan.

The Volga becomes a truly powerful river after the Kama flows into it. This is the largest left tributary. Its length is 1805 km. Kama surpasses the Volga in all respects. But for some reason it does not flow into the Caspian Sea. This is due to the historically established names and traditions.

After reunification with the Kama, the lower course of the great Russian river begins. It is moving steadily south towards the Caspian Sea. On its banks are such cities as Ulyanovsk, Togliatti, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd. Near Togliatti and Samara, the river forms a bend (Samarskaya Luka), directed to the east. At this point, the water stream goes around the Togliatti Mountains. Upstream is the largest Kuibyshev reservoir on the river... By its area, it is considered the third largest in the world. Its length reaches 500 km and its width is 40 km.

River pier in Saratov

Downstream of Samara is the Saratov Reservoir, which is 341 km long. It is formed by a dam built near the town of Balakovo.

From Samara to Volgograd, the river flows to the southwest. Above Volgograd, the left arm is separated from the main water flow. It is called Akhtuba. The arm of the arm is 537 km. The Volzhskaya HPP was built between Volgograd and the beginning of Akhtuba. It forms the Volgograd reservoir. Its length is 540 km, and its width reaches 17 km.

Volga delta

The delta of the great Russian river begins in the Volgograd region. Its length is about 160 km, its width reaches 40 km.... It is included in the delta of almost 500 canals and small rivers. It is the largest estuary in Europe. The Bakhtemir arm forms the navigable Volga-Caspian canal. The Kigach River, which is one of the branches, flows through the territory of Kazakhstan. These places contain unique flora and fauna. Here you can find pelicans, flamingos, as well as a plant such as lotus.

Such ships sail along the Volga

Shipping

The Volga River underwent significant transformations during the Soviet era. Many dams were built on it, taking into account shipping. Therefore, ships easily get from the Caspian Sea to the northern regions of the country.

Communication with the Black Sea and the Don is carried out through the Volga-Don Canal. With the northern lakes (Ladoga, Onega), St. Petersburg and the Baltic Sea, communication is carried out through the Volga-Baltic waterway. The great river is connected with Moscow by the channel named after Moscow.

The river is considered navigable from the city of Rzhev to the delta... A wide variety of industrial goods are transported along it. These are oil, coal, timber, food. During the 3 winter months, the water stream freezes over most of its path.

The Volga has a very rich history. It is inextricably linked to many of the most important political events... The economic importance of the water flow is also disproportionate. It is the most important artery that unites many regions into a single whole. The largest industrial and administrative centers are located on its banks. There are as many as four millionaire cities alone. These are Kazan, Volgograd, Samara and Nizhny Novgorod. Therefore, the mighty waters are rightfully called the great Russian river.

Despite the fact that there are many different beautiful rivers in Russia, nevertheless, the Volga is most valuable for her, the population of the country calls her majestic, based on the fact that the Volga is the queen of all Russian rivers. Scientists geologists determine from deposits in the earth's crust that over the immeasurably long history of the Earth, significant areas of the present Volga region have repeatedly turned into the seabed. One of the seas slowly receded to the south about twenty million years ago, and then the Volga River flowed in its footsteps. The Volga began not at Valdai, but near the Ural Mountains. She, as it were, cut off the corner, taking the direction from there to the Zhiguli, and further carried the waters much farther east than now. The movements of the earth's crust, the formation of new heights and depressions, sharp fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea and other reasons forced the Volga River to change direction.

Origin of the name of the river

From the facts ancient history it is known that the famous Greek scientist at that time by the name of Ptolemy in his "Geography" called the Volga River by the name of "Ra". Not looking at the fact that he lived far from the Volga, on the coast of Africa, in the city of Alexandria, but there were rumors about this great river. It was in the 2nd century AD. Later, in the Middle Ages, the Volga was known as Itil.

According to one of the versions, the modern name of the Volga was acquired by the ancient Mari name of the Volgydo river, or, which in translation means "light". According to another version, the name of the Volga comes from the Finno-Ugric word Volkea, which means “light” or “white”. There is also a version that the name Volga came from the name Bulga, associated with the Volga Bulgarians living on its shores. But the Bulgarians themselves (the ancestors of the modern Tatars) called the reuk “Itil”, the word which means “river” (there is, however, another version that the meanings of the hydronyms Volga and Itil did not coincide with the modern ones at that time), it is believed that the origin of the ethnonym “Volga” is most likely "From the Proto-Slavic word meaning volgly - vologa - moisture, thus the possible meaning of the name of the Volga is as" water "or" moisture ", if I can put it," big water "is also suitable, due to the huge size of the river. For the Slavic version of the origin of the name, the presence of the rivers Vlga in the Czech Republic and Vilga in Poland speaks.

