Russia: The Caucasuses

The Caucasus

Russia & The Caucasus– Physical Geography The physical features of Russia and the Caucasus include plains, mountains, and rivers. South of Russia is a region known as the Caucasus, the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The region is named for the Caucasus Mountains. Includes three smaller countries—Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan

Russia & The Caucasus– Physical Geography Climate and plant life change from north to south in Russia and vary in the Caucasus. Caucasus countries are warmer than Russia. Warm and wet along Black Sea Hot and Dry in much of Azerbaijan Energy Resources Main energy resources include coal, hydroelectricity, natural gas, and oil. Russia and Azerbaijan have large oil and gas fields. Resource Management Poorly managed for a long time Many remaining resources are only in remote Siberia.

The Caucasus Located where Europe blends into Asia, the Caucasus reflects a range of cultural influences. Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols have all ruled or invaded the area. Russians took control of much of the region in the early 1800s. After World War I Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia gained independence—but not for long. By the early 1920s they were part of the vast Soviet Union. Finally in 1991 the Caucasus republics achieved true independence when the Soviet Union fell.

The Caucasus Caucasus region has a long history, but its countries do not. Young countries have had to create new governments and economies since the fall of the Soviet Union Ethnic unrest and conflicts have slowed progress. Caucasus republics have similar governments. An elected president governs each nation. An appointed prime minister runs each government. An elected parliament, or legislature, makes the laws. Georgia Lies in the Caucasus Mountains east of the Black Sea Capital: Tbilisi About 70 percent are ethnic Georgians and most belong to Georgian Orthodox Church. Struggles with unrest and civil war and ethnic conflict Economy based on services, farming, and mining

The Caucasus Armenia Small, landlocked country south of Georgia Capital: Yerevan Almost all the people are ethnic Armenian and most people belong to the Armenian Orthodox Church. Fought bitter territorial war with Azerbaijan in the 1990s, and the issue remained unsettled as of the early 2000s Diamond processing is a growing industry. Azerbaijan East of Armenia Capital: Baku About 90 percent are Azeri and most are Muslim. Many refugees as a result of its conflict with Armenia Economy based on oil, found along and under the Caspian Sea Corruption is high and many people are poor.