The
Karaš or
Caraș (in
RomanianRomanian Romanian Romanian (or Daco-Romanian; obsolete spellings Rumanian, Roumanian; self-designation: română, limba română ("the Romanian language") or românește (lit. "in Romanian") is a Romance language spoken by around 24 to 28 million people, primarily in Romania and Moldova...
) is a 110 km long river in the
BanatThe Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania , the western part in northeastern Serbia , and a small...
region of
SerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and
RomaniaRomania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, left tributary of the
DanubeThe Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
.
Name
In
RomanThe Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
times the river was known as
Apo, from a Thracian word meaning "water".
Romania
The Caraș originates in the Anina Mountains, northeast of the town of
AninaAnina is a town in southwestern Romania, in Caraş-Severin County, with a population of 10,886 in 2000. The town administers one village, Steierdorf.In 2002, the oldest modern human remains in Europe were discovered in a cave near Anina...
, close to the sources of the Bârzava and Nera rivers. It runs through Romania for 50 km and originally flows to the north, but at the town of
CaraşovaCarașova is a commune in Caraș-Severin County, Romania. It is known especially for its geographical placement and for the origin of its Croatian inhabitants, the Krashovani. The population of the commune numbered 3,260 people at the 2002 census...
turns southwest and receives many short tributaries (most notably, left tributary of the
Lisava) and passes next to the many villages (Giurgiova, Ticvaniu Mare, Grădinari, Vărădia, Mercina, Vrani) before it enters Serbian province of
VojvodinaVojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
.
Serbia
Right after crossing the border, the Karaš receives its two major tributaries, the
Borugu from the right, and the
Ilidija (Romanian:
Ilidia) from the left. It passes the villages of
KuštiljKuštilj is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Vršac municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population numbering 664 people ....
,
VojvodinciVojvodinci , , ) is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Vršac municipality, South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population numbering 328 people .-See also:...
,
DobričevoDobričevo is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Hungarian ethnic majority and its population numbering 226 people ....
,
StražaStraža may refer to:* Straža, Bosnia and Herzegovina* Straža, a village in Lipkovo municipality, Republic of Macedonia* Straža, a village near Vršac, Vojvodina, Serbia* Straža, a hamlet in Kosovo, Serbia...
and
JasenovoJasenovo may refer to:* Jasenovo, Slovakia, a village and municipality in Slovakia.* Jasenovo, Nova Varoš, a village in Nova Varoš municipality, Serbia.* Jasenovo, Bela Crkva, a village in Bela Crkva municipality, Serbia....
and reaches the eastern side of the
Deliblatska PeščaraDeliblatska Peščara or Deliblato Sand is a large sand area situated in the Vojvodina province, Serbia. It is located in southern Banat...
and
Dumača hill, the easternmost side of the Hills of Zagajica. From this point, the Karaš is channeled and incorporated into the last part of the Canal Danube-Tisa-Danube. It runs alongside the villages of
DupljajaDupljaja is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 854 people .-History and archaeology:...
,
GrebenacGrebenac is a village in Vojvodina, Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population is 1,017 .-External links:*...
,
KajtasovoKajtasovo is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 287 people .-See also:...
and
Banatska PalankaBanatska Palanka is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, South Banat District, Vojvodina province...
before it ends its 60 km course through Serbia, emptying into the Danube near the village of Stara Palanka, across from the tourist resort of
RamThe Ram Fortress is situated on a steep slope on the right bank of the River Danube, in the municipality of Veliko Gradište, Serbia. The place first finds its reference in Trajanic times as a settlement where the cavalry units were stationed. In the year 1128 CE, it is mentioned as being in the...
.
The Karaš drains an area of 1,400 km². Although it has been channeled, it is not navigable.
Settlements located near the river
In Romania:
CaraşovaCarașova is a commune in Caraș-Severin County, Romania. It is known especially for its geographical placement and for the origin of its Croatian inhabitants, the Krashovani. The population of the commune numbered 3,260 people at the 2002 census...
,
GoruiaGoruia is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 951 people. It is composed of three villages: Gârlişte, Giurgiova and Goruia.-References:...
