Since ancient times, people used the waterways for their own needs, for the realization of certain goals.In ancient Egypt, this is a fertile river Nile and shipping.No exception, but rather a prime example - human use of the river Volga.Here, you can say, Russia is very lucky.It's no wonder this is called the Great River.It is the largest and among the abounding not only in the Russian Plain, but also in Europe.
Mother Volga
So it is affectionately called Slavs.Its length is estimated on the date for more than three and a half thousand kilometers.A catchment area - more than a million square kilometers.From Valdai to the Urals, Volga occupies a huge area.Not surprisingly, the human use of the river Volga, began in ancient times.A built cities such as Kazan, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara - achieved by the number of inhabitants of a million.Of course, the water channel has a huge impact on the culture, economy and social life of these cities.
Fisheries
Volga - a nurse.And there was such at all times of human existence.Probably the original human use of the Volga River began with nutrition.Even now, at such a difficult time for the environment, the river is home to over seventy species of fish, forty of which are or have been in the recent past by fishing.Among them: roach, perch, bream, pike, carp, catfish.Sturgeon and sturgeon, virtually extinct in recent years.Since ancient times people did not miss the slightest opportunity to stock up on those - virtually free - resources.As a result of overuse of these resources - water pollution, and the extinction of some species of fish.The situation in practice, take the form of an environmental catastrophe, which leads to the depletion of fish stocks (according to experts, the river in this regard impoverished almost ten times).
transport arteries
Human uses the Volga River for transport purposes is also one of the oldest methods.The bed and tributaries have long been navigable.And the Volga trade route arises even in the 8th century!First on leaky boats, then on powerful steamer and bulk carriers - people have long transported the raw materials intended for trading purposes.Also in communication, including mail, between different regions.Forest, fish, coal, timber, oil and oil products, and many more are transported by water from one point of the country to another, from one state to another.Interestingly, according to estimates economists, about half of all freight water falls on its basin.In this regard, the use of the Volga River man indisputable and is not subject to revaluation.It is of fundamental importance for the development of the whole country of Russia.
Big Volga Shipping
done for most of the river.The exceptions are the first two hundred kilometers.It became possible thanks to the project "Big Volga", come to life in the 20th century.It was built (from 1932 till 1982 minutes) Powerful hydraulic structures.In-depth channel.Built reservoir.Water expanses contacted channels, which gave access to the seas.The result is a powerful, has no analogues in the world water transport network, making use of the Volga River in the most convenient person.Of course, this would violate the natural ecology of the vast land.Some areas were flooded, and people evicted.Some experts, environmentalists say the project detrimental to the Great River, and across its environment - flora and fauna dependent on the Volga.The implementation of this enterprise proved fatal for some species of plants and animals.Surely, in this there is a certain negative impact.But in general, for a person positioned as a "master of nature" for the development of humanity as a community of the value of the "Big Volga" can not be overestimated.
Volga River in human economic activity
And are built on the river eleven power plants, using water resources.This cascade was conceived back in the 30s and later quite successfully implemented.They were involved huge human and material resources.Sometimes these projects are also run counter to the preservation of ecology and natural environment.There were also inundated entire villages and cities.But the result has been achieved: now on the Volga hydroelectric power plants produced more than thirty billion kilowatt per hour.Moreover, the production of energy by means of water is considered to be five times cheaper than the TPP, for example.In addition, it saves huge amounts of coal and petroleum products.
The unique world built hydraulics effectively involved in the irrigation of arid but fertile areas of the Volga region, the middle and lower.Without irrigation it would be impossible to collect huge crops on these lands, and they would simply empty.Irrigation additionally shows how the Volga River.Using these soils without it would be impossible.
resources of the widely used and modern industrial facilities, abundant built on the banks.Many chemical, machine building, mining companies.All of them might not be fully and scale to produce products without Volga water.
Tourism
Recently Volga actively used as a tourist destination.On river routes exist for the time being more than a tourist line.As a rule, travel performed on modern ships or passenger ships, quite comfortable.And similar cruises down the Volga are becoming very popular among Russians and foreigners.A traveling slowly, you can see firsthand how great Mother Russia and Mother Volga.
use of the Volga River man
briefly in conclusion we can say that the greatest river had and continues to have an undeniable impact on the fate of the Russian people as a whole and on each citizen of Russia in particular.Only need to pay more attention to water treatment, pollution prevention pool, and this can not but agree with many scientists and ecologists.
