Sochi is recognized as the largest resort and tourist center in Russia. The sea and mountains of Sochi have been attracting guests from all over the country and around the world for many decades.
Sochi: geography
The location of the city is unique: it occupies the coastline between the Black Sea and the Caucasus from the Main Caucasian Range in the north to the border with the Republic of Abkhazia in the south.
Thus, Sochi, with a length of more than 145 km, is the longest city in Russia and the second longest city in the world after Mexico City. Occupying such a vast territory from north to south, it has a diverse climate and topography. The height of the mountains in Sochi is different. If in the northern part of the city, in the area of the Psezuapse River, the average height of the mountains is 1500 m, then to the south the mountains become higher (up to 3200 m) and further from the coast. This feature of the relief affects the air circulation in the city and the climate in general. There is no winter here that envelops the whole country for many months. Here it is soft, moist and relatively warm. Summer is moderately hot, the beach season lasts about half a year.
Sochi: historical background
The Black Sea coastline has attracted different peoples from time immemorial. People settled here according to dataarchaeological excavations dating back to the Paleolithic era. Numerous dolmens - mysterious monuments of the Bronze Age (about 3 thousand years BC) - are located where the mountains are in Sochi. A few centuries before the new era, the territory of the present city fell under the influence of Greece, which founded the colony of Dioscuria. At the beginning of a new era, Byzantium dominated here. A temple of the 6th century, discovered in the southern part of Sochi, is known. There are temples of 10-11 centuries in Khost and Loo. Further in the history of the territory of the present city, the influence of the Ottoman Empire begins. At the beginning of the 19th century, the northern part of Sochi was ceded to the Russian Empire, from which the Russian development of this territory began. After the discovery of the Caucasian Riviera, the entire Russian aristocracy became aware of what mountains are in Sochi and what kind of sea there is. During the years of the USSR, Sochi actively developed as one of the main Soviet sea resorts. In recent years, the city has noticeably changed, it has a developed infrastructure, offers high-quality service that can compete in leading European resorts.
Mountains of Sochi
Sochi has amazing natural resources. Mountains of Sochi - Caucasian ranges that amaze the imagination with their grandeur.
In this wonderful corner of Russia you can meet the highest peaks, and dense forests, and noisy rivers, and calm streams, and beautiful meadows. The question, what mountains are in Sochi, requires a detailed answer. The most famous peaks after the 2014 Olympics were the ridges of the Krasnaya Polyana region. Tabunnaya - a mountain of not the highest height (about 2300 meters) - a picturesque place to relaxwith family. Perhaps one of the most stunning views opens from the top of Achishkho to the sea, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, mountains. The photos of these beauties are breathtaking. The majestic Agepsta, like a border guard, stands guard over two states - Russia and Abkhazia. This is the highest point (more than 3200 m) in the Sochi mountains. Aibga and Psekhako are huge mountain ranges where the main ski resorts of Sochi are located. "Claw", as Mount Bzerpi is called for its resemblance to a cat's claw, is a great option for an active holiday for a few days.
The beauty of the Sochi mountains: waterfalls and caves
Climbing the mountains of Sochi will appeal to experienced climbers, amateur rock climbers, and tourists who simply want to take a break from the hustle and bustle. The mountains of Sochi have many unique natural creations: waterfalls, mountain rivers and lakes, gorges, meadows. Excursions are organized daily at Sochi resorts, for example, to the Agursky or Orekhovo waterfalls. Unusual Boxwood Water Cascades, located in the thickets of the unique evergreen boxwood.
Mysterious and bewitching are hiking through the caves, which are rich in the mountains of Sochi. The waters of the noisy and fast-flowing Mzymta formed the Akhshtyrskaya cave thousands of years ago, where traces of primitive man were found. Vorontsovskie caves located in the upper reaches of the Kudepsta River. They are the largest cave labyrinth on the planet, where traces of ancient people were also found. Mount Akhun, located between the Khosta and Matsesta rivers in the resort, is not only a popular observation deck, from whereoffers a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city and the Black Sea. About 30 caves were discovered on the Akhun ridge. A karst cave lurks in its southern massif. There is also a protected grove with yew and boxwood.
The beauty of the Sochi mountains: lakes and gorges
There are beautiful mountain lakes in the Sochi mountains.
There are several special lakes on the slopes of Jitaku. They have an avalanche formation. One of them is Dvulikoye, it miraculously connects the Black Sea through the Mzymta River and the Sea of Azov through the Urushten River, which flows into the Kuban. Near Mount Loyub, in the southern part of the mountain range, there is Lake Kardyvach. This is the most visited body of water in the resort. After Lake Abrau, Kardyvach is the second largest in the entire Krasnodar Territory. This lake feeds the longest Black Sea river - Mzymta. Surprising is the lake, hidden deep in the mountains opposite Engelman's meadow. The water in it is the purest: a patterned bottom is visible everywhere. A few kilometers from the highest mountain of the entire Krasnodar Territory - Tsakhvoa - there is a small picturesque lake with the cute name Klumbochka.
Sea of Sochi
Sochi is not imagined without the majestic mountain peaks, just as the city is not seen without the enchanting Black Sea. There are more than 130 pebble beaches here. During the beach season, the coastline of the city is especially crowded. It organizes all kinds of entertainment for local residents and tourists: scooters, parachutes, diving, boat trips and much more. The Sochi embankment also stretches along the coastline. She isis a walking area in several tiers, where you can enjoy the beauty of greenery and flowers, visit restaurants and cafes, look into souvenir shops, have fun on the rides.
The sea, mountains, rivers, healing springs make Sochi a truly exceptional resort. Perhaps there are few similar places in the world where a special climate, a unique culture and a thousand-year history are so harmoniously combined.
