What countries are included in Transcaucasia? Transcaucasian countries: characteristics. Geography lesson "Transcaucasia" Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan comparison lesson geography

General information. If Russia is separated from Central Asia by the “Kazakh cordon”, then in front of the Transcaucasus it is naked, facing it with one of its most vulnerable parts - the North Caucasus. It is no coincidence that the Transcaucasus, which connects the Black Sea with the Caspian Sea, Russia with the Middle East and has energy resources (Azerbaijan), has become the object of increased interest of world powers. The special proximity of Azerbaijan to a key country for the West - Turkey (which is a NATO member), and the possible importance of Azerbaijan for influencing Iran also increase the importance of this region.

Located at the junction of Western Asia and Eastern Europe - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan - have exclusively ancient roots. Thus, the Armenian and Georgian alphabets appeared much earlier (by as much as 1000 years) than the Cyrillic alphabet, on which the Russian alphabet is based; and Christianity spread long (600 years) before its adoption in Russia. Not only Armenians and Georgians, but also Azerbaijanis had their own statehood even before the new era (in III- 1st century BC e. Armenian, Iberian and Albanian states are formed in Transcaucasia). The annexation of Transcaucasia to Russia occurred at the end XVIII- the beginning of the 19th century, and mainly voluntarily(contrary to the semi-literate statements of some high-ranking officials in the Georgian leadership after the collapse of the USSR).

The region is located almost entirely south of 43° N. w. Mountainous terrain affects all elements of local nature: climate, river regime, soil and vegetation cover. Mountains determine the altitudinal zonation of landscapes. The relatively low transverse Likhsky Ridge serves as an important climatic divide between the humid air masses of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea(Georgia) and dry continental masses of the interior of Eurasia in the east (Azerbaijan). This has a noticeable impact on the specialization of agriculture.

Among the main mineral resources are oil and gas of the Absheron Peninsula and the Caspian Sea, copper, molybdenum

And polymetallic ores of the Lesser Caucasus (Armenia), manganese (Georgia), etc. Medicinal mineral waters are widespread: Borjomi, Tskhaltubo (Georgia), Arzni, Jermuk (Armenia), Istisu (Azerbaijan). The main importance is Azerbaijani oil, which has been known since ancient times. In the second half of the 19th century. Baku oil production acquired an industrial character, and at the beginning of the 20th century. the region became the largest oil producer in the world (over 11 million tons - more than half of world production). Foreign capital was widely attracted (English, Swedish, French, German). From Baku along the Caspian Sea and further along the Volga to the interior regions of Russia, a flow of kerosene and fuel oil began, and the export of petroleum products began through the port of Batumi. Today, the center of production is increasingly shifting to the Caspian shelf, and new projects are being created to transport oil and gas to the West.

During the years of Soviet power, the republics of Transcaucasia carried out industrialization, achieving real success in building national economies. Their economic “face” today is largely determined by the production of oil and petroleum products (Azerbaijan), non-ferrous metals (Armenia and Azerbaijan), manganese (Georgia), subtropical agricultural products - lemons, tangerines, oranges, tea, tung oil, bay leaves (Georgia, Azerbaijan), cotton (Azerbaijan), etc.

The disintegration of the USSR destroyed the former economic integrity of the region. The six-year war between Armenia and Azerbaijan (1988-1993) over Nagorno-Karabakh did not pass without a trace, disrupting relations between neighboring countries. It claimed thousands of lives, tens of thousands of people were injured and more than 1 million people fled their homes, becoming refugees. The economies of both countries were paralyzed. Georgia, in turn, faced difficult ethnopolitical problems in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Meanwhile, the economic interests of the Transcaucasian countries are united, the republics geopolitically gravitate toward each other, and social strata need peace to overcome the contradictions that arose after the collapse of the USSR.

One of the most “delicate” problems for new Russia is the excessive political and economic intensification of US activities in the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region, supported by a military presence in Georgia, which was considered a traditional Russian sphere of interest.

