Daugava

• Cities: Riga, Daugavpils, Vitebsk, Polotsk, Ogre, Jekabpils;
• Area of ​​the basin: 87,900 km²;
• Length: 1,020 km;
• Water consumption: 678 m³ / s;
• Estuary: Gulf of Riga;
• The source: the Valdai Upland;
• Bridges: Cable-stayed bridge, Riga railway bridge.

Daugava is not just a river flowing through the territory of Latvia , it is a real vital artery of a whole people. Long ago fishermen, artisans and farmers settled on the banks of the Daugava. On both banks powerful knights erected castles, and servants of God - temples.

To this day, like many hundreds of years ago, the Daugava participates in human life. On the river ships go, and river power is transformed into electricity. This pond at all times admired and inspired poets and painters, and now it attracts tourists from all countries with its picturesque views.

Daugava, river - description

The Daugava River is interesting not only for its beauty, but also for the fact that it flows through several countries:

1. The source of the river is in the Tver region on the Valdai Upland of Russia. Its length in Russia is 325 km.
2. Then it flows through Belarus at a distance of 327 km. Here and in Russia it bears the name of the Western Dvina.
3. In Latvia, the Daugava flows from the southeast to the northwest and has a length of 368 km. Her first populated Latvian place is Kraslava , the end point is Riga , and the mouth of the river is the Gulf of Riga .

The total length of the Daugava is 1020 km, the width of the valley is 6 km. The maximum width of the river near the bay is 1.5 km, the minimum width is 197 m in Latgale, and the depth of the Daugava is 0.5-9 m. Its main course lies on a plain with many low places. Because of this every spring, the Daugava is heavily flooded, flooding entire cities.

Attractions near Daugava

Daugava is amazing with its beauty and originality. On its entire length in Latvia there are many picturesque settlements and attractions, the most famous of which are the following:

1. In Latgale, in the region of Kraslava and up to Daugavpils , the river makes eight steep bends, which creates an indescribable beauty that can be seen from the hills and observation platforms of the national Daugava Izlučiny Nature Park.
2. Further, the river flows in the northern direction, on its left bank Ilukste shelter and another natural park - Poima Dviete. Each spring, this park is flooded for almost 24 km, but this does not stop him from receiving guests who came here to study rare birds and plants, or simply stroll through the picturesque valley, forests and meadows.
3. Then from the right bank, where the river Dubna flows into the River Daugava, stands the city of Lebanon . Then the river goes to the north-west. Approximately three dozen km, crossing the bridge over the river, is Jekabpils.
4. Another 17 km, where the Daugava again wriggles, there is Plavinas with its Plavinas reservoir. After 40 km from the city in Aizkraukle, the river is blocked by the Plavinas HPP.
5. Between Aizkraukle and Jaunjelgava, at the junction of two significant Latvian regions - Vidzeme and Zemgale, stretches a magnificent park - the Daugava Valley.
6. Further along the river there is another reservoir, called Keghumsky. After it on the right bank, a small town of Lielvarde is located . A few km further, the dam is again blocked by the dam - Kegums hydroelectric power station.
7. A few dozen kilometers from the hydroelectric power station, the Ogre River flows into the Daugava from the right bank, and the city of Ogre is in this delta. After the city, already at the Riga reservoir, Ikskile stands, and behind it is Salaspils . The reservoir rests on a huge dam - the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station. Here, on the river island of Dole, there is a natural park, in the past - a large fortress, on the territory of which there is a museum of the history of the Daugava.

Daugava, Riga

On the river there is also the capital of Latvia - Riga . It is located on both banks of the Daugava, and threw across the river four wide bridges, along which cars drive. Also the river in Riga Daugava assumes, that through it it is possible to be transported and on a railway transportation.

From the Andrejsala peninsula that is in the Old Riga , the Riga port begins, which ends already in the Gulf of Riga .

Every year along Daugava, sportsmen from all corners of the world are rafted on boats and kayaks. On pleasure yachts, river trams and motor ships people enjoy the views of this picturesque river. The silence and tranquility of these places will be conquered at first sight and forever will remain in the heart of the traveler.