Oka (river) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oka |
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The Oka riverbank in Nizhny Novgorod
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Map of the Volga watershed with the Oka highlighted
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| Native name | Ока́ |
| Country | Russia |
| Cities | Oryol, Kaluga, Serpukhov, Kolomna, Ryazan, Murom, Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Oryol Oblast 226 m (741 ft) 52°21′45″N 36°13′20″E / 52.36250°N 36.22222°E |
| River mouth | Volga Nizhny Novgorod 67 m (220 ft) 56°19′55″N 43°58′53″E / 56.33194°N 43.98139°E |
| Length | 1,500 km (930 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 245,000 km2 (95,000 sq mi) |
The Oka River (pronounced "Oh-KAH") is a very important river in Russia. It is one of the longest rivers in Europe. The Oka flows into the mighty Volga River, which is the longest river on the continent.
The famous Moskva River, which runs through the capital city of Moscow, is a major branch of the Oka. The Oka River itself is about 1,500 km (930 mi) long. That's like driving from New York City to Miami!
Contents
Where Does the Oka River Flow?
The Oka River starts in the Oryol Oblast region of Russia. It begins as a small stream. From there, it flows north through several different areas.
The river then turns east and travels through many cities. It finally joins the Volga River in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. This meeting point is a very famous landmark.
Key Cities Along the Oka
Many important cities are located along the Oka River. These cities have grown because of the river. The river helps with transportation and trade.
Some of the main cities include:
- Oryol: Where the river begins its journey.
- Kaluga: A historic city with beautiful views of the river.
- Serpukhov: Known for its ancient monasteries.
- Kolomna: Where the Moskva River joins the Oka.
- Ryazan: An old city with a rich history.
- Murom: Famous for its old churches and traditions.
- Dzerzhinsk: An industrial city.
- Nizhny Novgorod: Where the Oka meets the Volga.
The Oka's Importance
The Oka River is very important for many reasons. It helps people travel and move goods. Boats and ships use the river for transportation.
The river also provides water for farming. It supports many plants and animals. The area around the Oka is home to different types of wildlife.
River Features
The Oka River has a large drainage basin. This means it collects water from a huge area. Its basin covers about 245,000 km2 (95,000 sq mi). That's bigger than the entire country of the United Kingdom!
The river's average water flow is about 1,260 m3/s (44,000 cu ft/s). This is a lot of water moving every second. The river helps shape the landscape as it flows.
Images for kids
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View to Molitovsky bridge from bank of Oka river. July 2014
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The Oka in Ryazan Oblast, near Rybnoye
See also
In Spanish: Río Oká para niños