The source of the Volga

The source of the Volga is a spring near the Volgoverkhovye village in the Tver region. In the upper reaches, within the Valdai Upland, the Volga passes through small lakes - Maloye and Bolshoye Verkhity, then through a system of large lakes known as the Upper Volga lakes: Sterzh, Vselug, Peno and Volgo, united into the Upper Volga reservoir.

The geographical location of the river

The Volga originates from the Valdai Upland (at an altitude of 229 m) and flows into the Caspian Sea. The length of the Volga is 3530 kilometers. The estuary lies 28 m below sea level. The total drop is 256 m. The Volga is the world's largest river of internal flow, that is, it does not flow into the world ocean. The source of the Volga is a key near the Volgoverkhovye village in the Tver region. In the upper reaches, within the Valdai Upland, the Volga passes through small lakes - Maloye and Bolshoye Verkhity, then through a system of large lakes known as the Upper Volga lakes: Sterzh, Vselug, Peno and Volgo, united into the so-called Upper Volga reservoir.

The river can be conditionally divided into three main parts, these are:

the upper Volga, the largest tributaries of the upper Volga are Selizharovka, Tma, Tvertsa, Mologa, Sheksna and Unzha. After the Volga passed through the system of the Upper Volga lakes in 1843, a dam (Upper Volga beishlot) was built to regulate the flow of water and maintain navigable depths during low water periods. Between the cities of Tver and Rybinsk on the Volga, the Ivankovskoye Reservoir (the so-called Moscow Sea) with a dam and a hydroelectric power station near Dubna, the Uglichskoye Reservoir (a hydroelectric power station near Uglich), and the Rybinsk Reservoir (a hydroelectric power station near Rybinsk) were created. In the Rybinsk-Yaroslavl region and below Kostroma, the river flows in a narrow valley among high banks, crossing the Uglich-Danilovskaya and Galich-Chukhlomskaya uplands. Further, the Volga flows along the Unzha and Balakhna lowlands. Near Gorodets (above Nizhny Novgorod), the Volga, partitioned off by the dam of the Gorky hydroelectric power station, forms the Gorky reservoir.

The middle Volga, in the middle reaches, below the confluence of the Oka, the Volga becomes even more full-flowing. It flows along the northern edge of the Volga Upland. The right bank of the river is high, the left is low. The Cheboksary hydroelectric power station was built near Cheboksary, above the dam of which the Cheboksary reservoir is located. The largest tributaries of the Volga in its middle reaches are the Oka, Sura, Vetluga and Sviyaga.

The Lower Volga, where in the lower reaches, after the confluence of the Kama, the Volga becomes a mighty river. It flows here along the Volga Upland. A dam of the Zhigulevskaya hydroelectric power station was built near Togliatti, above the Samarskaya Luka, which is formed by the Volga, skirting the Zhiguli mountains; above the dam stretches the Kuibyshev reservoir. A dam of the Saratov hydroelectric power station was erected on the Volga near the town of Balakovo. The Lower Volga receives relatively small tributaries - Sok, Samara, Bolshoi Irgiz, Eruslan. 21 km above Volgograd, the left branch - Akhtuba (length 537 km) is separated from the Volga, which flows parallel to the main channel. The vast space between the Volga and Akhtuba, crossed by numerous channels and old rivers, is called the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain; the width of spills within this floodplain previously reached 20-30 km. On the Volga, between the beginning of Akhtuba and Volgograd, the Volzhskaya hydroelectric power station was built; above the dam stretches the Volgograd reservoir.

The Volga delta begins at the point where the Akhtuba separates from its channel (in the Volgograd region) and is one of the largest in Russia. There are up to 500 branches, channels and small rivers in the delta. The main branches are Bakhtemir, Kamyzyak, Staraya Volga, Bolda, Buzan, Akhtuba (of which Bakhtemir is maintained in a navigable state, forming the Volga-Caspian canal).

