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Argeș (river) facts for kids

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Argeș
Arges.Mihailesti-Cornetu.jpg
The Argeș in Mihăilești-Cornetu
Raul Arges.png
The Argeș in Romania
Country Romania
Counties Argeș, Dâmbovița, Ilfov, Giurgiu, Călărași
Cities Curtea de Argeș, Pitești, Oltenița
Physical characteristics
Main source Făgăraș Mountains
Arefu
2,030 m (6,660 ft)
45°36′04″N 24°37′30″E / 45.601°N 24.625°E / 45.601; 24.625
River mouth Danube
Oltenița
11 m (36 ft)
44°3′33″N 26°37′1″E / 44.05917°N 26.61694°E / 44.05917; 26.61694
Length 350 km (220 mi)
Basin features
Progression DanubeBlack Sea
Basin size 12,550 km2 (4,850 sq mi)
Tributaries
  • Left:
    Vâlsan, Râul Doamnei, Dâmbovița
  • Right:
    Neajlov

The Argeș (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈardʒeʃ]) is an important river in Southern Romania. It flows into the Danube river, which is one of Europe's longest rivers. The Argeș is about 350 kilometers (217 miles) long. Its basin area, which is the land that drains water into the river, covers about 12,550 square kilometers (4,846 square miles).

The river starts high up in the Făgăraș Mountains. These mountains are part of the Southern Carpathians. The Argeș then flows southeast until it joins the Danube near the city of Oltenița. On average, about 71 cubic meters (2,500 cubic feet) of water flow from the Argeș into the Danube every second.

The biggest city located along the Argeș River is Pitești. Higher up the river, there's a large structure called the Vidraru Dam. This dam creates a big artificial lake known as Lake Vidraru. The very top part of the river, before it reaches Lake Vidraru, is also called Capra.

River's Name and History

What Does Argeș Mean?

Historians believe the Argeș River might be the same river that an ancient Greek historian named Herodotus called Ὀρδησσός (Ordessus). The exact meaning of the name "Argeș" isn't fully clear.

Some people think the name comes from the ancient name, possibly through a word like *Argessis. There was also an ancient city called Argedava, which was the capital of a Dacian leader named Burebista. However, it seems this city's name is not connected to the river's name.

Another Idea for the Name

Another idea is that the name "Argeș" comes from a Pecheneg word. The Pechenegs were a group of people who lived in the area long ago. Their word argiș meant "higher ground."

The city of Curtea de Argeș means "The Court on the Argeș." Early records of this city's name, like Argyas (from 1369), Argies (from 1379), and Arghiș (from 1427), suggest that the river might have been named after the city.

Towns Along the Argeș River

Many towns and villages are located along the Argeș River, from its source in the mountains all the way to where it meets the Danube. These places include:

  • Căpățânenii Ungureni
  • Căpățânenii Pământeni
  • Arefu
  • Poienarii de Argeș
  • Corbeni
  • Rotunda
  • Albeștii de Argeș
  • Curtea de Argeș
  • Băiculești
  • Merișani
  • Bascov
  • Pitești
  • Găești
  • Bolintin-Deal
  • Adunații-Copăceni
  • Oltenița

Using the River for Energy

Hydroelectric Power

The Argeș River and some of its smaller rivers (tributaries) are used to create hydro energy. This is a way to make electricity using the power of flowing water.

The system that generates this energy includes:

  • Dams: These are large barriers built across the river to hold back water.
  • Lakes: The dams create artificial lakes, also called reservoirs.
  • Tunnels: Water flows through tunnels to reach power plants.
  • Power Plants: These facilities use the force of the water to spin turbines and generate electricity.

Lakes on the Argeș

Several lakes have been built on the Argeș River itself. These include:

  • Vidraru
  • Oiești
  • Cerbureni
  • Curtea de Argeș
  • Zigoneni
  • Merișani
  • Budeasa
  • Bascov
  • Pitești
  • Călinești (also known as Golești)
  • Zăvoiu (near Mătăsaru)
  • Ogrezeni
  • Mihăilești

Dams and lakes are also built on the smaller rivers that flow into the Argeș.

Rivers Joining the Argeș

Many smaller rivers flow into the Argeș River. These are called tributaries. They are listed below, from the source of the Argeș to its mouth:

Left Tributaries

These rivers join the Argeș from its left side (if you are looking downstream):

  • Braia
  • Mândra
  • Buda
  • Valea cu Pești
  • Valea Lupului
  • Berindești
  • Valea Iașului
  • Sasu
  • Vâlsan
  • Râul Doamnei
  • Vrănești
  • Râncăciov
  • Cârcinov
  • Budișteanca
  • Sabar
  • Dâmbovița
  • Rasa
  • Luica

Right Tributaries

These rivers join the Argeș from its right side (if you are looking downstream):

  • Paltinul
  • Lespezi
  • Modrugaz
  • Cumpăna
  • Valea lui Stan
  • Arefu
  • Bănești (Cicănești)
  • Valea Danului
  • Tutana
  • Schiau
  • Bascov
  • Neajlov

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Río Argeș para niños

  • List of longest rivers of Romania
  • Battle of the Argeș
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