Volga Delta

The Volga Delta is the largest river delta in Europe and occurs where Europe's largest river system, the Volga River drains into the Caspian Sea in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, north-east of the republic of Kalmykia. The delta is located in the Caspian Depression—the far eastern part of the delta lies in Kazakhstan. The delta drains into the Caspian approximately 60 km (37 mi) downstream from the city of Astrakhan.

The Volga delta has grown significantly in the 20th century because of changes in the level of the Caspian Sea. In 1880, the delta had an area of 3,222 km² (1,244 sq mi). Today the Volga Delta covers an area of 27,224 km² (10,511 sq mi) and is approximately 160 km (100 mi) across. It has a classical "delta pattern". The delta lies in the arid climate zone, characterized by very little rainfall. The region receives less than one inch of rainfall in January and in July in normal years. Strong winds often sweep across the delta and form linear dunes. Along the front of the delta, one will find muddy sand shoals, mudflats, and coquina banks.