Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Cities, resorts of the Black Sea coast of the South of Russia

Black Sea coast of the Caucasus

The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is the Black Sea coastline from Anapa to Batumi, which includes a group of resorts, resort villages and medical areas of the Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia and Adjara. The strip is limited from the west by the Black Sea, and from the north and east by the Caucasian mountain range and its spurs. Its length is more than 700 km, its narrowest place is near Novorossiysk and Kabardinka; to the north and south, the strip expands, reaching 40 km in the Anapa region, and 60 km near Sochi. The height of the Main Caucasian Range already in the Tuapse region exceeds 1500 m, in the Sochi region - 3000 m, and further near Sukhumi it rises to 4000 m, then decreasing to the south along the Surami Range (1000 m) and again rising to 2000 m in the Batumi region (Adzhar mountains).

The coastal landscape is varied. Thanks to the specifics geographical location The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is divided into two large climatic zones: northern - from Anapa to Tuapse with features of a moderately warm climate of the Mediterranean type and southern - from Tuapse to Batumi with a climate of humid subtropics. Both of these areas (especially the northern one) are rich in sun. The number of sunshine hours ranges from 2400 in Gelendzhik to 1930 in Sochi and Batumi. Protection from the impacts of the continental climate (better in the southern part of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus) and the impact warm sea act beneficially on natural conditions these areas are specifically different in different seasons of the year. Winters are mild with an absolute predominance of frost-free weather (the average monthly temperatures of the coldest month are above 0°, reaching 1-6°). In the section between Novorossiysk and Tuapse, cold air currents breaking through the mountains cause strong, and sometimes even hurricane winds(boron), a sharp drop in temperature, heavy snowfalls, great excitement at sea, glaciation.

Due to the well-defined marine features of the climate, the interdiurnal variability, as well as the amplitude of daily fluctuations in air temperature, is insignificant in winter.

During the entire warm period, the conditions for various forms of climatotherapy and, in particular, aerotherapy are very favorable.

In June and October, in the northern part of the coast, the equivalent effective temperature (EET) is less than 16°. In the south of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus in July and August, there are frequent cases (up to 15%) when EET is above 23°, leading to a state of thermal overheating, which requires increased ventilation of aerosolaria. The latter is especially necessary for heliotherapy in the near noon hours, when the thermal sensation of a person is largely determined by the intense effect of solar radiation, equivalent to an increase in EET by 4-6 °.

The conditions of thalassotherapy on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus are very favorable, especially from July to September. During this period, the frequency of occurrence of meteorological complexes characterizing the comfortable conditions for sea bathing, when the water temperature in the sea is above 20 °, and the sea waves do not exceed 3 points, is everywhere 80%.

In October, the frequency of such complexes is most significant only at the most southern resorts(Sukhumi and Batumi resort area), where it is more than 50%. However, the possibilities of thalassotherapy here are somewhat reduced by passing cyclones.

A large amount of precipitation, significant swampiness of Colchis, as well as the constant effect of evaporation from the sea, cause high humidity in the south of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus in summer. In combination with elevated temperatures, this leads to the rather frequent formation of humid tropical weather, which is one of the typical features of the humid subtropical climate. Being very hot and very humid, causing a feeling of stuffiness and making it difficult for sweat to evaporate from the skin of a person, this weather is unfavorable for a number of diseases. In general, the climatic conditions of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus are favorable for climate therapy throughout the year.

On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is located large group seaside resorts, mainly climatic. The exceptions are Sochi and Sukhumi, which, due to the presence of mineral springs, are climatobalneological. The following is short description major resorts Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Abkhazia from Anapa to Batumi.

The following resorts are located on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory.