Trying to somehow veil its own expansion in the Caucasus and reduce financial costs, the United States is actively using the North Atlantic Alliance. Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia are equal to the territory airspace and coastal waters of Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, the Mediterranean, Black and Azov seas official

but are part of the area of ​​responsibility of the NATO Regional Command South. In 2005, at the alliance's Brussels headquarters, an agreement was signed on the transit of NATO troops across the Georgian border, which, in essence, legalized the American presence in this country.

In the “bowels of the geopolitical headquarters” of the West, a project has long been developed to remove the states of Transcaucasia and Central Asia from the influence of Russia by creating an extensive network of roads and railways, oil and gas pipelines and an air corridor bypassing it (the so-called silk, or rather pseudo-silk road of the 21st century).

Georgia. Georgians (self-name - Kartvelians) As a nation, they were formed from Kartlians, Kakhetians, Khevsurs, Gurians, Mingrelians, Laz, Svans and other ethnic groups. However, the Georgian nation is not a monolithic entity, and facts confirming this thesis are not particularly needed. In addition to Kartli, there are three more related languages ​​in the country - Mingrelian, Svan and Laz. On the one hand, all three subethnic groups recognize themselves as Georgians, but on the other, their persisting ethnic specificity, largely due to the “vicissitudes” of historical fate (for example, the Mingrelians lived under the rule of Byzantium and Turkey, and the Kartlians lived under the rule of Persia), serves as a breeding ground for the local separatism, which is not easy for eastern Georgians to cope with. And if after 1921 the Laz practically ended up in Turkey, and the Svans numbered no more than 40 thousand, then almost every fifth Georgian considers himself a Mingrelian. The traditional capital of the Mingrelian eristavate (principality) is Zugdidi, and without involving Mingrelians in the political mechanism of governing the country, it is unlikely that stability in the country can be achieved.

Throughout the entire history of Orthodox Georgia (the Adjarians and Laz profess Islam), two tasks run like a red thread: to unite the lands and principalities (Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, Tvaladi, Tusheti, etc.) and to repel the expansion of Islamic Turkey and Iran. Having asked at the turn of the 16th -19th centuries. under the wing of the Russian “eagle”, she successfully solved both of these eternal problems, but at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. they arose again. Both four hundred and two hundred years ago, Georgia was unable to be both integral and independent. As a loyal member of the world community, Russia (helping South Ossetia pay pensions to the elderly and salaries to public sector employees, and residents of Abkhazia to receive Russian citizenship and freely cross the Russian border) could not but officially recognize the sovereignty of Georgia throughout its territory. But she could not avoid participating in the fate of peoples who do not want to abruptly end relations with her.

Russia is accustomed to seeing Georgia as a Black Sea country that is blessed from all points of view, generously endowed by nature. Fatherly

Stee this is true. Humid subtropics off the coast of the Black Sea (Lenkoran region in Azerbaijan is noticeably inferior to them in terms of land area suitable for cultivating subtropical crops and agro-natural potential); fertile plains with a climate favorable for agriculture in the central and eastern parts of Georgia; pastures abundant in forage on subalpine and alpine meadows Caucasus Mountains; manganese-rich subsoil and rivers (Rioni, Ingu-ri, Kura, Kodori, Bzyb, etc.); hundreds of healing springs - all this creates good preconditions for the socio-economic development of sovereign Georgia. Indeed, within the framework of the USSR, Georgia was one of the most developed republics, having a relatively balanced economic complex (including the Rustavi ferrous metallurgy and certain branches of mechanical engineering). Agriculture was based on three branches: subtropical agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, and transhumance. Cultivation of perennial subtropical crops (tea, citrus fruits - oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, essential oils, laurel, persimmons, etc.) and winemaking brought Georgia a good reputation in the former USSR.

