Neva River

The Neva is the main river that shapes the overall layout of Saint Petersburg. Although it is one of the shortest rivers in Europe (its length is just 74 kilometers or 45 miles), it is a significant transportation route since it links Ladoga Lake and the Gulf of Finland. The river’s name comes from the Finnish word “neva,” which means “swamp.” Indeed, the bank of the Neva used to be primarily covered by swampy forests. However, with the foundation of Saint Petersburg, the swamps were drained and replaced by wide prospects and streets. The Neva is a deep and wide river. Its maximum depth is 24 meters (78 ft.), and the average width is measured around 400-600 meters (1312 – 1968 ft.), which makes the river suitable for navigation and port construction—the river forms about 100 islands.