Anapa- seaside and mud foothill climatic, mainly children's resort of the Mediterranean type, on the northeastern shore of the Anapa Bay of the Black Sea, 52 km from Novorossiysk and 33 km from the railway station. Tunnel of the North Caucasian railway. e. Summer is very warm, dry, with a lot of sunny days (July 23). Winter is mild (in January 1°C), short, windy, with strong northeasters. The number of hours of sunshine per year is 2400. Precipitation per year is 420 mm. "Golden" beach with rare fine-grained sand. Widely used aeroheliothalassotherapy, mud therapy. The resort has a large number of children's sanatoriums, pioneer camps, a large resort clinic and a mud bath, rest houses, boarding houses, hotels.

Indications: diseases of the respiratory organs of a non-tuberculous nature, functional diseases of the nervous system, anemia, the consequences of poliomyelitis and diseases requiring mud therapy (organs of movement and support, peripheral nervous system, gynecological).

Kabardinka- climatic seaside foothill resort of the Mediterranean type, 14 km from Gelendzhik and 23 km from Novorossiysk. The summer is very warm (24° in August), there is a lot of sun, the winter is mild (3° in January), but there are northeasts, at which the temperature drops sharply. Beach, sea bathing, viticulture. The resort has sanatoriums for children and teenagers, rest houses.

Indications: non-tuberculous respiratory diseases and functional diseases of the nervous system; pulmonary tuberculosis (for children's sanatorium).

Gelendzhik- a climatic seaside foothill resort of the Mediterranean type, 43 km south of Novorossiysk. Resort area occupies the entire coast of the beautiful oval, almost closed Gelendzhik Bay, including Thin Cape (Solntsedar) and Thick Cape. The winter is very mild (4°C in February), the summer is warm (24°C in August) with a high frequency of hot weather. Autumn is much warmer than spring. Precipitation is 800 mm per year, most of it falls in the winter half of the year. The duration of sunshine is about 2400 hours a year. Nord-osts are frequent in winter. The best part of Gelendzhik in terms of climate and landscape is Thin Cape (Solntsedar). Sea breezes, freely passing through the cape, significantly moderate the summer heat, maintaining the constant cleanliness and freshness of the air. Tuberculosis sanatoriums are concentrated here, including a children's bone tuberculosis sanatorium. Beaches suitable for swimming are located mainly on Thin Cape. The main therapeutic agents: climatotherapy and sea bathing. In some sanatoriums, mud therapy is used. The resort has many sanatoriums, rest houses, boarding houses, a resort clinic.

Indications: tuberculosis of the lungs, bones, joints and glands (for tuberculosis sanatoriums); respiratory diseases of a non-tuberculous nature, functional diseases of the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases with circulatory failure not higher than IIA degree, obesity, gout, anemia. In sanatoriums with mud baths, there are concomitant diseases of the peripheral nervous system, organs of movement and gynecological.

The Gelendzhik resort area also includes the following resorts: False Gelendzhik - a small resort village, 12 km from Gelendzhik. Climatic conditions the same as in Gelendzhik, but due to the high mountain range, the action of the north-east is weaker. Beach 18 m wide. Rest houses.

Dzhankhot - 15 km south of False Gelendzhik. Rich vegetation. Pine forest(more than 100 hectares) and a wide beach. Rest houses.

Arkhipo-Osipovka is a resort village, 60 km south of Gelendzhik, with convenient beach. The surroundings and slopes of the mountains are covered with rich vegetation. Sanatorium for patients with functional diseases of the nervous system and respiratory diseases of a non-tuberculous nature.

Dzhubga- climatic seaside resort and village, 77 km north-west. Tuapse. Sand beach. Holiday House.

Novo-Mikhailovskoe- climatic seaside resort and village, 53 km north-west. Tuapse, with a sandy beach. Large sanatorium pioneer camp of the RSFSR "Eaglet".

Nebug- climatic seaside resort, 27 km north-west. Tuapse. Climate and nature of humid subtropics. Beach made of small pebbles. Sanatoriums and rest houses.

Golovinka- climatic seaside resort, 49 km from Tuapse and 31 km from the village of Lazarevskoye. Climate of humid subtropics. The beach is made of small, well-rolled pebbles. Sanatorium for patients with functional diseases of the nervous system and upper respiratory tract.

