West Dvina (Zachodniaja Dźvina), a major river flowing for 328 kilometers through Belarus from east (Russia) to west (Latvia) into the Baltic Sea. On its banks, important ancient cities were built, among them Połacak and Viciebsk. Along this river, the influence of the Połacak Duchy extended westward into the lands of the Livs, where the vassal towns of Hiercykie and Kukienojs were trading posts on the route from Połacak to Riga.