Volga

The Volga is the longest river in Europe, approximately 3,530 kilometers long, located in western Russia. It rises in the Valdai Hills in Tver Oblast and flows generally south and east to the Caspian Sea. The Volga forms Europe’s largest river delta at its Caspian mouth.

It flows through major cities such as Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Saratov, and Volgograd. Much of its course is heavily dammed; major reservoirs include the Kuybyshev Reservoir and the Volgograd Reservoir, which support hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. The Volga–Don Canal links the Volga basin with the Don basin, creating a waterway from the Baltic to the Caspian.

Economic and cultural importance: The Volga has long served as a principal transport and economic artery; it supports shipping, fishing, and industry, and hosts several hydroelectric stations along its length. The river is a national symbol in Russia and is often referred to as "Mother Volga" in literature and song.

The Volga basin covers about 1.36 million square kilometers, representing a significant portion of western Russia. The delta and surrounding wetlands are important habitats for migratory birds and fisheries, though upstream regulation and pollution have affected ecosystems.