Territorial division of the river

Territorially, the Volga basin includes Astrakhan, Volgograd, Saratov, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Ivanovskaya, Kostromskaya, Moscow, Smolensk, Tverskaya, Vladimirskaya, Kaluga, Oryol, Ryazan, Vologda, Kirovskaya, Penza, Tambov regions, Perm regions, Udmurtia, Mari El, Mordovia, Chuvashia, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Kalmykia, Komi, Moscow, and some others.

The Volga is connected to the Baltic Sea by the Volga-Baltic waterway, the Vyshnevolotsk and Tikhvin systems; with the White Sea - through the Severodvinsk system and through the White Sea-Baltic Canal; with the Azov and Black Seas - through the Volga-Don Canal.

The main supply of the Volga River is melted external waters. Rainfall, which falls mainly in the summer, and the groundwater, due to which the river lives in winter, play a lesser role in its feeding. In accordance with this, in the annual level of the river, there are high and prolonged spring floods, a fairly stable summer low-water period and a low winter low-water period. The duration of the flood is 72 days on average. The maximum rise in water usually occurs in the first half of May, half a month after the spring ice drift. From the beginning of June to October - November, a summer low water period is established. Thus, most of the navigation period, when the Volga River is ice-free (200 days on average), coincides with the period of low low-water levels (2 - 3 m).

The history of the Volga river

It is believed that the first mention of the Volga is found in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC). In the story of the campaign of the Persian king Darius against the Scythians, Herodotus reports that Darius, pursuing the Scythians across the Tanais (Don) river, stopped at the Oar river. They are trying to identify the Oar River with the Volga, although Herodotus also said that the Oar flows into the Meotida (Sea of ​​Azov). Sometimes they also see the Volga in another river, about which in the 1st century. BC NS. reported by Diodorus of Siculus.

At first, the Scythians lived in very small numbers near the Araks River and were despised for their dishonor. But even in ancient times, under the control of one warlike and distinguished by strategic abilities king, they acquired a country for themselves in the mountains up to the Caucasus, and in the lowlands of the coast of the Ocean and Meotian Lake - and other areas up to the Tanais River.

In written ancient Roman sources of the 2nd-4th centuries, the Volga is geographically identified as the river Ra - generous, in the Arab sources of the 9th century it is called Atel, a river of rivers, a great river. In the earliest ancient Russian chronicle, "The Tale of Bygone Years", it is said: "From that Volokovsky forest the Volga will flow to the east and flow into ... the Khvalisskoe Sea." Volokovsky forest is the old name of the Valdai Upland. The Caspian Sea was called Khvalissky.

The geographical position of the Volga and its large tributaries determined by the 8th century its importance as a trade route between East and West. It was along the Volga road that a stream of Arab silver poured into the Scandinavian countries. Fabrics, metals were exported from the Arab Caliphate, slaves, furs, wax, honey were exported from the Slavic lands. V IX-X centuries in trade, such centers as the Khazar Itil at the mouth, the Bulgar Bulgar on the Middle Volga, the Russian Rostov, Suzdal, and Murom in the Vernem Volga region played a significant role. Since the 11th century, trade has weakened, and in the 13th century the Mongol-Tatar invasion disrupted economic ties, except for the upper Volga basin, where Novgorod, Tver and the cities of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus played an active role. Since the 15th century, the importance of the trade route has been restored, and the role of such centers as Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Astrakhan has been growing. The conquest of the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates by Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century led to the unification of the entire Volga river system in the hands of Russia, which contributed to the flourishing of the Volga trade in the 17th century. New large cities arose — Samara, Saratov, Tsaritsyn; Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Nizhny Novgorod play an important role. Large caravans of ships (up to 500) go along the Volga. In the 18th century, the main trade routes moved to the West, and the economic development of the lower Volga was constrained by the weak population and raids of nomads. The Volga basin in the 17th-18th centuries was the main area of ​​operations of the insurgent peasants and Cossacks during the peasant wars under the leadership of S.T. Razin and E.I. Pugachev.

In the 19th century, there was a significant development of the Volga trade route after the connection of the Volga and Neva basins by the Mariinsky river system (1808); a large river fleet appeared (in 1820 - the first steamer), a huge army of barge haulers (up to 300 thousand people) was working on the Volga. Large shipments of bread, salt, fish, and later oil and cotton are carried out.