Sochi- see Sochi.

The following resorts are located on the territory of Abkhazia.

Leselidze- climatic seaside resort, 14 km north of Gagra and 48 km from Sochi. Climate and vegetation of humid subtropics. Sea bathing. Rest houses and children's sanatorium.

Gagra- climatic seaside foothill resort of humid subtropics, 60 km from Sochi and 80 km from Sukhumi. It occupies a narrow coastal strip of the Black Sea and the nearest slopes of the Gagrinsky ridge, steeply descending to the sea. The slopes of the mountains are covered with dense forest and cut through by gorges, along which mountain rivers descend to the sea. The summer is very warm (in August 23 "), with a predominance of sunny weather, the winter is mild (in January 6 °). Autumn is warmer than spring - Precipitation per year is 1410 mm. In July and August, with high humidity, it is stuffy. Sea bathing from May to October, and sometimes until the middle of November.There are many sanatoriums, boarding houses, rest houses, and a resort polyclinic in Gagra.

Indications: functional diseases of the nervous system, diseases of the cardiovascular system with circulatory failure not higher than II A degree, non-tuberculous respiratory organs, metabolic disorders (obesity, gout), anemia.

Musser- a seaside climatic resort in the Gudauta region, 22 km from Gagra and 10 km from Cape Pitsunda, in the valley of the river. Musser. Climate and vegetation of humid subtropics. Fine sandy beach, the bottom of the sea is gently sloping, convenient for swimming. in Musser winter time warmer compared to other resorts of Abkhazia.

Pitsunda- a climatic seaside resort on the Pitsundsky Cape, which protrudes far into the sea, 20 km south of Gagra. Climate of humid subtropics. Solid pine grove stretches along the seashore. Large boarding house, dachas and camp sites. Sand and pebble beach.

Gudauta- seaside foothill resort of humid subtropics, 37 km from Sukhumi and 43 km from Gagra. The climate is similar to that of Sukhumi (see below), but somewhat colder. Sea bathing from May to October. Sanatoriums and rest houses. The indications are the same as for the Gagra resort.

New Athos (Akhali-Afoni) - climatic foothill seaside resort, 28 km to the north-west. from Sukhumi and 62 from Gagra. Climate of humid subtropics. It is located in a narrow coastal valley on terraces formed by the nearest mountains. Summers are warm (in August 24°), winters are very mild (in January 6°). Best time year - autumn. Sea bathing lasts from May to October. Sanatoriums, rest houses and a resort polyclinic. The indications are the same as for Gagra.

Sukhumi- climatic and balneological seaside resort of the subtropical zone, in the depths of a vast bay of the Black Sea. Summers are very warm (24° in August) and humid; July and August are stuffy and windy. Winter is very mild (in January 6°), sunny, with a lot of precipitation. The best time of the year is autumn. The number of hours of sunshine per year is 2240. The annual precipitation is about 1460 mm. IN last years in Sukhumi, mineral springs of various chemical compositions have been developed: drilling rig No. 1 with nitrogen-thermal (42°) sulfate-chloride sodium-calcium water with a mineralization of 1.6 g/l; drilling rig No. 2 with weak hydrogen sulfide methane chloride sodium water with a salinity of 15 g/l and a temperature of 29°; drilling rig No. 3 with methane-nitrogen chloride sodium water with a salinity of 10.5 g/l and a temperature of 26°; drilling rig No. 4 with nitrogen sulfate-chloride-hydrocarbonate sodium water with a salinity of 1.27 g/l and a temperature of 39°. The spring water is used mainly in the form of baths. In Sukhumi there is a branch of the Georgian Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy, a number of sanatoriums, rest houses, boarding houses and a resort polyclinic.

Indications are the same as for Gagra, as well as diseases of the organs of movement of a non-tuberculous nature, peripheral nervous system and gynecological.

Gulripshi- a resort located 9 km from Sukhumi and 3 km from the sea at an altitude of 120 m. The climate is similar to the climate of Sukhumi. A large sanatorium for patients with active forms of pulmonary tuberculosis.

