Volga is one of the most famous symbols of Russia, the largest river not only in the country, but in the whole planet. The life of the European part of the country is concentrated on the river, the electricity generated and the agricultural products grown are needed by all of Russia. Here you can relax, fish and live permanently, enjoying the magnificent nature.
Impressive scale
The length of this great river is more than 3.5 thousand kilometers. It supplies water to 4 million-plus cities, is blocked by four power plants, and gave the name to the whole region. The huge river has more than 200 tributaries, and its basin occupies a third of the European territory of Russia. It flows through forests, steppes, mountains and semi-deserts. The map of the country shows that the Volga River flows through 15 subjects of the federation. Plants and animals of the river are very diverse: these are water meadows, as well as a real miracle - lotus fields, which UNESCO considers a biosphere reserve. More than 500 plant species grow in the Volga floodplain, distributed among 82 families.
Different parts of the river
Due to the huge length and different nature, the Volga River is conventionally divided into several parts. Plants and animals of the river are quite diverse.
On the Upper Volga, where the cities of Rzhev, Tver, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Kostroma and Nizhny Novgorod are located, 4 reservoirs have been artificially created. All of them were formed during the construction of hydroelectric power plants: Ivankovskoye, Uglichskoye, Rybinsk and Gorky reservoirs.
Middle Volga
In this part the river overcomes the entire Volga Upland. Here 4 rivers flow into it, the largest of which is the Oka. Forms a large reservoir Cheboksary HPP. On the territory of the hill passes the Volga-Don watershed, one of the parts of which is the Volga River. Plants and animals of the river form the forest-steppe landscape of these places. This is the habitat of a brown bear, squirrels and martens, there is a lynx and a taiga polecat. Hunters are looking for hazel grouse and capercaillie here. The local forests resemble the taiga, you can see mighty pine trees at every step.
Lower Volga
In the lower reaches, the Kama flows into the Volga, and the river becomes unusually deep. The Zhigulevskaya HPP is preceded by the Kuibyshev reservoir, further downstream you can see the Volgograd reservoir.
Below Astrakhan begins a unique place - the delta, on which the state reserve is located, for which the Volga River is famous. Plants and animals of the river are protected in this place. There are many fishing bases here.year-round fishing. Here they not only catch sturgeons and admire the blooming lotus, but also observe pelicans, Siberian Cranes and flamingos in their natural environment.
Water mode
The river receives water from an area of almost one and a half million kilometers. The regime of the Volga River depends, of course, on the climate. Melting snows and pouring rains influence it. The width of the river in some places reaches 2500 meters. The depth in shallow places does not fall below 2.5 meters. Here is a characteristic of the Volga River. But it was not always like this: before the construction of reservoirs that regulate the water level, it could be only 30 cm aground.
Ice sets in late November - early December, this is the regime of the Volga River. The beginning of navigation falls on the beginning of April, and the opening of the ice near Astrakhan - in March. The river reaches the Caspian Sea in a calm and smooth flow.
Characteristic
In a kind of ranking of the longest rivers of the planet, the Volga occupies the 16th place, but it has no equal in Europe. Through the Volga-Don Canal, it connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, and through the B altic Way with the sea of the same name. The White Sea is connected through the Severodvinsk river network.
The slope of the water artery is small - only 256 meters all the way. The main characteristic of the river (Volga) is its water flow rate, which is only 1 meter per second. For an hour in different places the river overcomes from 2 to 6 kilometers. Such features allow all kinds of plants and animals to develop rapidly.
Indicator of "comfort" of the river among living creatures - catfish. The usual weight of this fish is up to 400 kg (in other cases), but there are champions weighing up to one and a half tons.
Volga River: source and mouth
The majestic river begins with a small stream near the village with the speaking name Volga-Verkhovye. The village is located on the Valdai Hills, and the stream is guarded by a wooden chapel.
The river flows smoothly along the Central Russian Upland, and makes a turn to the south near the Urals. Then it goes along the Caspian lowland and gives up its waters to the sea of the same name. The Volga River is the country's central waterway.
The Volga River has more than 150 thousand rivers and streams. The source and mouth of the river are real national treasures that nourish cities and towns with moisture. Everything that people across Russia eat grows on the Volga water.
Such different fish
You can write a whole poem about this, which is what experienced fishermen do. Some species of fish live here permanently, while others come from the Caspian. Pike perch, bream, carp, asp, ruff and blue bream, white-eye and roach, chub, perch and grayling are permanent inhabitants of the river. Sturgeon and beluga, white salmon and herring come here from the Caspian Sea.
The variety of the fish world is amazing. The smallest fish that lives here is only 2.5 cm long. This is a granular button head, which is known mainly by ichthyologists. But everyone knows about beluga, growing up to 4 meters in length. Many books and manuals have been written about what kind of fish is found in the Volga.
In bays overgrown with plants, wherethe quietest current, the carp feels great. Astrakhan is home to red fish species that have glorified Russia throughout the world. These are sterlet and stellate sturgeon, thorn and the famous sturgeon. Volga herring and mirror carp are the best treat for locals and guests. There are many fishing bases for everyone, where you can see with your own eyes what kind of fish is found in the Volga.
Environmental Issues
The surface from which the Volga collects precipitation occupies 8% of the territory of the European part of Russia. Statistics say that the mouth of the Volga is classified as one of the top ten rivers in terms of pollution. Actually, the whole life of these places is connected with the Volga, all waste flows here. If the amount of industrial waste can be reduced, then unorganized waste is a real scourge of the river. These are excess chemical fertilizers and other aggressive substances washed away by rains.
What is being done to protect the Volga River?
Everyone who is familiar with the problems of the river unanimously says that the turbines of power plants bring the greatest harm to all living things. They create frantic flows and pressure drops that are detrimental to all living things. Plankton, tadpoles and everything else that keeps the river alive are dying.
By the way, this situation is typical not only for the Volga. This is a global problem affecting all major rivers in developed countries. The question of survival in the blades of turbines worries zoologists and engineers around the world. A lot of conferences and symposiums are devoted to this.
Not so long ago, scientists from St. Petersburg developed an innovative and simple waypreservation of living beings in turbine blades. Scientists proposed to inject bubbles of ordinary air under a certain pressure and in the right concentration. Balloons absorb excess pressure, centrifugal and centripetal forces. All small living creatures, passing through such a balanced water-air mixture, remain intact.
The method has been invented, there is a patent, the technology is clear. But officials have stood in the way of implementation with an impenetrable wall, their indifference has not yet been overcome. One can only hope that common sense and the desire to live on a living river will still win.
Beautiful shores
The banks of the Volga have inspired artists and poets throughout the ages. Many folk songs and poems about the great river were composed and written. The feat of Stalingrad is inextricably linked with the Volga. Since then, every Russian person knows that there is no land for us beyond the Volga. Songs, films, exhibitions, books - all this was given the name of the Russian river. Reserves and recreation areas, cities, villages and towns - all this is also the Volga.
In works of art, it is inextricably linked with the Russian character. The souls of a river and a person are similar: also generosity, breadth and kindness.
Today, the banks of the Volga are being actively developed: cottage settlements with modern infrastructure are being built, with an excellent view of the river.
