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Ussuri

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The Ussuri is a significant river located in Northeast Asia. It flows through the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krais in Russia. The river also travels through the Heilongjiang province in Northeast China. It serves as a major waterway within the region.

Река Уссури у посёлка Горные Ключи
Река Уссури у посёлка Горные Ключи

The Ussuri is a vital part of the local geography. It helps define the landscape of these two large nations.

This river begins its journey in the Sikhote-Alin mountain range. From there, it flows toward the north. The river eventually meets the Amur river as a tributary. This meeting happens near the city of Khabarovsk. The Ussuri drains a massive area called the Ussuri basin. This basin covers a very large amount of land. The river's path is shaped by the terrain of the mountains and the plains.

Water enters the Ussuri through several different processes. Rain is the primary source of its water. Rain accounts for 60% of the total water volume. Snow provides another 30% to 35% of the water. Some water also enters the river from subterranean springs. These are natural springs located under the ground. The average discharge of the river is 1,100 cubic meters per second. The average elevation of the river is 150 meters above sea level.

Many different names have been used for this river throughout history. The name Ussuri is Manchu for "soot-black river." In the Manchu language, it was also called Usuri Ula. Another Manchu name was Dobi Bira, which means "River of Foxes." Mongolian speakers used the name Üssüri Müren. These names show how different cultures have interacted with the water. Each name offers a different way to describe the river's character.

The river has played a major role in international history. The Ussuri forms part of the border between Russia and China. This border was established by the Sino-Russian Convention of Peking in 1860. The river has also been a site of military movement. During World War II, Soviet forces crossed the river in 1945. This was part of a mission called Operation August Storm. Later, in 1969, a border conflict occurred at Damansky Island. This island is located on the Ussuri River.

Nature follows a specific cycle along the river's path. The Ussuri is known for having catastrophic floods. The water level can change significantly during these events. In the colder months, the river freezes over. This freezing process begins in November. The river stays under the ice until April. During the warmer months, the river teems with many types of fish. You can find grayling and sturgeon in the water. There are also humpback salmon, known as gorbusha, and chum salmon, known as keta.

Several smaller rivers, called tributaries, flow into the Ussuri. These rivers add to its total volume as they move downstream. From the source to the mouth, the major tributaries include the Arsenyevka and the Sungacha. The Muling and Naoli are also left-side tributaries. On the right side, the Bolshaya Ussurka and the Bikin flow into the Ussuri. The Khor is another right-side tributary. These connections make the Ussuri a complex system of moving water.

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File:Река Уссури у посёлка Горные Ключи.JPG
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