However, a significant part of Georgia is wedged deep into the Caucasian Isthmus (the middle course of the Kura, the valley of its tributary Alazani in Kakheti, the spurs of the Greater Caucasus in the north of the country and the Lesser Caucasus in the south, etc.), and there is no longer a climatic “paradise” and fertile soils there . But the main thing is that the country is experiencing a clear shortage of hydrocarbons, especially oil and gas. From the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and from Mesopotamia, the Meskhov country (i.e. Georgia) is seen as the extreme northern periphery with a rather harsh climate and rocky soils, which is partially confirmed by the obvious lack of competitiveness of Georgian wines, lemons, tea on the world market (not to mention electric locomotives, ferroalloys of Zestafoni, trucks of Kutaisi, etc.). With the colossal rise in prices for raw materials and energy imported from Russia, the cost of Georgian products becomes “unaffordable” even for undemanding buyers from underdeveloped countries.

Taking into account the historical past of this country, specialist literature most often discusses two possible scenarios for the future development of sovereign Georgia in accordance with its geopolitical position. In accordance with the first of them, it breaks with the “empire of the North” (i.e., our country) and builds its future, relying on the United States and Western allies. In this case, the country of Sakartvelo will never be able to become Puerto Rico, but will return to the orbit of Iranian-Turkish rivalry to its usual place of the northern border of the Near East, being forced

to become a “foreign” part of the Muslim world. In the second case, Georgia returns to the geopolitical “womb” of Russia, but, of course, taking into account its geopolitical and geo-economic interests.

What kind of orientation will bring prosperity, territorial integrity and internal peace to the country will be decided by the Georgian people themselves. Strengthening integration with Georgia, supporting its state sovereignty (taking into account such an incredibly complex factor as Abkhaz and South Ossetian separatism) can have a beneficial effect on the supply of oil and gas raw materials to Georgia, and to Russia - products of subtropical agriculture, as well as on the joint use Georgian ports for transit, a joint strategy for the development of resort facilities, etc. Georgia occupies an exceptionally advantageous geopolitical and geostrategic position in the Black Sea, and in this regard, with a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that the relations between both countries will be largely determined by the “evolution” of the Abkhaz issue.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The internal political and administrative division of Soviet Georgia revealed features of a federal type and included the Adjarian (Batumi), Abkhazian (Sukhumi) and South Ossetian (Tskhinvali) autonomies. After the collapse of the USSR, Georgia, of course, inherited those regions that had previously been repeatedly excluded from it: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe.

The essence of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict rests on the unresolved issue of the status of Abkhazia, which in the former socialist Georgia was a “law-abiding” autonomy. Countering the movement for the process of sovereignty of Abkhazia on August 13-14, 1992, the Georgian National Guard tried to solve the “Abkhaz problem” by force, provoking a bloody interethnic war. The war was lost by the Georgians, and R. Inguri became a “line of demarcation” between the warring parties. The consequences of the bloody “interethnic showdown” are 100 thousand injured people on both sides, the massive resettlement of the Georgian population from Abkhazia, a radical change in the ethnic situation in the former Georgian autonomy, mutual hostility and wounded pride of the proud mountaineers.

Sukhumi proceeds from the fact that Abkhazia is neither de jure nor de facto connected with Georgia, and at the negotiating table they do not agree to accept any formulations that would place Abkhazia in the position of a part of Georgia, even with a special status. Tbilisi does not want to agree to any formulations that would not establish the territorial integrity of Georgia. The Constitution of the new Abkhazia states that the republic is independent

We are a state, a subject of international law. In Tbilisi, this Constitution is considered illegal, citing the fact that about 500 thousand people previously lived in Abkhazia, most of whom today are refugees who did not take part in the adoption of the Basic Law.

In April 1994, the warring parties signed a statement on measures for the political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, as well as an agreement on sending to the conflict zone (in the Gaelic region of Abkhazia and the Zugdidi region of Georgia) a peacekeeping detachment of CIS forces, consisting mainly of Russian military personnel (Russian troops were also stationed in the Adjarian and South Ossetian autonomies). His presence was dictated by a number of circumstances - the mutual economic interests of Russia and Georgia, Russia’s desire to secure its borders, resist “foreign” influence in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, and protect the population (which, however, practically does not feel any infringement of human rights here).

