| Nida | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Poland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Vistula |
• coordinates | 50°17′48″N20°51′17″E / 50.29667°N 20.85472°E /50.29667; 20.85472 |
| Length | 154 km (96 mi) |
| Basin size | 3,844 km2 (1,484 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 21.1 m3/s (750 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Vistula→Baltic Sea |
TheNidapronounced[ˈɲida] is ariver in centralPoland, a lefttributary of theVistula river, into which it flows nearNowy Korczyn). The Nida has a length of 154 kilometres and a basin area of 3,844 km2.[1] This includes theprotected area calledNida Landscape Park.
The Nida itself is made up of two smaller rivers, the White Nida and the Black Nida, which merge in the village of Brzegi (nearCheciny). It is a typical lowland river, with little difference in the water level. The valley of the Nida is wide, and covered with meadows. At its narrowest, the river is only 6 m wide, while at its widest spot, the Nida is 79 m across. The depth ranges from 0,4 to 2,6 m. The Nida is one of the warmest rivers of Poland; in the summer, its temperature reaches up to 27 degrees C.
The Nida Valley is a geographic region in southern Poland, along the lower and middle Nida. It is 65 kilometres long and 2 - 6 kilometres wide. The bottom of the valley is flat and wet, withpeat appearing in several locations in the formeroxbow lakes. The valley is marked by numerous meadows and pastures, and its main urban centers are ancientLesser Poland towns of Pinczow, Wislica and Nowy Korczyn.
The name Ponidzie refers to a region ofLesser Poland, which lies along the Nida, and which is much larger than the valley. It stretches from Checiny to Nowy Korczyn, with three landscape parks: Nida Landscape Park, Szaniec Landscape Park and Kozubow Landscape Park. Furthermore, there are several nature reserves, such as Przeslin, Skorocice, Krzyzanowice, Skotniki Gorne, Winiary Zagojskie, Gory Wschodnie, Grabowiec and Skowronno. In the north, the region is marked bygypsum rocks, while in the south the landscape is flat. The region has two symbols, theAdonis vernalis, and the Gothic collegiate church inWiślica.
Ponidzie, which lies halfway between the historic centers of Lesser Poland,Kraków andSandomierz, was, in the lateMiddle Ages, one of the most important regions of theKingdom of Poland. Divided betweenKraków Voivodeship andSandomierz Voivodeship, it had several castles, and many significant events took place here, in the once-important local towns ofChęciny,Nowy Korczyn,Pińczów,Wiślica,Jędrzejów,Pacanów,Szydłów,Opatowiec,Chmielnik, andStopnica. Destroyed and ransacked during theSwedish invasion of Poland, the region has never regained its greatness.[citation needed]
In the 16th century, Ponidzie was one of Lesser Poland’s centres ofProtestant Reformation, herePolish Brethren prayer houses and schools operated, with the most famous, theRacovian Academy. Among Protestant activists who worked here are such names, asJan Łaski,Samuel Przypkowski, andMarcin Ruar. Furthermore,Jan Chryzostom Pasek lived here for many years.Wojciech Belon dedicated one of his songs to Ponidzie, and one of the most popular tourist attractions of the region is a narrow gauge railway “Ciuchcia Express Ponidzie”.
Tributaries of theVistula River | ||
|---|---|---|
| Forming rivers |
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| Main tributaries of the left bank | ||
| Main tributaries of the right bank | ||
| Distributary | ||
