The Karaš (in Serbian, also Cyrillic: Караш) or Caraș (in Romanian) is a 110 km long river in the Banat region of Vojvodina, Serbia and Romania and a left tributary of the Danube. The Karaš drains an area of 1,400 km2 and although it has been channeled it is not navigable.

Name

In Roman times the river was known as Apo, from a Thracian word meaning "water". The Hungarian name is Karas.

Romania

The Caraș originates in the Anina Mountains, northeast of the town of Anina, close to the sources of the Bârzava and Nera rivers. It runs through Romania for 50 km, flowing to the north in its early reaches before turning southwest at the town of Carașova where it receives many short tributaries, most notably, the left tributary of the Lișava, then passes many villages (including Giurgiova, Ticvaniu Mare, Grădinari, Vărădia, Mercina, Vrani) before it enters the Serbian province of Vojvodina. In Romania, its length is 79 km and its basin size is 1280 km2.

Serbia

Right after crossing the border, the Karaš receives its two major tributaries, the Borugu from the right, and the Vicinic from the left. It passes the villages of Kuštilj, Vojvodinci, Dobričevo, Straža and Jasenovo and reaches the eastern side of the Deliblatska Peščara 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 Danube-Tisa Canal. It runs alongside the villages of Dupljaja, Grebenac, Kajtasovo and Banatska Palanka 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 Ram.

Settlements located near the river

In Romania: Carașova, Goruia, Ticvaniu Mare, Grădinari, Vărădia, Vrani In Serbia: Kuštilj, Vojvodinci, Dobričevo, Straža, Jasenovo, Dupljaja, Grebenac, Kajtasovo, Banatska Palanka, Stara Palanka

Tributaries

The following are tributaries of the Karaš (from source to mouth): Left: Buhui, Raicovacea, Șereniac, Gârliște, Goruița, Jitin, Lișava, Mercina, Ciclova, Vicinic Right: Izvoru Mare, Jervanu Mare, Comarnic, Gelug, Dognecea, Barheș, Ciornovăț, Vărădia, Borugu

Krašovani

Krašovani or Karašani (Cyrillic: Крашовани or Карашани; People from the Karaš), are people of South Slavic origin, settled around the town of Carașova in the river's upper course. Known as good farmers and craftsmen with an estimated number of 20,000 after World War II.