The development of the Civil War of 1917-22 in Russia is largely associated with the establishment in 1918 in a number of cities of the Volga region of the power of the Committee constituent assembly... The restoration of Bolshevik control over the Volga is considered an important turning point in the Civil War, as control over the Volga provided access to grain resources and Baku oil. An important role in the Civil War was played by the defense of Tsaritsyn, in which J.V. Stalin played an active role, which was the reason for the renaming of Tsaritsyn to Stalingrad.

During the years of socialist construction, in connection with the industrialization of the entire country, the importance of the Volga Way increased. Since the end of the 30s of the XX century, the Volga began to be used also as a source of hydropower. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, the largest Battle of Stalingrad took place on the Volga, which retained the name of the Volga in the history of the liberated region. V post-war period the economic role of the Volga increased significantly, especially after the creation of a number of large reservoirs and hydroelectric power plants.

The natural world of the Volga

Large forests are located in the upper Volga basin, in the Middle and partly in the Lower Volga region large areas busy with crops of grain and industrial crops. Melon growing and horticulture are well developed. In the Volga-Ural region there are rich oil and gas fields. Near Solikamsk - large deposits potassium salts... In the Lower Volga region (Lake Baskunchak, Elton) - table salt.

In terms of the variety of fish, the Volga is one of the richest rivers. The Volga River basin is home to 76 species of various fish and 47 subspecies of fish. Fish enter the Volga from the Caspian Sea: lamprey, beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, thorn, white fish, anadromous Volga or ordinary herring; from semi-anadromous: carp, bream, pike perch, roach, etc. Fish constantly live in the Volga: sterlet, carp, bream, pike perch, ide, pike, burbot, catfish, perch, ruff, asp. Beluga is the most legendary fish in the Caspian basin. Its age reaches 100 years, and its weight is 1.5 tons. At the beginning of the century, belugas weighing over a ton lived in the Volga, the weight of eggs in females was up to 15% of the total body weight. Red fish is the glory of the Astrakhan region. Five species of sturgeon fish live here - Russian sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, thorn and sterlet. The first four species are anadromous, and the sterlet is a freshwater fish. The farms also breed a hybrid of beluga and sterlet - bester. Herring-like fishes are represented by the Caspian puss, sprat and black-backed sprat and Volga herring.

Of the salmon-like fish, the white fish is found, the only representative of the pike is the pike. The carp fish of the lower Volga include bream, carp, roach, rudd, gold and silver carp, asp, silver bream, gudgeon, grass carp, white and motley silver carp.

Perch fish in the Volga are represented by river perch, ruff, as well as pike perch and bersh. In stagnant shallow freshwater reservoirs of the Volga lower reaches, the only representative of the order of sticklebacks, the southern stickleback, is ubiquitous.

The influence of the Volga in creativity

In the figurative perception of the essence of the Russian people, the Volga plays an exclusive and central role, it is the root and core of the entire Russian people, a figurative ideal. She is always animated, human qualities are attributed to her, and the ideal Russian person must correspond to the image of this river. In literature and art, the Volga is not found too often, but truly cult works are associated with its image. In the culture of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the most "popular" representatives of culture are associated with the Volga: N.A. Nekrasov, Maxim Gorky, F.I. Shalyapin. Soviet art made full use of the image of the Volga, created by the democratic art of pre-revolutionary Russia. The Volga is identified with the Motherland, it is a symbol of freedom, space, breadth and greatness of the spirit of Soviet people. The film "Volga-Volga" and the song "The Volga Flows" performed by Lyudmila Zykina played a central role in the construction of this image.

Volga delta

The Volga Delta is the place where the first biosphere reserve in Russia was created in 1919. Five years ago, another federal state natural reserve, Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky, appeared in the Astrakhan region. We understand that nature reserves constantly have a lot of problems, the solution of which cannot be postponed, therefore the financing of their activities is mostly on the responsibility of the regional budget. Astrakhan residents are proud that Maly Zhemchuzhny Island received the status of a federal natural monument last year. This is one of the most valuable natural reserves in the North Caspian. In addition, 800 thousand hectares of the delta have the status of a wetland. international significance... There are four state nature reserves of regional significance in our region.

The Volga Delta is recognized as the most ecologically safe delta in Europe. Our task, despite the fact that the territory for economic use is highly valued here, is to expand the boundaries of natural reserves. Now, for example, the idea of ​​creating so-called biosphere polygons in the region is being worked out. We are one of the first to do this in Russia. 300 thousand hectares of the Northern Caspian and the Volga delta will have to be reserved for them. In these areas, mainly water, will be tested modern methods economic activity that will not harm the unique environment. We are for openness environmental information and we always promptly respond to any emergency signals and problems.

