The Reprua River

The Reprua River: The World’s Shortest River

The Reprua River (მდინარე რეპრუა), located in the Gagra District of Abkhazia, Georgia, holds the Guinness World Record for being the shortest named river in the world. Measuring only 27 meters (89 feet) from its source to its mouth, the Reprua is a powerful karst spring that bursts from the base of the Arabika Massif and immediately flows into the Black Sea. It is a stunning natural curiosity, a full-fledged, powerful river that exists for just a moment before merging with the sea.

The river is believed to be the surface outlet of a vast underground river system that originates in the Arabika Massif, a massive limestone mountain range famous for containing some of the world’s deepest caves, including the Veryovkina Cave. The Reprua’s water is the final stage of a long subterranean journey, emerging as incredibly clean, pure, and ice-cold. For tourists and locals in Gagra, it is a fascinating and easily accessible natural wonder.

ℹ️ General Information

• Name of River: Reprua River (მდინარე რეპრუა)
• Location: Gagra, Abkhazia, Georgia.
• Length: 27 meters (89 feet)
• Basin Size: Fed by an extensive underground cave system.
• Source (Origin): Karst spring at the base of the Arabika Massif.
• Mouth (Where it flows): Black Sea.
• Key Feature: Officially the shortest river in the world.

📍 Geography & Course

The entire course of the Reprua is visible from the Black Sea coast. It is a powerful resurgence of an underground river, creating a significant flow that pushes far out into the sea, its cold, fresh water visibly mixing with the warmer saltwater.

🌿 Nature & Ecology

The river itself is too short to have its own distinct ecosystem, but it is a vital source of fresh, clean water for the local coastal marine environment. The purity of its water is exceptional, having been filtered through kilometers of limestone rock.

🏛️ History & Culture

The river is a well-known local landmark. Its name is linked to an Abkhazian legend about a warrior and his siblings. In modern times, its fame comes from its recognition as a world record holder, making it a point of pride for the region and a unique geographical feature.

🚣 Activities & Tourism

• Sightseeing: The primary activity is to visit the spot where the river emerges and flows into the sea, a quick but memorable stop.
• Photography: Capturing the world’s shortest river is a unique photographic opportunity.

🛤️ Accessibility

The Reprua River is extremely accessible. It is located in the western part of Gagra, right next to the main coastal highway. It can be easily visited by anyone traveling through the town. However, access to the Abkhazia region is currently restricted.