On the territory of the Adzharian ASSR there are resorts: Makhiidzhauri, Zeleny Mys, Tsikhis-Dziri, Kobuleti (see Batumi resort area).

In anticipation of the peak of summer holiday season, many tourists are at the final stage of choosing their place summer holiday on the sea. Every year, holidays on the Black Sea coast become more and more comfortable. The price range for accommodation in local hotels, boarding houses, guest houses is quite wide and is available to vacationers with different income levels. The following is an overview of the resorts, which will demonstrate the best places to stay on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.

This famous city formed a whole complex of resorts called "Greater Sochi" (Adler, Dagomys, Anchor Gap, Lazarevskoye). Comfortable hotels, various entertainment Sochi attracts Russian vacationers for any wallet. In terms of a beach holiday, one of the best places to relax on the Black Sea in the area Greater Sochi, there will be a rest in Adler. This resort has a wonderful climate and picturesque nature, and its territory is excellently landscaped and has all the necessary infrastructure for good rest on the sea coast.

The best children's resort in Russia is Anapa. A beautiful sandy beach and various health facilities await children from all over Russia.

Arkhipo-Osipovka is a village with beautiful beaches. It is an active recreation center with developed infrastructure. The village has almost no cheap housing for living, which will be a negative feature for many vacationers.

Divnomorsk is a fairly well-known resort village with a variety of hotels for every taste. Cafes, beaches, water park invariably attract Russians to this village. It is located close to railway(station in the city of Novorossiysk) and from airlines (airport in Gelendzhik).

beautiful place for holidays with young children. There are kilometers of sandy beaches and many hotels located here.

Nebuga nice place, located in a subtropical climate, the coast of which is blown by sea breezes. Nebug attracts vacationers with its beaches, as well as a fairly developed infrastructure. It has various cafes and hotels, as well as a water park and an ice palace.

Dzhubga. This village is located on federal highway Russian M4 and is popular among vacationers because of the many cheap hotels. Dzhubga is a "paradise" for tourists who go on vacation in their own cars.

Big Utrish. This place is suitable for a comfortable stay, although the resort infrastructure itself is relatively young. In it, tourists admire the mountains and picturesque lagoons.

This resort boasts a developed network of hotels (there are even five-star hotels). The climate on its territory is quite dry (precipitation is rare). Tourists can rest in Kabardinka until November.

Tuapse- is one of the most famous cities south of Russia. It houses some of the best Russian hotels. The city has 3 beaches. But because of a large number visiting tourists often choose small, quiet villages located near Tuapse.

Black Sea coast of the Caucasus

The area covers the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus from Anapa to the border with Abkhazia. This is one of the most developed recreational areas of the country: the total capacity of recreational enterprises is the highest in the country. The share of jobs in most of the district's enterprises significantly exceeds the share of the population. The enterprises of the region are focused on serving the population from other regions of the country, including the most distant ones - Siberian and Far East. The all-Russian specialization of the region can be defined as medical and health-improving.

The area stretches along the coast and represents an almost continuous strip of resort towns and resort villages (Anapa, Tuapse, Sochi, Gelendzhik, etc.), interconnected by an electrified railway, highway and flights of pleasure boats and motor ships. The district receives more than 5 million people a year, while the load is growing rapidly.

There are large resort formations in the region. Among them, the leading position is occupied by Greater Sochi and Anapa. At the same time, the Black Sea-Caucasus region is one of the most promising areas for new recreational construction. After all, a significant part of the coast is still very poorly developed. In the future, large-scale construction is planned in the Gelendzhik region, this second after Greater Sochi Black Sea resort Russia.

On the territory of the district, medical and health-improving cycles are implemented with the greatest efficiency. recreational activities. The first of them is distinguished by an even distribution of vacationers throughout the year, the second has a clearly pronounced seasonal outbreak - the typical bathing season for it (water temperature 18 ° or more) usually lasts from mid-May to the end of October. On the entire coast, winter is considered very mild, and in this respect the region has no analogues in Russia. Unlike other southern coastal regions, the Caucasian-Black Sea region is characterized by significantly large quantity precipitation.