The largest river valley in Europe, the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain and the Volga river delta, as well as the surrounding desert, have always attracted the attention of botanists. The first studies were mainly concerned with the species composition of the flora. At different times the region was visited by: P. S Pallas, K. K Klaus, E. A Eversmann, I. K Pachosky, A. Ya Gordyagin and many other outstanding travelers and botanists. In the late 1920s, more attention was paid to floodplain habitats. To one of the first researchers of the vegetation cover of the Lower Volga valley - S. I Korzhinsky (in 1888) - the floristic composition of its meadows and bogs initially seemed rather monotonous, but later these ideas began to change. G. Ramenskiy (in 1931) noted a change in the composition of the herbaceous communities of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain and delta as we moved downstream of the river.

History

Until the 30s. of the twentieth century, the Volga was practically used only as a transport route and a fishing industry. The main organic shortcomings of the Volga trade route for many centuries were the absence of water connections with the World Ocean and the stepped depths. The first drawback was once tried to be overcome by organizing drags. But only very small ships could be transported by drag across the watersheds. Peter I organized work to connect the Volga with the Don and the Baltic Sea. However, due to the lack of equipment that corresponded to the scale of the work, the efforts expended to connect the Volga with the Don were not crowned with success. The fate of the works on the Upper Volga was different. In 1703 they began and in 1709 completed the construction of the Vyshnevolotsk system. Through the rivers Tvertsa, Tsnu, Metu, Volkhov, Lake Ladoga and Niva, cargo transported along the Volga got access to the Baltic Sea. The limited carrying capacity of this water system forced to look for other ways of developing water links between the Volga basin and the Baltic.

In 1810, the Mariinsky water system entered into operation, connecting the Volga with the Baltic through the rivers Sheksna, Vyterga, Lake Onega, r. Svir, Lake Ladoga and Neva, and in 1811 - the Tikhvin water system, which did the same through the rivers Mologu, Chagodoma, Syas and the Ladoga canal.

In 1828, the construction of the Württemberg (North-Dvina) system was completed, which connected the Volga basin through the Sheken River, the Toporninsky Canal, the Siverskoye and Kubenskoye lakes with the r. Sukhona, Northern Dvina and the White Sea. In the first half of the 19th century. work began to actively develop to overcome another major drawback of the Volga transport route - the stepped depths.

Along with shipping great importance in the Volga basin from time immemorial he had a fishing industry. The Volga has always been abundant in fish, semi-anadromous and anadromous. Sharp fluctuations in catches in the Volga basin were also noted in those times when the influence of human economic activity was practically insignificant. Mills were built on small tributaries of the Volga in pre-Petrine times. At the time of Peter I, water energy began to be used for metallurgical plants created in the Urals.

At the end of the XIX-beginning of the XX century. it became clear that the extremely favorable position of the Volga in the very center of the European part of Russia, the richest land, water and mineral resources, the enormous fish wealth of the Volga basin, the availability of skilled workers in the industrial regions - Moscow, Ivanovsky, Nizhny Novgorod, Ural - cannot be used in fully without developing an adequate energy base.

The significance of the Volga river

Nowadays, the river plays a significant role in the Russian economy, since a large number of hydroelectric power plants are located on it, and the river itself is necessary for various sea cargo transportation, which is now being successfully carried out.

In addition, the Volga is the main artery of the country, supplying it water resources It is also worth adding that many reservoirs have been created on the Volga. And for local residents villages which are located near the Volga river makes it possible to feel like tourists, swimming along the river, and just admire the beautiful landscape, once again glancing at it.

There is no other place in the world with such a density of tourist sites as in the Bakhchisarai region! Mountains and sea, rare landscapes and cave cities, lakes and waterfalls, secrets of nature and mysteries of history. Discoveries and the spirit of adventure ... Mountain tourism is not at all difficult here, but any trail pleases with clean springs and lakes.

Adygea, Crimea. Mountains, waterfalls, herbs of alpine meadows, healing mountain air, absolute silence, snowfields in the middle of summer, the murmur of mountain streams and rivers, stunning landscapes, songs by the fires, the spirit of romance and adventure, the wind of freedom are waiting for you! And at the end of the route there are gentle waves of the Black Sea.