Mari Lowland

Mari Lowland

 

a lowland along the left bank of the Volga River, located primarily in the southwestern Mari ASSR and extending from the republic’s western borders to the Malaia Kokshaga River. Its elevation ranges from 50 to 100 m. In the flat areas between the rivers there are ancient dunes. The lowland is drained by the left tributaries of the Volga (the Vetluga and the Bol’shaia Kokshaga, for example). There are many small lakes and swamps. The soils are podzolic, sandy, and in places, boggy. The lowland is covered with pine forests. On the flood-plains there are oak forests and meadows.