The main recreational resources of the region are the sea and beaches. At the same time, their high development is currently typical only for the territory of resort cities - Greater Sochi, Anapa, Tuapse and the villages adjacent to them. A significant part of the Black Sea coast has not yet been developed.

There are large reserves of balneological resources on the territory of the region. Among the mineral springs, Matsesta waters are most intensively used - hydrogen sulfide sodium chloride waters of various mineralization and with various concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, containing lithium, nitrogen and a small amount of carbon dioxide. Resources of therapeutic mud are concentrated in the northern part of the region. For purposes spa treatment in Anapa and Gelendzhik, silt and silt-clay healing mud from the lake Chemburgsky and imported mud from the lake. Golubnitsky.

On the territory of the Black Sea-Caucasus region, one recreational connection was formed - Greater Sochi and several large plants - Anapa, Tuapse, Gelendzhik. One of the largest recreational connections in Russia - the resort agglomeration of Greater Sochi consists of six large recreational complexes (Lazarevskoye, Dagomys, Sochi, Matsesta, Khosta, Adler). They differ in the level of development and recreational functions.

Adler has one of the largest airports in Russia, serving all the resorts of Greater Sochi. All resort formations are interconnected by sea passenger lines and suburban electric trains. Greater Sochi has a unified construction base, a unified network of trade and procurement bases and logistics bases, unified excursion sites (Krasnaya Polyana, Caucasian Reserve and etc.). The integrity of Greater Sochi is also manifested in the administrative design of territorial unity, which is secured by the existence of four grassroots administrative regions the cities of Sochi - Central, Lazarevsky, Adler and Khostinsky.

Greater Sochi belongs to the traditional recreational areas of the country; its development began at the end of the 19th century, when the first dachas and boarding houses appeared here. Starting from 1902, the Matsesta resort began to operate. Already in 1919, the Sochi-Matsesta region was declared a resort of all-Union significance. It was from this time that a new era began in Russia in the Soviet sanatorium construction. In Sochi, in the 1920s, the first Soviet sanatoriums were built - a sanatorium-hotel for 150 people and Mountain air» for 100 seats. In the 1930s, the first district planning was developed for one of the main and rapidly developing sections of the Sochi region - Matsesta. The capacity of the resort's health resorts in the 1930s increased almost 9 times compared to 1913, from 10,000 beds in 1913 to 86,000 in 1936.

At present, Greater Sochi stretches for more than 140 km along the coastline. On its territory there are more than 50 sanatoriums, about 40 boarding houses and rest houses, numerous recreation centers and pioneer camps. First, it is the largest health complex countries that annually let in about 3 million vacationers, in the system of occupations of which the bathing and beach cycle of recreational activities dominates. Secondly, this is one of the largest medical centers in Russia, whose institutions annually receive more than 300 thousand people. Significant development has received sanatorium-resort service. The resort has 300 diagnostic and treatment rooms, 32 hydropathic clinics, 7 mud baths, 17 winter swimming pools, etc.

Huge work is being done by the medical institutions of Matsesta, the resort is equipped with 8 bathroom buildings and hydropathic facilities. Thirdly, this is the most important excursion center(over 2.5 million tourists). Fourthly, it is a major tourist and sports center (over 100,000 people spend their holidays at camp sites and sports camps every year). Many athletes (footballers, cyclists, athletes, etc.) undergo pre-season training here. Fifth, it is prominent Cultural Center countries - film festivals are held here annually. At the same time, Greater Sochi is a place of short-term recreation for residents of the Krasnodar Territory, especially cities located far from the sea (Krasnodar, Maykop, Armavir, Kropotkin, etc.).

