Welcome to Russian history, Nitov, episode 284 of the Volga.

Last time, we discussed the role of sport in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Today we go on to a completely different subject, the history of the Volga river and its meaning to Russia.

Aside from my extensive library, the primary source of information for this series of episodes is the book The Volga,

a history of Russia's greatest river by Janet M. Hartley, published in 2021.

It is an absolute treasure trove of information about the mighty Volga.

I'd like to start by reading an excerpt from an 1839 book, Excursions in the Interior of Russia by Robert Bremer.

Quote, the Volga, there is a mystery, a charm, and all mighty rivers, which has ever made us gaze upon them,

with an interest beyond that inspired by other great and glorious sights.

But to look on the largest of the European rivers, the king of our fair tides and off-sung streams,

gave a thrill of joy surpassing all former pleasures of the kind.

Those who know that first glimpse of some great object which we have read or dreamt of from earliest recollection

is ever a moment of intense enjoyment.

We'll forgive the foolish transport that is felt while first standing on that commanding height

and devouring the majestic stream that rolls in such gloomy grander below.

Before we get into the river's history, let's discuss its dimensions and other important facts.

The Volga, as we just stated, is the longest river in Europe at 3,500 kilometers or almost 2,200 miles long.

It begins to the northwest of Tviar, flowing through that city as well as going through Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan,

Ljanovsk, Saratov, Volgagrad, and Austerhan before emptying into the Caspian Sea.

Within its drainage basin, five of the ten largest cities in Russia lie, including Moscow.

Some of the world's largest reservoirs are located near the Volga.

It belongs to the closed basin of the Caspian Sea, being the longest river to flow into a closed basin and not into the ocean.

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