Geography

🌍 Geography of Orshansky District

Located in the southeast of the Vitebsk region in the upper reaches of the Dnieper

1707 sq. km area of the district
260 settlements
42 water body
27% forests occupy territories

Relief and location

The district's territory is located between the lowland of the Lucesa River and the Orsha‑Mogilev plateau. Based on the relief, two subdistricts are distinguished:

⛰️
Orsha highland
In the north and west of the district. Part of the moraine ridge — a legacy of the glacier.
🌾
Orsha-Mogilev Plain
In the southeast of the district. Occupied by riverine and dryland meadows.
Elevation changes

Highest point:237.5 meters above sea level

The lowest point:146 meters above sea level

Borders with districts

  • In the north:Sennen and Lioznen districts (Vitebsk region)
  • In the West:Tolochinsky District (Vitebsk Region)
  • In the east:Dubrovsky District (Vitebsk Region)
  • In the southeast:Goretsky District (Mogilev Region)
  • In the south:Shklovsky District (Mogilev Region)

Climate

The climate of the Orshansky district is moderately continental.

-7.8°C Average temperature in January
+18°C Average temperature of July
627 mm Sediment per year
184 days Vegetative period

Water resources

🌊
Rivers of the Western Dvina basin
Glukhaya, Zeremnyanka, Dobrynka, Berezovka, Verkhita
Rivers of the Dnieper basin
Lescha, Dernovka, Orshitsa, Adrov, Krapivenka
💧
Lakes
13 lakes out of 42 water bodies. Largest: Bolshoye Orekhovskoye, Devinskoye, Kuzmino, Karesino, Perevalochnoe

Forests and nature

🌲
Forest types
Mostly coniferous and fir trees, birch, aspen and alder are also found
🦌
Animal world
Moose, roe deer, noble deer. 4 animal species are included in the Red Book
🌿
Plant world
6 species of plants are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus

Agricultural lands

Total area:93.8 thousand hectares

Including the fields:70.7 thousand hectares

The majority of the district's territory is occupied by floodplain and dryland meadows and shrubs. The glacier's actions are reminiscent of boulders of various sizes on the fields of Orshanshchina. The largest of them are nature monuments (for example, near the village of Kudaevo).