Recreational services are the leading branch of the economy, which determines the emergence of new service enterprises that complement specialized recreational enterprises. A large recreational and economic complex has been formed and continues to develop here, in which over 90% of the able-bodied population is already employed. At the same time, there are more than 28 thousand medical personnel in Greater Sochi alone. The main part of the temporary population is vacationers who arrived without vouchers (about 70%). It is characteristic that of the total number of vacationers, about 60% arrive by plane and only 38% - by rail. The role of motor transport is insignificant (2%). About 77% of vacationers stay at the resort for more than 10 days. Unlike other seaside resorts in Russia, the territory of Greater Sochi is relatively little used for short-term recreation.

The most important Natural resources used in Greater Sochi is the climate, the sea with beaches and mineral water. Especially difficult problems arise in connection with the use of beaches. Currently, there are 22 city beaches in Sochi, designed for the simultaneous reception of 4.4 thousand people. However, in fact, their one-time workload reaches 9.5 thousand people. In recent years, work has been underway to create artificial beaches; more than 6 km of artificial beaches have been created on the section between Tuapse and Adler. Within individual districts, the area of ​​beaches is unevenly distributed: Lazarevskoye accounts for 20%, Dagomys - 2.2, Central Sochi - 32.3, Khosta - 1.5, Adler - 44%.

The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus includes the coastline of the Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia and Georgia and extends from Anapa to Batumi.

Anapa is the owner of the unspoken title of the most popular resort for families and children's recreation. In Anapa wide sandy beaches and flat bottom. The water here warms up quickly with the beginning of the season and it is relatively safe for children to swim. In Anapa, the sun shines almost all year round, there are more sunny days here than in any other city in Russia.


Novorossiysk is largest port Russia, the Naval base of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is located here, and Novorossiysk has great potential as a resort city. If you take beach holiday, then you can relax both within the city and in the suburbs of Novorossiysk. In Novorossiysk itself, the sightseeing and cultural component and night life cities.


Gelendzhik is a universal resort city. There is everything for all categories of vacationers. Gelendzhik is suitable for both family vacation as well as for entertainment or cultural activities. Hundreds of hotels, dozens of different beaches. Gelendzhik will please everyone.


Tuapse is located almost in the middle of the Black Sea line of the Caucasus and is one of the most important cities in Russia, it is a strategic transport and port hub. In general, Tuapse is not a resort, but this does not stop thousands of people from coming here just to relax. Tuapse has a peculiar charm, here it is not like in other cities of the Black Sea coast - it is much calmer, more romantic or something ...


Lazarevskoye or Lazarevka is a resort area of ​​Sochi and is notable for its climate and weather. Lazarevskoye is completely protected by a mountain range and has its own favorable microclimate. Coastline stretched for more than 7 kilometers with a diverse range of entertainment services.


Sochi is a federal resort. There is literally everything here. This city welcomes guests all year round and has something to offer for any request. It is difficult to name something that is not in Sochi. And the most remarkable thing is that you can come here all year round. Sochi hosted winter Olympic Games 2014, the Confederation Cup and the FIFA World Cup will be held.


Gagra is one of the most popular resorts Abkhazia. Gagra strikes with the beauty of its nature, the cleanest beaches and water, which heal not only the body, but also the soul. There is really something to see near Gagra, here you can include the Gegsky waterfall, Lake Ritsa, the village of Lykhny, which are the most beautiful places on the planet.


Pitsunda is a legendary resort Soviet Union, which is located in the Pitsunda Reserve, where the largest grove of relic pines is located, therefore, the aroma of pines and the healing effect of sea air are remarkable for Pitsunda. Pitsunda is located in a bay, so there are never storms here. This the resort is suitable for all categories of vacationers - those who prefer family, or beach, or youth types of recreation.


Sukhum is the capital of Abkhazia, ancient city, which was founded before our era and has a long spa tradition. Sukhum has a very rich nature and a favorable climate. Also in Sukhum there are many attractions, such as the Monkey Nursery, Botanical Garden, Bagrat Castle, Great Abkhaz Wall and others. After the Georgian-Abkhaz war, Sukhum is in decline, but that only this city could not survive.


