Sochi is a Russian resort city located on 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 located compared with 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.
Sochi, Krasnodar Territory
The city of Sochi is located in the southwestern part of Russia, in the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. To the north is the Sea of Azov, where the border with Ukraine passes. In the south, the region borders on the Republic of Abkhazia. The Kuban River divides the territory into two halves. The northern part is represented in the 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 lies the sea coast, where Sochi and other resort cities are located, as well as Novorossiysk, Russia's main Black Sea port in this region.
Where is the city of Sochi?
The main points of the geographical description relate to the position relative to the degree grid lines and other large objects on the map. Sochi is located on the slopes of the Western Caucasus, washed by the waters of the Black Sea. Coordinates of the Central Post Office of the resort city: 43 ° 35′07 ″ s. w. 39 ° 43′13 ″ c. d. (Central Post Office). The distance to Moscow is about 1700 km. The territory where Sochi and nearby resort places are located lies on the same latitude with the French Riviera and Bulgarian Varna. If you continue to move along the 43rd parallel to the east, you will find the Olympic Sapporo in Japan on it. According to one of the most ancient cartographic traditions, the Caucasian ridge separates Europe from Asia. There are different options for drawing on the map the border between the two parts of the mainland. To avoid confusion, a group of Russian geographers proposed the Ural Mountains to be completely included in Europe, and the Caucasus to be excluded. In this case, where are the cities of the Black Sea coast? Sochi on the map of Russia is located completely within the European territory of the country, like the entire Krasnodar Territory.
The largest resort city of the country
Sochi stretches almost 150 km from 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 micro-districts (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 base "Krasnaya Polyana". For the beauty of the mountain scenery and the opportunity to go skiing, the village is called Russian Switzerland. Also, the Sochi airport was built on the territory of Adler.
Sochi - climatic and natural pearl of Russia
The high Caucasus mountains protect the coast from the penetration of tropical heat from the south and cold from the northeast. The waters of the Black Sea are a powerful heat accumulator, a kind of natural air conditioning for the coast. In autumn and winter, the air over the sea is warmer, in summer it is cooler. In this part of Russia, nature has created excellent conditions for life, recreation, entertainment and sports 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 capital of the XXII Olympic Winter Games
Many foreigners associate the words “Sochi”, “Russia” with the holding of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. In anticipation of the competition, the seaport was reconstructed in the city. By the beginning of the Games, hundreds of kilometers of new motorways and railways were laid, cable cars were built to serve the mountain cluster. New infrastructure and sports facilities were erected in the city and its environs; 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 entire region.
Journey to the Black Sea
On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus Mountains there are well-known and popular resort towns among the population. Most of the year it is warm and sunny, which offers a relaxing break. The azure sea beckons, the snowy Caucasus delights. To all this, you still need to add clean air, bright green broad-leaved and dark - coniferous forests. In Sochi, in addition to resort benefits and healing opportunities, there are valuable natural monuments and cultural and historical sights. A rich entertainment program is offered by the cinema hall, theater, circus. You can visit the arboretum, oceanarium, water park, dolphinarium, explore the city museums, visit the port.
Well complement the bathing and relaxing on the beach bus and walking tours. There are conditions for playing sports and combining them with a cultural program. Thrill-seekers enjoy rafting on mountain rivers, diving, kitesurfing and yachting. Hiking trails lead to the Big Akhun Recreation Area. Here are the cascades of Agursky waterfall, an observation tower at an altitude of 630 m. You can visit the sculpture of Prometheus, breaking the chains. Legends say that the gods punished him for helping people. According to ancient legends, on the western slopes of the Caucasus is the very rock to which Prometheus was chained. Numerous guests arrive in the city of Sochi in southwestern Russia throughout 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 resembles a caring Prometheus, who gave people his love.