List of rivers of Estonia facts for kids
Did you know that Estonia has many rivers? Most of them are not very long and don't carry a huge amount of water. Only about 10 rivers in Estonia are longer than 100 kilometers (about 62 miles).
The biggest river in Estonia is the Narva River. Even though it's only 77 kilometers long, it carries more water than all the other Estonian rivers put together! The Narva River also forms part of the border between Estonia and Russia.
Estonia's Longest Rivers
Estonia might not have super long rivers like the Amazon or the Nile, but it has some important ones! Here's a list of the ten longest rivers in Estonia. They are measured by their length in kilometers and the size of their basin. A river's basin is the area of land where all the rain and snow eventually drain into that river.
| # | Name | Length (km) | Basin (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Võhandu | 162 | 1,420 |
| 2. | Pärnu | 144 | 6,920 |
| 3. | Põltsamaa | 135 | 1,310 |
| 4. | Pedja | 122 | 2,710 |
| 5. | Keila | 116 | 682 |
| 6. | Kasari | 112 | 3,210 |
| 7. | Piusa | 109 | 796 |
| 8. | Pirita | 105 | 799 |
| 9. | Emajõgi | 101 | 9,740 |
| 10. | Navesti | 100 | 3,000 |
Other Notable Rivers
Besides the longest rivers, Estonia has many other rivers and streams. Some of them are well-known for their natural beauty or for flowing through important towns and areas. Here are a few examples:
- Ahja River: This river is 103.4 km long and is known for its beautiful sandstone cliffs and caves. It's a popular spot for canoeing!
- Jägala River: This river is famous for the Jägala Waterfall, which is one of the largest natural waterfalls in Estonia.
- Kunda River: This river flows into the Gulf of Finland and has been important for local industry.
- Soodla River: This river is part of the Soodla Reservoir, which is an important source of drinking water for the capital city, Tallinn.
- Vääna River: This river flows through Harju County and is known for its scenic surroundings.
Many other smaller rivers and streams crisscross the Estonian landscape, contributing to its rich nature and providing homes for various plants and animals.
