Overview
The Volga is the longest river in Europe, with a length of approximately 3,530 kilometers. It rises in the Valdai Hills northwest of Moscow and flows generally southeastward across western Russia, ultimately emptying into the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water. The Volga lies entirely within Russia.
Geography and Physical Features
The Volga's drainage basin covers about 1.36 million square kilometers, roughly one-third of European Russia. The river has more than 200 tributaries, the largest being the Kama and the Oka. A series of large reservoirs created by hydroelectric dams during the Soviet era have transformed much of its course into a chain of broad lakes.
Significance
The Volga is often called the "Mother Volga" in Russian culture and has played a central role in Russian history, commerce, and identity. Numerous major cities lie on its banks, including Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Volgograd, and Astrakhan. The Battle of Stalingrad, fought along the Volga during World War II, was a turning point in the war.
Notable Facts
The Volga-Don Canal, completed in 1952, links the Volga to the Don River, providing a connection to the Black Sea. The Volga delta is one of the largest river deltas in Europe and is famous for its sturgeon and beluga caviar. The river typically freezes for about three months each winter.