Váh

The Váh is the longest river in Slovakia. It flows through many towns, including Liptovský Hrádok, Liptovský Mikuláš, Ružomberok, Žilina, Trenčín, Piešťany, Šaľa, and Komárno. This river is very important for the country, providing water for people and helping with transportation. The Váh has shaped the land and the lives of many communities along its path for a very long time.

Etymology

The name of the Váh River may come from old Germanic words meaning "stream" or from old Slavic words for a stick or branch. This might refer to the riverbanks being strengthened with such sticks. Many river names in the area have similar origins, and older names from before the Slavic people lived there are often thought to be the source for big rivers in Slovakia. The river was first mentioned as "flumen Vvaga" in 1111 and "aqua Vvac'" in 1113.

Geography

The Váh is a left tributary of the Danube river and is the longest river in Slovakia. It is 406 kilometres (252 mi) long, including its Čierny Váh branch. The river starts in the Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras) and Nízke Tatry (Low Tatra) mountains and flows through northern and western Slovakia before joining the Danube near Komárno.

The Váh has many smaller rivers that flow into it, called tributaries. Some left tributaries are Demänovka, Revúca, Ľubochnianka, Turiec, Rajčanka, and Nitra rivers. Right tributaries include Belá, Orava, Varínka, Kysuca, Biela voda, Vlára, Dubová, Dudváh, and Malý Dunaj rivers. Over time, many canals and dams have been built along the Váh, and there are 16 hydropower stations. Major roads and railways also follow the path of the Váh.