Sochi is a Russian resort town locatedon the Black Sea coast. This region is often called the Russian or Caucasian Riviera. Why is the area where Sochi and other cities of the Black Sea coast are compared to popular European resorts? Does the Caucasus belong territorially to Europe or Asia? The answers to many questions are given by geographical maps: physical, climatic, political and administrative.
The city of Sochi is located in the southwestern part of Russia,in the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. The Azov Sea is located to the north, where the border with Ukraine runs. In the south, the border borders on the Republic of Abkhazia. The Kuban River divides the territory into two halves. The northern part is represented in relief by plains. The capital city of Krasnodar is based on the Kuban River. To the south lie the mountains of the North Caucasus, the Main Caucasian Range. To the west extends the seacoast, where Sochi and other resort cities are located, as well as Novorossiysk, Russia's main Black Sea port in this region.
The main points of the geographical description concernPosition in relation to the lines of the degree grid and other large objects on the map. Sochi is located on the slopes of the Western Caucasus, washed by the Black Sea. Coordinates of the Central Post Office of the resort city: 43 ° 35'07 "s. w. 39 ° 43'13 "in. etc. (Central Post Office). The distance to Moscow is about 1700 km. The area where Sochi and its nearby resorts are located lies on the same geographical latitude with the French Riviera and the Bulgarian Varna. If you continue to move along the 43rd parallel to the east, then it will be on it the Olympic Sapporo in Japan. According to one of the most ancient cartographic traditions, the Caucasian ridge separates Europe from Asia. There are different options for holding a border on the map between two parts of the mainland. In order not to be confused, a group of Russian geographers suggested that the Ural mountains be included entirely in Europe, and the Caucasus excluded. In this case, where are the cities of the Black Sea coast? Sochi on the map of Russia is located entirely within the European territory of the country, like the entire Krasnodar Territory.
The territory of Sochi stretches for almost 150 kmfrom the Psou River in the southeast and almost to the 44th parallel in the north. The overwhelming majority of the city's population lives on a narrow strip along the coast, where Sochi (the central city district) and large microdistricts (Lazarevskoye, Loo, Dagomys, Khosta, Matsesta, Adler) are located. The widest and most comfortable part - the Imereti Valley - belongs to the Adler district. Nearby is the world-famous mountain climatic reserve "Krasnaya Polyana". For the beauty of mountain landscapes and the opportunity to engage in mountain skiing, the village is called Russian Switzerland. Also on the territory of Adler, the Sochi airport was built.
High Caucasus mountains protect the coast frompenetration of tropical heat from the south and cold from the north-east. The waters of the Black Sea are a powerful heat accumulator, a kind of natural air conditioner for the coast. In autumn and winter, the air over the sea is warmer, in the summer - cooler. In this part of Russia nature has created excellent conditions for life, recreation, entertainment and sports activities at any time of the year. Sochi is a picturesque mountain and sea landscapes, evergreen subtropical vegetation, an abundance of heat and sunlight. To the northeast is the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The protected area covers vast areas in the Krasnodar Territory and Adygea. Big Sochi, with the exception of the sea coast and the area belonging to the reserve, is included in the national park.
The words "Sochi", "Russia" for many foreignersare associated with the holding of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. On the eve of the competition in the city, the seaport was reconstructed. By the beginning of the Games, hundreds of kilometers of new motorways and railways were laid, cableways were built to serve the mountain cluster. New infrastructure and sports facilities were erected in the city and its surroundings, and the airport was modernized. The territory in Adler, where the Sochi Olympic Park is located, has become one of the main attractions of the coast and the whole region.
On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus Mountainsthere are famous and popular resort towns in the population. Most of the year here is warm and sunny, which has a serene rest. It attracts the azure sea, admires the snow-covered Caucasus. To all this, we still need to add clean air, bright green broad-leaved and dark - coniferous forests. In Sochi, in addition to the spa benefits and therapeutic options, there are valuable natural monuments and cultural and historical attractions. A rich entertainment program is offered by a concert hall, a theater, a circus. You can visit the arboretum, aquarium, water park, dolphinarium, see the city's museums, visit the port.
Well complemented by swimming and relaxing on the beachbus and walking tours. There are conditions for playing sports and combining them with a cultural program. Fans of the thrill like to raft on the mountain rivers, diving, kitesurfing and yachting. Tourist trails lead to the recreational area "Big Akhun". Here are the cascades of the Agur waterfall, the observation tower at an altitude of 630 m. You can visit the sculpture of Prometheus, breaking the chain. Legends say that the gods punished him for helping people. According to ancient legends, on the western slopes of the Caucasus is the same rock, to which was bound by Prometheus. Numerous guests arrive in the city of Sochi in the south-west of Russia during the year. There are ample opportunities for the development of beach, sightseeing, family, cruise, sports and other types of tourism. A bright and hospitable city reminds of a caring Prometheus, who gave his people love.
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