Southern Bug is the third longest river in Ukraine and the longest one that flows only on Ukrainian territory (length - 806 km or 500 mi). Originates in the Volyn-Podilsk Upland (Khmelnytsky region) and flows into the Bug estuary of the Black Sea. Flows through Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Odessa and Mykolaiv regions.
Southern Bug is known for its rapids (the oldest geological formation in Ukraine - Ukrainian crystalline shield comes to the surface). At the upper half, the banks are heavily dissected by valleys, ravines. The lower half is characterized by a flat terrain with many depressions. Near Pervomaysk the banks are high – up to 90 meters (300 ft) and rocky, and the water course is narrow, with rapids.
Most of the Southern Bug basin lays within the forest-steppe zone with broadleaved woodlands. To the south it gradually changes to forests and forest-steppe.
In the basin there are 188 reservoirs and 8437 ponds, small lakes (in Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, Odesa, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv regions) and swamps.
In Vinnytsya there is the Europe's largest floating light and music fountain on the river.
