Geography of Abkhazia

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Map of Abkhazia

Abkhazia is a region in South Caucasus. It is a de facto independent republic, but internationally is mostly recognized as part of Georgia.

Geography

Abkhazia covers an area of about 8,660 square kilometres (3,340 sq mi)

Samegrelo; and on the south and southwest by the Black Sea. The topography is varied as it ranges from the lowlands around the Black Sea
to the high peaks in the north.

The region is extremely mountainous (nearly 75% is classified as mountains or foothills) and settlement is largely confined to the coast and a number of deep, well-watered valleys.

Dombai-Ulgen
(4,046 m or 13,274 ft).

Landscape

Ritsa lake

The landscapes of Abkhazia range from coastal forests (

beech), or by citrus and tea
plantations.

The world's deepest known cave, Krubera (Voronja) Cave, is located in Abkhazia's western Caucasus mountains. The latest survey (as of September 2007) has measured the vertical span of this cave system as 2,191 m (7,188 ft) between its highest and lowest explored points.

Gagra Range

The foothills, up to an elevation of 600 meters (1,969 ft) above sea level, are covered by

fir. The mixed forest zone is home to some of the tallest trees in Europe and the world, where some specimens of the Nordmann Fir (especially around Lake Ritsa) reach heights of over 70 meters (230 ft). The zone extending 1,800 to 2,900 meters (5,906 to 9,514 ft) above sea level is made up of either subalpine forests or alpine
meadows. Territory lying above 2,900 meters (9,514 ft) is mainly covered by eternal snows and glaciers.

Climate

View of the Caucasus mountains from Pitsunda cape

Because of Abkhazia's proximity to the Black Sea, its climate is very mild, considering the northern latitude. The Caucasus Mountains are greatly responsible for moderating the region's climate, as they shield Abkhazia from cold northerly winds.

The coastal areas of the Republic have a subtropical climate, where the average annual temperature in most regions is around 15 °C (59 °F). Average winter (January) temperatures vary between 4 and 6 °C (39.2 and 42.8 °F), while average summer (July) temperatures are anywhere between 22 and 23 °C (71.6 and 73.4 °F). The coastal territory rarely experiences strong frosts during the winter.

Higher elevations of Abkhazia, above 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) above sea level have a maritime, mountain climate, experiencing relatively cold winters and long, warm summers. Elevations above 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) above sea level have colder winters and shorter summers. Abkhazia's highest regions have a cold, summerless climate throughout the year.

Abkhazia receives high amounts of precipitation, but is known for its unique micro-climate (transitional from subtropical to mountain) along most of its coast, causing lower levels of humidity. The annual precipitation along the coast ranges from 1,200 to 1,400 mm (47.2 to 55.1 in).

Avalanches
in the northeast sometimes pose a threat to populated areas. Snow depths often exceed 5 meters (16.4 ft) or 500 cm (196.9 in) in some of the high, mountainous areas facing the Black Sea. The climate is mild, which in the Soviet times caused it to become a popular holiday destination known as the "Georgian Riviera".

Climate data for Sukhumi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.0
(50.0)
10.7
(51.3)
12.8
(55.0)
16.8
(62.2)
20.4
(68.7)
24.2
(75.6)
26.5
(79.7)
26.8
(80.2)
24.1
(75.4)
20.3
(68.5)
15.6
(60.1)
12.0
(53.6)
18.3
(65.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0)
2.7
(36.9)
4.5
(40.1)
8.3
(46.9)
12.2
(54.0)
16.2
(61.2)
19.0
(66.2)
18.6
(65.5)
14.8
(58.6)
10.4
(50.7)
6.6
(43.9)
3.9
(39.0)
10.0
(49.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 102
(4.0)
76
(3.0)
102
(4.0)
102
(4.0)
92
(3.6)
89
(3.5)
83
(3.3)
107
(4.2)
120
(4.7)
114
(4.5)
104
(4.1)
108
(4.3)
1,199
(47.2)
Average rainy days 17 15 16 15 12 11 10 10 10 12 16 16 160
Source 1: climatebase.ru[2]
Source 2: Georgia Travel Climate Information[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ "Sukhumi". climatebase.ru. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  3. ^ "Georgia, Sukhumi climate information". Travel-climate.com. Retrieved 2016-06-26.

External links