Oka River: the source and the mouth

Oka is the largest tributary of the Volga and one of the most important natural watercourses in the European part of Russia. The source of this river is located within the Orel region, and the mouth - in the glorious Nizhny Novgorod. Would you like to know more interesting information about this river? Then read our article!

Oka River: the source and the mouth

Oka crosses the territory of seven regions of Russia. This is the most important transport artery of the country, on which a number of large and well-known cities are located: Orel, Kaluga, Ryazan, Kolomna, Nizhny Novgorod and others. Where does Oka begin?

The source of the river is located within the Central Russian Upland, at an altitude of 275 meters above sea level. The exact geographical coordinates of this point are the following: 52 ° 21 '45 "N and 36 ° 13' 20" E. The source of the Oka River, today, is a monument of nature of local significance. Often it is visited by tourists, local lore and travelers.

Where is the source of Oka administratively? The beginning of the river is located in the Orel region, near the small village of Alexandrovka (Glazunovsky district). But her long journey ends in Nizhny Novgorod, where she falls into the famous Volga.

How long is Oka? The source and mouth of this river are divided, no less, almost one and a half thousand kilometers. The total area of the Oka catchment area is also quite large: 245 thousand square meters. Km. To better understand where the source of the Oka River and its mouth lies, it is enough to look at the map. The points of the beginning and end of the watercourse are marked on it by blue circles.

Nature of the river

The oka, the source of which is a chain of small ponds, flows very smoothly in the upper streams, while changing its direction several times. At first, it is heading north, then east. After some time, the river again turns in the north direction. Approximately half of its river route Oka takes over the waters of the Moscow River along with a solid plume of the city's pollution.

In the Ryazan region, the river begins to loop noticeably, skirting the low and gentle hills of this area. The most expressive loop of Oka is near Kasimov. After it the river, at last, is leveled and flows strictly to the north, down to the mouth. His long and difficult path Oka ends in Nizhny Novgorod. The locals called the place of the confluence of the river with the Volga the Strelka.

The shores of the Oka are connected, in total, by the 31st bridge. The most beautiful and expressive ones are in Orel, Kashira and Murom.

Does the Oka fall into the Volga or vice versa?

An interesting question, which does not give rest to many geographers and naturalists: who goes into whom? Which of the rivers is more important - the Oka or the Volga? Let's try to answer this question.

It is officially believed that Oka flows into the Volga, and not the other way around. But there is one big "but"! According to the canons of hydrological science, the main river is that watercourse, which until the moment of confluence has a large extent. And in our particular case, the Oka to the so-called Nizhny Novgorod Arrow is 185 kilometers longer than the Volga.

Thus, in fairness, it is Oka who must communicate its waters to the Caspian Sea, and not the Volga, as it is written in all modern geography textbooks. Why is it considered to be different?

It's all about historical symbolism. After all, the Volga has long been considered a sacred symbol of the Russian people, a source of its strength and inspiration. Therefore, scientists at one time simply did not rise up to call this river just an ordinary tributary of the Oka. That's the whole explanation!

Fishing and rest on the river Oka

On the banks of the river there are quite a few reserves, tourist bases and campsites, where you can perfectly relax and replenish your personal life-force supply. The Oka valley is incredibly picturesque: here you can often find fragrant pine forests and birch groves, where it is so nice and useful to walk with young children! In addition, there is something very dear and close to the soul of a true Russian person in this river.

On the stretch of the river between the villages of Luzhki and Zibrovo there is a unique corner of the relict nature. Here botanists counted at least 50 species of typically southern plants. Among them - fescue, feather grass, tonkonog, tulip Shrenka. A real steppe oasis among the pine forest! This place is very popular among fans of "green" and ecological tourism.

They love Oka and the fishermen. According to their estimates, the best places for fishing on this river are near the village of Skniga. Here there are several sandbanks and rifts. On this part of the river, roach, bream, perch, and pike perch are excellent. But to catch a fishing rod is a royal fish - pike, the easiest thing in the vicinity of Serpukhov.

What does the source of the Oka River look like today?

A simple spring on the outskirts of the village of Alexandrovka is a real tourist pearl of the whole Orel region. Still would! After all, this is the source of the Oka - the largest tributary of the Volga.

Today it is beautiful, well-groomed and very cozy. Near the beginning of the river there is a commemorative stele with an information sign and a small chapel. The whole territory is decorated with small architectural forms and quaint wooden sculptures.

To put in order the source of Oka began in the 80's. The official status of the natural monument was given to this place only in 1996. A little later the source was consecrated by Archbishop Paisii.

Today, thousands of tourists visit this iconic site annually. People come here to taste the holy water, or just relax in a beautiful, picturesque place. Traditionally, the newlyweds come here too.

The Oka is the object of tourism and the place of power

The source of the Oka is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Orel region. But not only tourists come here. Bioenergetics argue that this is a fairly powerful and beneficial place of power. Therefore, here you can often meet poets, artists, mediums and various creative natures. It is here that they feed themselves on positive energy.

How to get to the source of the river? From the nearest large city, the Eagle, you should go on the Livenskaya highway. Near the former Zmiev post, the DPS must be turned to the right (under the signpost to Maloarkhangelsk) and to reach Glazunovka. At the main intersection of the village (near the gas station) should be re-rolled. After a few hundred meters, at the railway crossing, you will see a corresponding index on the source of the river. After driving about twenty kilometers, you will find yourself in Alexandrovka.

Near the source of the Oka there is parking where you can park your car for a walk and rest. Do not rush to leave this amazing place - feel its powerful energy and let it through.

Finally

Now you know where the source of the Oka River lies. It is there that one of the largest rivers in the European part of Russia begins with a length of almost 1500 kilometers. It originates in Orlovshchina from a small fontanel, crosses six more regions of the country and flows into the Volga in the territory of Nizhny Novgorod.