From the standpoint of political geography, geopolitics and geo-economics, Russia is vitally interested in a stable, but closely consolidated Abkhazia with the Russian Federation.

According to the most common point of view, the Ossetians are descendants of the Scythian, Sarmatian and especially Alan tribes. The self-name of the Ossetians “iron” exactly coincides with the self-name of the Sarmatians, who lived in the steppes of the North Caucasus 2 thousand years ago. The reason for the geographical isolation of the two components of the Ossetian ethnic group is widely known. Driven by the desire to remain independent from the Golden Horde, the Ossetian Alans were forced to go high into mountain gorges. Some of them overcame the Main Caucasus Range, settling on its southern slopes. After the annexation of the territory of present-day North Ossetia to Russia (last quarter XVIII c.) many Ossetians descended from the mountains and settled again on the plain, next to the Cossack villages that had already formed here. It was relatively easy for the Orthodox mountaineers to find a common language with the Cossacks.

Russia's desire to participate in deciding the fate of the South Ossetians is quite justified. We are talking about the border zone of the country’s national security, inhabited by representatives of the “spun off” Russian ethnic group, who mostly have Russian passports, receive Russian pensions and benefits and are entirely dependent on Russia. Various forms of Russian property (including land), business structures, etc. have become widespread here.

Armenia. Armenians (self-name - hai) are an ancient people with rich cultural traditions and a dramatic fate. The ethnic homeland of the Armenians is the Armenian Highlands (from the top

Noah Great Ararat!). Many years of bloody wars with the Seljuk Turks, Tatar-Mongols, Ottoman Turks, and Persians led to the extermination of many Armenians and their “dispersion” around the world (this circumstance makes them “in common” with the Jews). Having lost their statehood in the Middle Ages, the Armenians came under the rule of Iran and then Turkey. Since several million Armenians in the 20th century. continued to live in Turkey on their historical lands, they experienced strong pressure from local units (about 1.5 million Armenians became victims of genocide). Armenians are Christians (it is believed that they were the first people to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301).

Unlike Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia does not have access to the sea, which (given its deteriorated relations with Azerbaijan and traditionally “cool” relations with Turkey) extremely complicates its foreign economic relations. 90% of its surface lies at an altitude of over 1,000 m, and therefore its arable land (with the exception of the Ararat Valley) is located noticeably higher than in the mentioned countries. The complete lack of mineral fuel stimulated at one time the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power stations (6 stations) on the river. Hrazdan, flowing out of Lake Sevan. The economic “face” of modern Armenia is determined by non-ferrous metallurgy (mainly copper), chemical industry (synthetic rubber, plastics, tires, etc.), and certain branches of mechanical engineering. High mountain agriculture in an arid climate is impossible without irrigation. Vegetables, cotton, sugar beets, tobacco, peaches, apricots, plums, and grapes are grown on irrigated lands. The lush summer pastures of the high mountain plateaus make it possible to raise cattle, sheep, and goats. Like Georgia, the Achilles heel of the national economy is energy poverty.

Azerbaijan. Azerbaijanis are an ancient people of the Turkic ethnolinguistic group, with a complex ethnogenesis and rich spiritual culture. Being the largest ethnic group in Transcaucasia, it is one of the divided ones: most of the Azerbaijanis live abroad, mainly in neighboring Iran (South Azerbaijan). By religion, Azerbaijanis are Muslims (while one part of them professes Sunnism, the other - Shiism). The cultural traditions of Azerbaijanis largely go back to XII century, the era of the outstanding philosopher and poet Nizami Ganjavi.

