- Vltava
-
This article is about a river in the Czech Republic. For the symphonic poem, see Má vlast.
Vltava River 
The Vltava's bend in PragueCountry Czech Republic Regions South Bohemia, Central Bohemia Tributaries - left Otava River, Berounka - right Lužnice, Sázava River Cities Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, Prague Source Černý potok - location Černá hora, Šumava - elevation 1,172 m (3,845 ft) - coordinates 48°58′29″N 13°33′39″E / 48.97472°N 13.56083°E Mouth Elbe - location Mělník - elevation 155 m (509 ft) - coordinates 50°20′29″N 14°28′30″E / 50.34139°N 14.475°E Length 430 km (267 mi) Basin 28,090 km2 (10,846 sq mi) Discharge - average 149.9 m3/s (5,294 cu ft/s) 
The course and drainage basin of the Vltava from its source to its confluence with the Elbe (magenta)Wikimedia Commons: Vltava The Vltava (
listen (help·info); German: Moldau) is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník. It is 430 km long and drains about 28,090 km2; at their confluence the Vltava actually has more water than the Elbe, but joins the Elbe at a right angle to its flow so that it appears a mere tributary. The river is crossed by 18 bridges and runs through Prague over 31 km.[1] Several dams were built on it in the 1950s, the biggest being Lipno Dam in Šumava.In August 2002 a flood of the Vltava killed several people and caused massive damage and disruption along its length.
The best-known of the classical Czech composer Bedřich Smetana's set of six symphonic poems Má vlast ("My Motherland") is called Vltava (or The Moldau), and is a musical depiction of the river's course through Bohemia.
Contents
Physical description
The height difference from source to mouth is about 1016 m and the largest stream at the source is named Černý Potok (Black Brook).
Etymology
Both the Czech name Vltava and the German name Moldau are believed to originate from the old Germanic words *wilt ahwa[citation needed] ("wild water") (cf. Latin aqua).
Honors
A minor planet 2123 Vltava discovered in 1973 by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh is named after the river.[2]
References
- ^ Source : Avantgarde Prague
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (5th ed.). New York: Springer Verlag. p. 172. ISBN 3-540-00238-3. http://books.google.com/books?q=2123+Vltava+1973. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
Categories:- Vltava basin
- Rivers of the Central Bohemian Region
- Rivers of the South Bohemian Region
- Geography of Prague
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
