Caucasian Riviera

Streets of Batumi

The Caucasian Riviera is located along the eastern shores of the Black Sea under the Caucasus Mountains. It runs from Novorossiysk, Russia to Sarpi, Georgia. The area is divided into five regions, of which four (Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo, and Abkhazia) are located in Georgia, and one (the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Krai) is in Russia. The Caucasian Riviera is 600 km (370 mi) long, 350 km (220 mi) of which belongs to Russia and 250 km (160 mi) to Georgia. The coast is located on the same latitude as the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera, New York City and the Korean Peninsula.

History

The "Caucaisian Riviera" resort in Sochi, ca. 1909

The Caucasian Riviera has been populated since ancient times. The region was known as Colchis in Classical antiquity.

Russia took over much of the Caucasus region after the Russo-Turkish War, and Russians began displacing or killing much of the local Circassian population. Russian developers in the early 20th century conceived of the area as a "Caucasian Riviera" and began building hotels and spas. The industry remained underdeveloped until the 1930s, when Sochi became the main Russian tourist destination.

After the break up of the Soviet Union the Caucasian Riviera has lost its popularity because of the War in Abkhazia and the general economic instability in the region. Today the Eastern coast of the Black Sea witnesses its revival. Large significance may be given to Batumi's renovations and 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi.

Climate

Black Sea coast near Gonio, Georgia.

From Novorossiysk to Tuapse, the average temperature in January is 3 °C (37 °F), and during July it's 23 °C (73 °F). To the south of Tuapse the climate is humid subtropical because of the mountains rising more than 1000 meters above sea level. The mountains don't let the humidity of the Black Sea move east which creates a micro climate with an average temperature of 5 °C (41 °F) in January, and 28 °C (82 °F) in July. North of Tuapse, the average rainfall is 500 mm (20 in) a year. South of Tuapse down to Adjara it is 2,800 mm (110 in), most of which falls during winter. Average sunshine is between 2200 and 2400 hours and only an average of 12 days during summer are rainy.

Economy

At the beach in Dagomys

The economy of the area is based on tourism, agriculture and transportation. Tourist season lasts from the middle of May to the middle of October. The major touristic centers are located in Adjara, Abkhazia and Sochi. There are three ski areas near the coast.

Agriculture is a significant part of the economy with a variety of vegetables, cereals and fruits grown in the area. Tea growing is common in the region, and the Caucasus Mountains are one of the northernmost areas of the world where tea is grown.

The Black Sea is also called the "dead sea" because there is no life below 200 meters. However, several species of fish can still be caught in the sea, so fishing forms a part of the region's economy.

Some of the area's important ports are Batumi, Poti, Sukhumi, Sochi, Tuapse and Novorossiysk.