In Azerbaijan, unlike Georgia and Armenia, there is a large area of ​​arable land (Kura-Araks lowland, Kirovabad-Kazakh plain, etc.), but the country lies in a dry subtropical climate and, with the exception of the Lankaran lowland, farming without irrigation is impossible. The main income from agriculture comes from cotton. Tea, citrus fruits are cultivated

vee, tung, tobacco, grapes, subtropical fruits (figs, pomegranates, quinces, persimmons, pistachios, almonds), stone fruits (peaches, apricots).

Since the main natural resources of Azerbaijan are oil and gas, they determine the industrial specialization of the republic. In one way or another, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering and the chemical industry are also connected with them (production of pipes, drilling equipment, rubber, plastics, tires in Baku, Sumgait and other centers). Influx at the beginning of the 20th century. large Russian and Western capital contributed to the transformation of Baku into an international city, where the integration of Eastern and Western cultures took place. The paradox was that in some respects Baku was no less a European city than Christian Tbilisi and Yerevan.

After the collapse of the USSR, many experts began to express opinions about a possible “drift” of Azerbaijan towards Iran, taking into account the confessional and ethnolinguistic (meaning Iranian Azerbaijan) proximity of the two countries. However, the geopolitical and geo-economic interests of these states still have little overlap.

Nagorno-Karabakh: a “frozen” conflict. A quick glance at the political and administrative map of Azerbaijan is enough to understand the main geopolitical essence of the Karabakh problem. Within Karabakh, during Soviet times, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO) was formed as part of Azerbaijan, with 87% of its population being Armenians. One of the first ethnic conflicts in the USSR (1988) led to the official abolition of this autonomy. At the same time, the leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, closely coordinating its policy with Yerevan, on September 2, 1991, declared the territory an independent republic within the borders of the former NKAO and the Shaumyan region.

It broke out at the turn of 1991 - 1992. the full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh turned out to be quite bloody. During the armed conflict, the Armenian-Karabakh formations managed to achieve an advantage and not only captured almost the entire territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Okrug, but also occupied part of the adjacent Azerbaijani lands with the aim of turning them into a “security zone”.

In addition, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict gave rise to the serious problem of refugee and “resettlement”, which directly affected the interests of the Russian Federation, since some refugees poured into Russian territory. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia’s status as an international mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict turned out to be very unclear, which different time encouraged all parties to the conflict (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Na-

mountainous Karabakh) blame Russia either for interference in internal affairs or for its military defeats. Nevertheless, with the mediation of the Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan and the UN Interparliamentary Assembly, on May 5, 1994 in Bishkek, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh signed a protocol (not a peace treaty) on a ceasefire. Unfortunately, it played the role of only a temporary respite in the fierce information and sabotage struggle of the opposing sides.

The positions of Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are well known. Official Baku proceeds from the fact that Armenia committed an act of aggression against its neighbor and attempted to annex foreign lands with all the ensuing consequences. In this regard, Azerbaijan insists, first of all, on the return of the occupied lands outside the NKAO under international guarantees, as well as on solving the problem of refugees, and then the problem of the jurisdiction of Nagorno-Karabakh. Official Yerevan brings to the fore the problem of the security of the Armenian population of Karabakh, while simultaneously supporting their right to self-determination.

Test questions and assignments

1. How does the natural resource potential of the Transcaucasian countries differ? 2. Remember from history the circumstances of the annexation of Transcaucasia to the Russian Empire. What is the “absurdity” of accusing the Georgian authorities (2006) of our country’s “annexation” of this state? 3. Name the main sectors of economic specialization of the countries of Transcaucasia. 4. What is the current state of the Abkhaz, South Ossetian and Karabakh “geopolitical nodes”? 5. What specifically indicates in favor of close integration of the peoples and states of Transcaucasia?

After the collapse of the USSR, three independent states were formed in the Transcaucasus - the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Georgia. Despite their geographical proximity, each of them has its own history, they are distinguished by their national identity, they differ in natural resources and culture, and geopolitical orientation. Before the collapse of the USSR, the Transcaucasian republics in terms of economic development were at the level of moderately developed industrial-agrarian countries. They also have a lot in common in post-Soviet history.