Batumi is a Georgian city, the capital of Adjara. Batumi is modern international resort. This resort town is very versatile and is available for recreation all year round.

Other significant cities in the region include Gudauta, Ochamchira, and Poti. In addition, the resort value are such settlements like Adler, Arkhipo-Osipovka, Abrau-Dyurso, Dagomys, Divnomorskoye, Dzhubga, Lermontovo, Khosta, Kabardinka, Loo, Novomikhailovsky, Matsesta, New Athos, Gulrypsh, Anaklia, Ganmukhuri, Kobuleti, Makhindzhauri, Gonio, Sarpi, Vardane, Tsikhisdziri and Chakvi. There are dozens of different settlements on the Black Sea coast. Write in the comments about unnamed places and where in general it is best to relax on the Black Sea.

The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus really deserves only superlatives in assessing its recreational potential. It is characterized by exceptionally high saturation with cognitive objects, both natural and cultural-historical. Here there are the most favorable conditions for health improvement and sports tourism. The 350-kilometer strip of coast is almost entirely built up with sanatoriums, boarding houses, tourist bases and hotels - the density of recreation infrastructure is the highest in Russia.

All this predetermines the all-Russian and international significance of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and allows it to successfully perform health-improving, educational, sports and therapeutic functions.

Location.

From the Kerch Strait to the border with Abkhazia, along the Black Sea coast stretches the most popular area for recreation, treatment and tourism in Russia - the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The coast of the Caucasus is the only place in our country where the warm sea, picturesque palm trees and high mountains coexist. Therefore, here, on the narrow edge of the subtropical sea coast between the mountains and the sea, millions of people annually come together, thirsty for sea bathing, hot sun and southern beauties. Anapa, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Sochi - these alluring names are always associated with health and the best rest.

The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is the southern outpost of Russia. It is located at the same geographical latitude (43° -45° N. latitude) as the resorts of the Adriatic, the Italian and French Riviera and in many respects resembles them in its appearance.

Administratively, this region includes the Tuapse and Gelendzhik regions of the Krasnodar Territory, the resort cities of Sochi and Anapa.

Climate, weather.

The most important resort factor of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is the humid subtropical climate of the Mediterranean type. The period with the most comfortable weather conditions for recreation lasts here from May 7 - 10 to October 20 - 25. During these periods, during each month, more than 20 days are observed with the most favorable weather for rest and treatment: air temperature and humidity, wind speed and precipitation, cloudiness and sunshine are in the optimal ratio for a person: the sun shines 2200 - 2400 hours a year, during the warm period there are only 8-12 cloudy days. The Black Sea chain of ridges of the Greater Caucasus surrounds the coastal strip like an amphitheater, protecting it from the penetration of cold winds from the north and east. On the contrary, moist sea air comes freely from the west, softening the winter cold and summer heat. Along with cyclones, a large amount of precipitation comes here from the sea.

The climate of the Black Sea region is characterized by mild, unstable weather, rainy winters with average monthly air temperatures of +2, +8 ° С and very warm - with temperatures of +20, +24 ° С - summer, during which stable clear or slightly cloudy dry weather prevails. Daytime temperatures even in winter sometimes rise to +15, +20° С, and in summer - up to + 30, + 32° С. However, the heat is easily tolerated, thanks to the breezes and the proximity of the mountains. Average annual air temperatures - +12, +14° С - are the highest in Russia.

The annual amount of precipitation increases from 600 - 700 mm in the north to 1500 - 1600 mm in the south of the Black Sea region, and even up to 2500 mm on the slopes of the mountains. But this should not confuse vacationers: most of the precipitation falls during the cold season - from November to March. The driest months are May, June, July. Moreover, in summer the rain does not cause much trouble - 1-2 hours of warm rain with a thunderstorm, and the sun shines again. After rain, the air is filled with the aroma of refreshed flowers and the tart, healing smell of pine and cypress needles.

