Volga-Don Canal

The Volga-Don Canal is a vital waterway in Russia that connects the Volga River, Europe’s longest river, to the Don River, which flows into the Sea of Azov. Built between 1950 and 1952, it allows ships and boats to travel between the Caspian Sea basin and the Black Sea region without navigating around the entire Caucasus mountains. The canal is about 100 kilometers long, includes several locks to lift and lower vessels, and plays a crucial role in transportation, trade, and regional connectivity, facilitating the movement of goods and enhancing economic integration between different parts of Russia and neighboring countries.