Dvina (river, Russia, Belarus, and Latvia)

Dvina or Western Dvina, Ger. Düna, Latvian Daugava, Rus. Zapadnaya Dvina, river, c.635 mi (1,020 km) long, in Russia, Belarus, and Latvia. Rising in the Valdai Hills, it flows S and then generally W past Velizh and through Belarus, past Vitebsk and Polotsk, and through Latvia, past Daugavpils and Riga, into the Gulf of Riga, an arm of the Baltic Sea. It is navigable in its upper course, but, because of rapids and hydroelectric dams, is only partly navigable in its lower course. The Dvina's main port is Riga, and the river is connected by canal with the Berezina and the Dnieper rivers.

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Dvina (river, Russia, Belarus, and Latvia). Encyclopedia title: The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. © 2012 The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. Used with the permission of Columbia University Press. All Rights Reserved. Publisher: The Columbia University Press. Place of publication: Not available. Publication year: 2013.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.