,
Ticvaniu MareTicvaniu Mare is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 1951 people. It is composed of four villages: Cârnecea, Secăşeni, Ticvaniu Mare and Ticvaniu Mic.-References:...
,
GrădinariGrădinari is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 2,199 people. It is composed of two villages, Grădinari and Greoni.Grădinari is a Slavic-origin word meaning "gardeners" in Romanian and some Slavic languages....
,
VărădiaVărădia is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, in the west of Romania. It is composed of two villages, Mercina and Vărădia.It is located near the border with Serbia, on the Caraş River....
,
VraniVrani is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 1258 people. It is composed of three villages: Ciortea, Iertof and Vrani.-References:...
In Serbia:
KuštiljKuštilj is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Vršac municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population numbering 664 people ....
,
VojvodinciVojvodinci , , ) is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Vršac municipality, South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population numbering 328 people .-See also:...
,
DobričevoDobričevo is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Hungarian ethnic majority and its population numbering 226 people ....
,
StražaStraža may refer to:* Straža, Bosnia and Herzegovina* Straža, a village in Lipkovo municipality, Republic of Macedonia* Straža, a village near Vršac, Vojvodina, Serbia* Straža, a hamlet in Kosovo, Serbia...
,
JasenovoJasenovo may refer to:* Jasenovo, Slovakia, a village and municipality in Slovakia.* Jasenovo, Nova Varoš, a village in Nova Varoš municipality, Serbia.* Jasenovo, Bela Crkva, a village in Bela Crkva municipality, Serbia....
,
DupljajaDupljaja is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 854 people .-History and archaeology:...
,
GrebenacGrebenac is a village in Vojvodina, Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Romanian ethnic majority and its population is 1,017 .-External links:*...
,
KajtasovoKajtasovo is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 287 people .-See also:...
,
Banatska PalankaBanatska Palanka is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, South Banat District, Vojvodina province...
, Stara Palanka
Tributaries
The following rivers are tributaries to the river Karaš:
Left:
BuhuiThe Buhui River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania. The river first flows through Lake Buhui. Thereafter it flows through the Buhui Cave and, after emerging from the cave, flows through a reach of narrow gorges before joining the Caraş River....
,
RaicovaceaThe Raicovacea River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
ŞereniacThe Şereniac River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
GârlişteThe Gârlişte River or Anina River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
,
GoruiaThe Goruia River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
JitinThe Jitin River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
LișavaThe Lişava River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
,
BucovățThe Bucovăţ River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
CiclovaThe Ciclova River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
,
VicinicThe Vicinic River is a tributary of the Caraş River. Its source and the greatest part of the river are located in Romania. On its lower reach it crosses the border into Serbia before joining the Caraş River-References:...
,
IlidiaThe Ilidija River is a tributary of the Caraş River. Its source is in Romania. It then crosses the border into Serbia before joining the Caraş River.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti...
Right:
Izvoru MareThe Izvoru Mare River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
Jervanu MareThe Jervanu Mare River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
ComarnicThe Comarnic River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
GelugThe Gelug River or Lupac River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971-Maps:...
,
DogneceaThe Dognecea River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
,
BarcheșThe Barcheş River or Barheş River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
,
CernovățThe Cernovăţ River or Ciornovăţ River is a tributary of the Caraş River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
, Borugu
Krašovani
Krašovani or Karašani (Cyrillic: Крашовани or Карашани; People from the Karaš), are people of
South SlavicThe South Slavs are the southern branch of the Slavic peoples and speak South Slavic languages. Geographically, the South Slavs are native to the Balkan peninsula, the southern Pannonian Plain and the eastern Alps...
origin, settled around the town of
CaraşovaCarașova is a commune in Caraș-Severin County, Romania. It is known especially for its geographical placement and for the origin of its Croatian inhabitants, the Krashovani. The population of the commune numbered 3,260 people at the 2002 census...
in the river's upper course. Known as good farmers and craftsmen with an estimated number of 20,000 after the
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, they are mostly assimilated today.
Maps