Berezina (river): description and history. The river Berezina on the map

Berezina is a river, which is known not only to the Russian people. It is listed in the chronology of the French battles, and this country will remember it as long as they remember the commander of Napoleon. But the history of this river is connected with other events and military actions.

Belorussian Berezina River: description

This is the longest river in Belarus, its length is 613 km, and the total area of the entire basin is 24,500 km ² . Berezina is the right tributary of the Dnieper. It originates in the Vitebsk region in a marshy area near the town of Dokshitsa and flows southwards. Flowing along the Central Blackberry plain, it reaches the Gomel region and near the village of Beregovaya Sloboda flows into the Dnieper.

On the south-eastern slope of the Belorussian ridge is the river basin, which is also considered a watershed of the Baltic and Black Seas. From the eastern and western sides it intersects with the basins of the rivers Pripyat, Druti and Ptichi. From the north, the Western Dvina river basin ends and the Berezina River continues. On the map you can see that it has a beautiful, winding track. The depth of the river on the reaches can reach up to 7 meters, but on average it varies from 1.5 to 3 meters. Throughout the stream, the channel narrows, then extends from 100 to 300 meters.

The banks of the river are steep - 1-2 meters, but sometimes their height can reach up to 15 meters. Mostly on the slopes are forests. The height of the right bank is usually higher than the left bank. The Berezina River (photo shown in the article) is navigable, but only on a small stretch, about 500 km.

Why is the river called "Berezina"

Many believe that the name came from the simple Russian word birch. But some people have this doubt, because if you take into account the suffixes, the derived name of this word would sound more like Berezovka, Berezovaya, etc. Therefore, there is a possibility that the name of the river came to us from another language, although this also means a white-clad tree. For example, in the Baltic-Lithuanian language, "birch" sounds like "berzinis".

But there are those who propose the version that the word "Berezina" is associated with the Balto-Slavic root meaning "fast" (Lithuanian: "Burzdus", Proto-Slavic: "birz"), and in Russian this combination sounds like "greyhound".

Settlements

Along the river bed are such famous cities as Borisov, Berezino, Bobruisk and Svetlogorsk. There are also several villages. It is interesting that Berezino is located in the heart of the country and earlier this place was a staging point on the river trade route. Gradually, this shopping center with the settlement grew. So the Berezina River in Berezino played a key role in the emergence of this city.

Terrain of the river

After the city of Borisov, the armhole of the river gradually turns into overgrown, boggy terrain. There are rare species of birds, wild animals have found their home. On this territory there are many bears and bison. After the Berezinsky Reserve, vegetation on the river is reduced and remains only along the coast.

Tourism on the river

Berezina is a river that has become popular with many travelers. In a warm time, vacationers regularly cope with kayaks, canoes, kayaks, catamarans and other means. If you swim along the river, you can admire the nature of the various game reserves and the biosphere reserve. On the banks of the Berezina, tourist parking is organized. Also you can drive to the river on your car.

Fishing in the Berezina

There are a lot of fish in the river. Here are found: tench, pike, roach, bream, perch and crucian carp. Also here live valuable species: chub, burbot, podost, trout, pike perch, catfish and pest. You can catch in different places, because the river is filled with fish. If it happens that the biting does not go, you need to experiment with gear, profit or place. Sometimes it happens that two fishermen are caught next to one bait, one goes one by one, and the second one is not lucky, he does not even get caught. If this happens to you, try to find your place and depth.

Mark on history

Among the locals there is a legend about the river Berezina. They tell us that an important battle took place on these banks, and the French army, led by Napoleon, was defeated. Today, many people know the echoes of this story. But only some know that Berezina is a river of many historical battles. So, in 1709, King Charles XII of Sweden transferred his army across the river and was defeated near Poltava. Also in 1920 the front line of the Soviet-Polish war fell precisely on Berezina. And in 1944, when the Patriotic War was on, this river managed to break one of the main German groups.

Despite the fact that in history there have been many battles on the Berezina, the most famous is the defeat of Napoleon.

War with the French

The events unfolded during the Patriotic War in 1812. Napoleon after the Battle of Red retreated with his army to the West. Kutuzov and his soldiers were significantly behind. But the calculation was that Napoleon would be blocked by the path of Admiral Chichagin with an army of 25,000 soldiers who would follow from the south. And from the north to the French came the experienced Wittgenstein with an army of 35,000.

Beginning on November 16, Chichagov could already monitor all possible crossings. Under the plan of the Russian command, it is on the Berezina that the French army, along with its emperor, must be defeated. By this time, Napoleon was in a desperate situation, as he was crowded from all sides, and approached the river Berezina. At that time, he had up to 40,000 soldiers capable of war. Approximately the same number was wounded or unarmed. The army of the French was exhausted.

Napoleon demonstrated to Chichagin that he was preparing to send an army from the south side of the city of Borisov. The Russian admiral began to lead his army to the alleged point of crossing. At this time, Napoleon built bridges near the village of Studenki, which was located from the north of Borisov.

The river was so cold that ice floes swept along it. Hanging around the neck in the water, the French built a ferry for hours. Many died from the cold. November 26, the army began crossing. Russian general Chaplitsa with his small detachment tried to prevent, firing bridges from two guns. He could not come near, because the French were defending themselves. So the army of Napoleon was transported almost without interference.

On the second day, when the French drove back the detachment of Chaplitz, the forces of Wittgensten fought near Borisov. One of the French divisions surrendered.

Only on November 28 Chichagov intervened in the battle on the Berezina River. By this time, the bulk of the French army was able to cross and actively defended. The remaining Napoleonic tried to get to that shore, hundreds of them died from shelling.

On November 29, Wittgenstein was able to throw all his forces to the main battleground. The remnants of Napoleon's army and convoys could not cross, as the bridges were burned. The French army has lost more than 20 thousand soldiers. But those who simply followed Napoleon were also wounded - wounded and civilians (among them women and children). They died not only from bullets, many froze in the river or drowned.

The losses of the Russian army were almost four times less, but in spite of this, the battle was considered unsuccessful. Napoleon, who was trapped, was able to escape and save part of the troops and take him to Vilna, today Vilnius. The reason for this was Chichagin.

Both armies attributed a moral victory. So it was, in fact, the Russians won, but the French came out tactically victorious. Averchenko aptly remarked: "Napoleon suffered a victory."

Berezina and the French

As a result of that fatal battle, the French had a new concept of "birch". The river, or rather its name has become a household name and is used as a "tragedy", "disaster" or "catastrophe".

What became of the army of Napoleon? It is interesting that before this defeat the French army was considered Great. But now from that moment it practically ceased to exist. Although Napoleon continued his military campaigns, now his army was ordinary, not so intimidating. Since then, she has suffered great defeats and setbacks.