Yantra (river)

Yantra (Янтра)
The Yantra running through Veliko Tarnovo
Country	Bulgaria
Physical characteristics
Main source	Central Stara Planina, Bulgaria 1,340 m (4,400 ft)
River mouth	Danube, close to Svishtov 43°38′27″N 25°34′13″E / 43.6409°N 25.5702°E / 43.6409; 25.5702Coordinates: 43°38′27″N 25°34′13″E / 43.6409°N 25.5702°E / 43.6409; 25.5702
Length	222 km (138 mi)[1]
Basin features
Progression	Danube→ Black Sea
Basin size	7,862 km2 (3,036 sq mi)[1]

The Yantra (Bulgarian: Я̀нтра) is a river in northern Bulgaria, a right tributary of the Danube. It is 222 km (138 mi) long (the second longest Bulgarian tributary of the Danube, after Iskar) and has a watershed of 7,862 km² (3,036 sq mi).^[1]

The Yantra near Tsenovo, not far from its mouth

The Yantra has its source from the northern foot of Hadzhi Dimitar Peak in Central Stara Planina, at 1,340 m (4,400 ft). In its upper course, it is often called Etar (Етър), its older name. The river flows into the Danube close to Svishtov.

A special feature of the river are the many gorges it forms by crossing the Fore-Balkan area, the largest one being close to Veliko Tarnovo, 7 km (4 mi) in length, albeit actually twice as long due to the river's many turns.

Major cities on the river are Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Polski Trambesh, and Byala, close to which is the famous bridge Belenski most over the Yantra.

Honour

Yantra Cove in Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Yantra River.

References