The main feature of the geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is that it is located in the central part of Ciscaucasia and on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, spread between the Black and Caspian Seas. From an administrative point of view, the Stavropol Territory is considered part of the North Caucasus Federal District, and its capital is the city of Stavropol.
General geography of the Stavropol Territory
Located in the south of the European part of Russia, the Stavropol Territory borders on such regions as Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kalmykia, Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory. From the number of neighbors and their diversity, we can conclude about the great ethnic richness and cultural heterogeneity of the region in which the region is located.
From north to south the region stretches for 285 kilometers, and from west to east - for 370 kilometers. The tectonic structure of this region determines a variety of landforms and a wealth of natural resources. The physical and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is closely related to the geological history of this region.
The relief of the edge. Plain and mountainous areas
On the territory of the region you can find a wide variety of landforms. While mainly flat regions are located in the north, in the southwest and south, the relief begins to slowly rise, first to the level of mountain laccoliths in the Mineralnye Vody region, then to the level of the Pastoral Rocky Range, and then passes to the Lateral Ridge, the highest point of which is Mount Elbrus.
In short, the geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is determined by its location in the central part of the Stavropol Upland. The eastern part of the region consists of the Tersko-Kum lowland, and the east of the region is characterized by the presence of the Kumo-Manych depression.
Geological regime of the Scythian platform
A broader context for determining the geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is the young Scythian platform, which unites the entire northern part of the region. The geological regime and tectonic activity contributed to the destruction of low mountains in this territory as early as the Mesozoic. The plain formed then was slowly flooded by the sea, at the bottom of which deposits accumulated. Currently, the thickness of sedimentary rocks in the territory of this subject of the federation is from a thousand to one and a half thousand meters.
However, in the area of the Caspian lowland, the thickness of sediments increases sharply to ten kilometers. This part of the region is stable and inactive, its relief is distinguished by both elevated and low-lying plains.
Recreational and healing resources
The special landscape of the southern part of the region, where the Caucasian Mineral Waters are located, is formed by geological and deep volcanic activity, which together form unique hydro-mineral resources.
A variety of mineral springs allows the region to specialize in recreational activities, a distinctive feature of which is the year-round mode of operation of objects. Experts believe that in terms of quantity, variety and mineral composition of the water, the territories have no analogues in the whole of Eurasia. In addition to mineral waters, mud and clay are also actively used in medical activities.
The healing properties of local sources were already widely known in ancient times and left a mark in the mythology of most local peoples, as well as nomadic tribes, whose migration paths passed through the territory of the Caucasus. In the Nart epic, the drink refers to the "heroic drink", which is commonly associated with Narzan water.
Brief climate description
The geographical position of the Stavropol Territory determines the climatic regime and the regime of moisture distribution. The climate of the Stavropol Territory is characterized as temperate continental with moderately cold winters, long spring with returning frosts and hot summers. The total duration of the warm period when temperatures exceed 10 degrees Celsius is approximately seven months a year.
In some areas of the region, the annual amplitude of extreme temperatures reaches eighty degrees, and humidity decreases from south to north and from west to east. Moreover, the amount of summer precipitation exceeds the amount of winter almost twice. The mildest winters are observed in the central part of the Stavropol Upland, where temperatures rarely drop below -6 degrees.
Water resources of the region
A variety of climatic conditions, strong terrain and sharp elevation changes in the territory of the region have caused extremely uneven distribution of water resources over the territory of the region.
A description of the physical and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory would not be complete without mentioning the role played by glaciers and snow fields in the formation of its climate and water regime, located on the slopes of the Caucasian ranges.
Since the largest rivers originate in alpine glaciers, they are rich in water resources primarily in the mountainous regions of the region, while lowland regions may experience a clear shortage of water in the hot summer months.
The largest river, which is the main source of water in the region, is the Kuban River, which originates in the high mountain glacial fields of Elbrus. The most full-flowing tributary of the Kuban is the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River. The waters of the Kuban feed more than 60% of the territory of the Stavropol Territory.
The eastern part of the region is extremely poor in water resources, and the Kuma River is the only major source of life-giving moisture, from which several channels are allocated, supplying shallow rivers and reservoirs of important economic importance. Irrigated agriculture is actively developing along the shores of these canals and small rivers.
Nine kilometers south-east of Pyatigorsk, there is an oval-shaped, salt-free drainage lake Tambukan, which serves as a source of valuable sulfide silt mud. The healing mud of Tambukan has been used in medicine and cosmetology since 1886 and is very popular due to the unique composition and richness of the ingredients.
Natural zones and biomes of the region
The geographical location of the Stavropol Territory is characterized by an abundance of feather grass and fescue steppes with different herbs, as well as steppes and forest-steppes, spread out in the foothills and mountainous regions. Extensive cereal, wormwood, and solyanky herbaceous complexes cover the northeast and east of the region.
Forests occupy no more than 3% of the total area of the region, but their quality is very high. There are both coniferous and broad-leaved forests consisting of oaks, beech, spruce and pine.
In general, the climate and soil quality, as well as a fairly long vegetative period, favor farming. Almost seventy percent of all available territories of the region are plowed up. A distinctive feature of the Stavropol Upland is the highest quality of the soil layer, which consists mainly of southern and ordinary chernozems, as well as light chestnut and chestnut lands.
However, the widespread development of the soil resources of the region, the economic and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory, and intensive agriculture have negative consequences, among which there is a significant depletion of the fauna of the region.
Nature and resources
The fauna of the Stavropol Territory is extremely poor due to the high plowing of land. Wild animals are found mainly in the untouched steppe, but their number is small, and species diversity leaves much to be desired.
The wild world is represented mainly by small rodents that live in the steppe, reptiles and birds. It is rare to find a wolf, fox, saiga, or affection.
All of the above helps to conclude that the Stavropol Territory is not too rich in minerals, but it is promising in terms of the development of recreational tourism. A striking example of a favorable location is the physical and geographical position of the Inozemtsevo settlement of the Stavropol Territory, which is located in the city district of Zheleznovodsk. The surroundings of the village are famous for mineral water sources. It is noteworthy that the Scots involved in the mission were involved in the foundation of the settlement.