The shores of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus are characterized by weak indentation, simplicity and smooth outlines. In many places there are abrasion (eroded) coasts. Such, for example, is the section between Sochi and Matsesta. With the erosion of the coast and landslides, an active struggle is being waged. Breakwaters, protective walls, groins - a distinctive feature of coastal landscapes. In some places, the spurs of the mountain ranges come straight to the shore, forming capes and bizarre rocks protruding into the sea: Utrish, Indokopas, Kodosh, Sail, Kiseleva rock are interesting objects constantly visited by tourists. Between Anapa and Khosta there are many rias bays, which arose as a result of the lowering of the coast and filled with sediment from numerous mountain rivers. Coastal marine pebbly plains, advanced into the sea in the form of wide flat capes (Adlerovsky, Sochi-Bytkh), are also formed as a result of the accumulating activity of rivers, which carry a huge mass of detrital material from the mountains. Life-friendly rias coasts and wide capes are almost entirely built up and occupied by lush evergreen subtropical vegetation.

North of Anapa, the coast is different. Low sandy estuary shores are common here. Some of the estuaries managed to lace up sandy spits, and turn into salt lakes. The Blagoveshchenskaya and Bugazskaya spits are unique natural formations in the north of the region. A little further to the north, on the southern steep coast of the Taman Peninsula, capes Panagia, Zhelezny Rog and the ancient Tmutarakan located between them are of great interest to tourists.

The features of the Black Sea beaches are associated with the nature of the coasts. From Adler to Olginka, almost everywhere, gravel and pebble beaches stretch in a strip of 20 to 80 meters. Between Gelendzhik and Anapa, narrow pebble beaches predominate, and to the north of Anapa, yellow sandy and white beaches sparkle in the sun. shell beaches, wide and very comfortable for families with children. Where rocks and piles of stone blocks of boulders come straight to the water, there are no natural beaches. But even here, in the sections Divnomorskoe - Dzhankhot, Dzhubga - Agria, Loo - Dagomys can always be found among the rocks comfortable descent to the sea and hide on a rocky or pebbly patch. Such an intimate wild vacation also has its own charm.

A unique feature of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is a dissected relief, combined with greenery and multicolored peculiar vegetation. Green vegetation, bright colors of flowers and fruits, dissected relief together create a unique landscape diversity, have a beneficial, calming effect on a person. The mountains themselves and the natural objects associated with them: rocks, gorges, sinkholes and caves, waterfalls on mountain rivers- attract climbers, speleologists, hikers.

Low narrow leveled areas near the sea are occupied by Colchis chestnut forests with evergreen undergrowth and an abundance of exotic subtropical plants: palm trees, yucca, acacia, magnolias, lianas. In the north of the region, rich herb steppes approach directly to the sea. Everywhere there are orchards and vineyards, plantations of citrus, tea, tung.

Often, right at the sea coast, among the villages and urban areas, individual low (400 - 800 m) mountains and short ridges rise, covered with majestic oak and hornbeam forests: Plyakho, Flatakh, Mosye, Suetkha, Akhun. At a distance of 10-20 km from the sea, ridges of medium height (800-200 m) stretch: Alek, Iegosh, Amuko, Tkhab, on the slopes of which beech and spruce-fir forests grow. Ridges and individual massifs rise even further in the east. high mountains Main Caucasian Range: Chugush (3238 m), Achishkho (2391 m), Fisht (2867 m). From the observation platforms you can see rocky peaks and glaciers located on the slopes. Snow-covered mountain slopes in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana can be used for skiing from November to May.

The diversity of the flora of this region is striking. About 6,000 plant species grow here. Among them there are more than a hundred such plants that are found only in the Black Sea region. These are, for example, yew, boxwood, Pitsunda pine. There are also many relic plants here - witnesses of bygone geological epochs - cherry laurel, Pontic rhododendron, Colchis holly. These and many other amazing plants can be admired in numerous parks and squares of coastal cities, during excursions to arboretums and forest parks, to the unique Khosta yew-boxwood grove.