Oka is one of the largest tributaries of the Volga. Where is the source of the river? Oka and its main attractions

Oka is one of the most important rivers in the European part of Russia. A number of cities grew on its banks. Where and how does it flow? Where does it flow, and where is the source of the river?

Oka is the largest tributary of the Volga. Its "race" in fifteen hundred kilometers the river begins in the Orel region, and ends - in Nizhny Novgorod.

Oka River : the source and the mouth. Flow pattern

The exact length of the watercourse is 1498.6 kilometers. The total area of the basin is 245 thousand square meters. Km. The Oka slope is small: only 0.1 m / km, which fully corresponds to the orographic conditions in which it flows. Where is the source of the river?

Oka originates on the outskirts of a small village of Alexandrovka, located within the Glazunovsky district of Orlovschiny. Several artificial ponds have been created on the territory of the same village on the Oka. 52 ° 21 '45 "N And 36 ° 13 '20 "E. - here are the exact coordinates of the point where the source of the river is located. Oka on the map looks like this (the source and the mouth of the watercourse are indicated on the diagram in blue and red circles respectively):

In the upper course of the Oka, as if a fastidious young lady, changes direction of her run more than once. Then it runs to the north, then to the east, then again - to the north. Taking the waters of Moscow's Moscow River, Oka turns to the southeast.

In the hilly Ryazan region, the river begins to noticeably loop. Near the city of Kasimov, the Oka makes a deep loop, merges with Moksha and further flows strictly in the northern direction until its mouth. The river ends its long way in the ancient and beautiful Nizhny Novgorod. The cape at the confluence of the Oka with the Volga is called the Arrow. This part of the city is adorned by the majestic temple of Alexander Nevsky in height of 87 meters.

The name of the river and its meaning

We have already figured out what the length of the Oka is, where it flows, and where the source of the river lies. Oka - the watercourse is not only large, but also very interesting. And, first of all, the origin of the name of this river is curious.

One version links Oka's name with Latin aqua, which means "water". Other researchers consider the origin of this hydronymus as Mari or Baltic. The latest theory, in particular, is supported by the well-known linguist and philologist Vladimir Toporov. For example, in the Latvian language there is the word aka ("well"), and in Lithuanian - the word akis, which translates as "eye" or "hole". That is remarkable, both in Latvia, and in Lithuania there is a variety of hydronyms with such root.

Cities, bridges and landmarks on the Oka River

The Oka River flows through the territory of seven Russian regions. It has large cities - Orel, Kaluga, Serpukhov, Kolomna, Ryazan, Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod and others. On the banks of the Oka there are several famous sights. Among them - the ancient Russian city of Old Ryazan XII century, the estate Polenovo, Nizhny Novgorod and Ryazan Kremlin.

Opposite shores of Oka in total connects 31 bridges. The most remarkable and most beautiful of them are the Red Bridge in Orel, the cable-stayed Murom and Kashirsky railway bridges, the Canavinsky bridge in Nizhny Novgorod.

The most unusual structure on the Oka can be considered Shukhov Tower near the city of Dzerzhinsk. This hyperboloid iron construction was built in 1929 by the famous engineer Vladimir Shukhov. The height of the tower is 128 meters.

The beginning of the Oka River is also a popular and visited tourist attraction. The source in the village of Alexandrovka is recognized as a natural monument. It is from this that the river flows. Nearby there is a modest wooden chapel, and the area around the source is decorated with numerous carved sculptures. This place is liked to visit bioenergetics and creative natures, considering it a powerful "place of power".

Finally…

Now you know where the source of the river is. Oka is the largest watercourse in the European part of Russia. On the banks of this river are such cities as Orel, Kaluga, Murom, Ryazan and Nizhny Novgorod. Making a water trip along the Oka, you can admire the domes of the churches of the Ryazan Kremlin, contemplate the beautifully inscribed in the slope of the river valley Nizhny Novgorod Annunciation Monastery or see the futuristic Shukhov Tower.