neva

Neva is a river in northwestern Russia, the outflow of Lake Ladoga to the Baltic Sea and one of Saint Petersburg’s principal waterways. The river flows about 120 kilometers (75 miles) westward from Lake Ladoga, passing through Saint Petersburg before discharging into the Gulf of Finland. In the city it is divided into channels and embankments that create a network of islands and bridges, with Neva Bay forming the river’s estuary near the sea.

The name Neva appears in historical sources dating to the 13th century, but its linguistic origin remains uncertain.

Historically, the Neva valley has been inhabited for centuries and was the site chosen by Tsar Peter the Great for the new city of Saint Petersburg in 1703. The river’s course and its port facilities have greatly influenced Russian seafaring, commerce, and urban design. The embankments along the Neva are associated with Petersburg’s Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, contributing to the Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today the Neva remains a vital navigation artery, a focal point of tourism and culture, and a symbolic feature of Saint Petersburg’s identity, hosting ceremonial events and providing a setting for the city’s famous white nights.

Outside geography, Neva is also used as a personal name in some languages.