Shilka (river)

The Shilka (Russian: Ши́лка; Evenki: Силькари, Sil'kari; Buryat: Шилкэ, Shilke; Mongolian: Шилка, Shilka; Chinese: 石勒喀; pinyin: shílē kā) is a river in Zabaykalsky Krai, (Dauria) south-eastern Russia. It has a length of 560 km (350 mi), and has a drainage basin of 206,000 square kilometres (80,000 sq mi).^[1]

Shilka
The Shilka River near Bolotovo.
Location of the Shilka River within the Amur Basin
Location
Country	Russia
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Amur
• coordinates	53°19′58″N 121°28′49″E
Length	560 km (350 mi)
Basin size	206,000 km2 (80,000 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	440 m3/s (16,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Amur→ Sea of Okhotsk

The S.S. AMUR on the Shilka River (c.1902)

The name derives from Evenki shilki 'narrow valley.'^[2]

Course

It originates as the confluence of the rivers Onon and Ingoda. Its confluence with the Argun on the Russia-China border gives rise to the Amur. The river is navigable for its entire length. The town Sretensk lies on the Shilka.^[1]

Tributaries

The largest tributaries of the Shilka are, from source to mouth:^[3]

• Onon (right)
• Ingoda (left)
• Nercha (left)
• Kuenga (left)
• Chacha (left)
• Kara (left)
• Chyornaya (left)

See also

• Selenga Highlands
• List of rivers of Russia