Vanj (river)

Vanj
The valley of the Vanj
Location
Country	Tajikistan
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Panj
• coordinates	38°17′19″N 71°19′53″E / 38.2886°N 71.3315°E / 38.2886; 71.3315
Length	103 km (64 mi)
Basin size	2,070 km2 (800 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression	Panj→ Amu Darya→ Aral Sea

The Vanj (Tajik: Ванҷ, Russian: Ванч Vanch) is a river in east Tajikistan. It is a right tributary of the Panj in Vanj District, north-western Gorno-Badakhshan. The river is 103 kilometres (64 mi) long and has a basin area of 2,070 square kilometres (800 sq mi).^[1] It flows southwest between the Darvoz Range to the north and the Vanj Range to the south, joining the Panj on the border with Afghanistan. The Vanj valley is broader and more fertile than other valleys feeding the Panj. Vanj town is about 20 km upstream from the Panj. At the head of the valley, beyond the village of Po-i-Mazar, the river turns southeast (going upstream) and is fed by the Geographical Society Glacier near Independence Peak. Beyond the head of the valley are the Academy of Sciences Range and the Fedchenko Glacier.

South, on the other side of the Vanj Range, is the valley of the Yazgulem. The Vanji language, formerly spoken in the valley, is extinct.

References

• "Tajikistan 2002: Vital Maps and Graphics on Climate Change". Tajikistan Met Service. Retrieved August 18, 2005.