The Thames is the main British river, on which, besides London, there are several other cities. This is a legendary waterway with many historical and cultural events. Deep and wide, the Thames has been used for shipping since ancient times.
Location and features of the Thames
The Thames is located in the southern part of Great Britain. Her English name is Thames. The river is 334 km long. The Thames originates in the Cotswold Hills, in the Oxford and Gloucester counties. The area in which its origins are located is officially recognized in the UK as an area of unique natural beauty.
The river flows through Oxford, Tilbury, Reading Lechlade and some other cities, but it got its significance due to the fact that the capital of the country, the city of London, stands on its banks. The lower course of the Thames, which is located in the London area, is influenced by the tides of the North Sea, into which the river flows shortly after the capital. The height of the river can change by several meters due to this effect, therefore in London itself and in many other places in the lower reaches there are a number of dams to protect the territories, and the banks are fortified with embankments and dams.
The main current is located in wide valleys, the slopes are rather gentle. The Thames is a flat river, its course is complex and meandering, with numerous islands.
The width of the river estuary is about 650 m (this value is observed on the eastern outskirts of London), and at the mouth it reaches 16 km. The river is fed mainly by rainwater. The maximum amount of water can be observed in winter. Ice on the river almost never rises, except in the coldest winters.
The river is deep enough for ships with a large displacement to move along it, even ocean ships reach some cities.
Several canals connect the Thames with the Bristol Bay and the Irish Sea. Special canals were built in the old days to industrial areas in central Britain. The Thames is the longest river in England and the United Kingdom the second longest.
An amazing feature of the Thames is that due to the influence of sea tides, the river has both fresh and seawater areas. This provides a unique variety of flora and fauna present in the river.
History of the Thames
The ancient Celts, who lived along the banks of the river once upon a time, called it Tamesas, which translates as "dark water". The Thames was surrounded by swamps. The Romans, who later conquered Britain, shortened the name of the river to Tames, which served as the prototype for the current name of the river. Londoners simply say "river" without calling it by name.
The first bridge over the Thames was built by the Romans, whom it interfered with in their campaigns of conquest. Later, a port was founded near this bridge, called Londinium, which then gave rise to London.
