Nevėžis | |
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Map of Nevėžis
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Country | Lithuania |
Basin features | |
Main source | Anykščiai District Municipality |
River mouth | Neman River |
Basin size | 6,140 km2 (2,370 sq mi) |
Physical characteristics | |
Length | 209 km (130 mi) |
Discharge |
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The Nevėžis ( pronunciation ) is the sixth longest river in Lithuania and one of the main tributaries of the Nemunas. Its length is 209 km (130 mi), and it flows only within the geographical confines of Lithuania. It is the second longest river in Lithuania, after the Šventoji, that flows exclusively within its borders. Its source is in the Anykščiai District Municipality, and the river first flows in a northwesterly direction, but then at Panevėžys turns towards the southwest, and passing Kėdainiai, flows into the Neman just west of Kaunas near Raudondvaris.
There is a popular misconception that the name Nevėžis means "a river without crayfishes" because vėžys is the Lithuanian word for crayfish and ne means "no". In fact, the Nevėžis is known for its variety of fauna which include crayfish. The name etymologically comes from a Sanskrit word vaagh meaning "sough." A negation ne- was added because the river is very slow and without turbulence. The name is logical because the Nevėžis has the lowest elevation among rivers in Lithuania, and it makes many loops.