The Zarafshon is a river in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its name 'spreader of gold' in Persian refers to the presence of gold-bearing sands in the upper reaches of the river. It was known as the Polytimetus by the ancient Greeks. The river is known in Russian as Zeravshan, and it was also formerly known as the Sughd River. The river is 877 kilometres (545 mi) long and has a basin area of 17,700 square kilometres (6,800 mi2).