During the years of independence, none of the Transcaucasian republics managed to avoid a total decline in production, impoverishment and migration of the population, military-political clashes both between the republics themselves (Armenia - Azerbaijan) and within each of them (Georgia, Azerbaijan). The breakdown of previous economic ties, socio-economic and political instability, a sharp stratification of the population in terms of level and quality of life, corruption and criminalization of society had an impact.

Russia is interested in building relations with integral and stable Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. It is beneficial for her that these countries cope with social and economic turmoil and embarked on the path of sustainable development. Transcaucasia has been and remains closely connected with Russia geographically, historically, economically and politically. Economic leverage remains the main factor of Russia's influence in the region.

Russia will have to resolve with the Transcaucasian states not only the issue of the Russian language, the situation of the Russian and Russian-speaking population in these states, but also the problems of the numerous diasporas of the Transcaucasian peoples in the Russian Federation. We must not forget that, despite all possible shortcomings and difficulties, Russia’s peacekeeping activities have played and continue to play a key role in resolving conflicts in the Transcaucasus and in establishing a relatively stable peace in this region.

Let us briefly dwell on the development features of each of the Transcaucasian countries and their interaction with Russia.

The Republic of Azerbaijan

On October 18, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan Republic adopted the Constitutional Act “On State Independence of the Azerbaijan Republic”. The first post-Soviet decade became for the new state a time of socio-economic and political transformations and upheavals, and independent entry onto the world stage. The formation of the Azerbaijan Republic took place in conditions of a deep ethnopolitical crisis caused by the Karabakh conflict. As a result of the military clash between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh actually seceded from the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In the early 90s. XX century A situation close to political and economic anarchy has developed in Azerbaijan. Coming to power in 1993 G.A. Aliyev, who acted as a national and authoritative leader of Azerbaijan, contributed to stabilization, strengthening of statehood, and stopping the severe economic crisis.

Since the mid-90s. In Azerbaijan, there are positive trends towards slowing down the pace of negative processes in the economy, increasing oil production, and strengthening the national currency. Agriculture is developing, including Cotton growing, fruit growing and viticulture are traditional for Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has significant transport potential, which can turn the republic into one of the centers of international trade and re-export. The Republic is ahead of most CIS countries in terms of the volume of foreign investment; the lion's share of these investments is directed to oil production. At the official level, the desire to turn Azerbaijan into “ new Kuwait”, it is planned to increase oil production in 2010 to 60 million tons per year 7 .

At the same time, Azerbaijan still has many economic and social problems. For many Azerbaijanis, trade remains the only area where they can earn at least something. Migration processes are great. According to various sources, currently there are up to 1.5 million Azerbaijanis in the Russian Federation alone; about 60% of the republic's population lives from funds earned in Russia.

In foreign policy, Azerbaijan follows the multi-vector principle, but at the same time emphasizes special relations with Turkey. During a visit in February 1994, G.A. Aliyev to Turkey, the formula “one nation, two states” was used. There is an obvious trend towards expanding military cooperation between Baku and Ankara, and this cooperation is increasingly taking on the contours of a geopolitical military alliance.

The Azerbaijani leadership is developing ties with the OSCE, the Council of Europe and NATO, and intensifying relations with the United States and Western European countries.

Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the 90s. XX century were uneven, primarily due to the Karabakh problem. IN last years Russian-Azerbaijani relations were given a dynamic, pragmatic and mutually beneficial character. A major role in these positive processes was played by the visit of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin to Azerbaijan and the visit of the new President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Moscow. Azerbaijani-Russian relations are not problem-free, but these problems are completely solvable, including those related to oil, gas and their transportation, as well as cooperation in the Caspian Sea.

Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia is connected with the Russian Federation by ties of friendship and strategic partnership. After the collapse of the USSR, Armenia went through difficult times. There has been a sharp decline in production, and there has been an increase in the shadow economy and unemployment. According to experts, during the post-reform period Armenia lost about 90% of its economic potential, the volume of its GDP decreased 10 times, including the volume of industrial production by 80%. There was a massive bankruptcy of industrial enterprises, the curtailment of high-tech industries and scientific research.

The situation is aggravated by the limited natural resources of Armenia, as well as its transport blockade as a result of the armed conflict with Azerbaijan. The country is landlocked, which isolates it from the centers of not only global but also regional development. In addition, the Republic is forced to allocate significant funds to eliminate the consequences of the terrible earthquake of 1988. Then 25 thousand people died in the northern regions of Armenia, and tens of thousands were left homeless.

During the Soviet years, Armenia was characterized by a high level of education and culture, significant intellectual potential. Now, due to the difficult economic and social situation of the country, most of the working population, including highly qualified specialists, have emigrated, which has led to difficult-to-recover losses.

Creating a new state in difficult conditions, Armenia, among other things, relies on the powerful genetic potential and traditions of its people, who for many centuries stubbornly defended their national identity. Having adopted Christianity as the official state religion in 301, Armenia became a leading Christian outpost that successfully resisted Islamization. It gave the world outstanding educators, scientists, and cultural figures. Now it is a nation-state with an almost ethnically, culturally and religiously homogeneous people. Large, relatively rich and influential Armenian diasporas in the USA, France, and the countries of the Middle East East. The Armenian diaspora in Russia, mainly in Moscow and the Krasnodar Territory, numbers 2 million people 8 .

As for Nagorno-Karabakh, the absolute majority of the population of Armenia is in favor of its inclusion in the republic. However, the country's leadership (at least in words) does not set the task of annexing Karabakh to Armenia and speaks out for giving the people of Karabakh the right to determine their own destiny. Despite the ceasefire agreement signed in May 1994, which is being respected in principle, serious contradictions between the conflicting parties remain.

In the current geopolitical situation, Russia remains, essentially, the only country capable of providing Armenia with comprehensive support. Throughout the existence of Armenia as an independent state, there were practically no disputes in Russian-Armenian relations, unlike other Transcaucasian republics, which, for various reasons, often demonstratively distanced themselves from Russia. There are no obvious anti-Russian sentiments in the country. At the same time, in recent years there has been an obvious intensification of political forces oriented towards the West. Armenia's relations with Greece and Iran are developing.

The tragic death on October 27, 1999 of K. Demirchyan, Chairman of the National Assembly, and V. Sargsyan, the Prime Minister of the country, who adhered to a pro-Russian orientation, did not lead to a weakening of Russian positions in Armenia. Visits of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin to Armenia in 2001 and 2005. confirmed the strategic partnership of the two states. Trade and economic ties and military-technical cooperation are strengthening between Russia and Armenia.

Russia's military presence in Armenia is noticeable. At military bases there are MIG-29 fighter-interceptors, a division of the S-300V air defense system - the most powerful anti-aircraft missiles in the world. The presence of Russian border troops on the territory of the republic has been legally formalized. The Armenian army is armed with Russian weapons. Russia, in essence, took upon itself the obligation to guarantee the security of the Armenian people and state.

Having close and multilateral ties with Russia and Western countries, and possessing a fairly combat-ready and effective army, Armenia is able to influence the provision of geopolitical stability in the region. In turn, Russia relies on Armenia to protect its strategic interests in the Transcaucasian region.

Republic of Georgia

Georgia is the first of the former republics of the Soviet Union to hold free parliamentary (October 1990) and presidential (May 1991) elections, which were won by Z. Gamsakhurdia. During his time in power, the Georgian leadership set a course for breaking relations with Russia, and in the national movement of the republic, from the very beginning, radicals, fighters “against imperial evil and violence,” took over.

Patriotic doping and the search for enemies overshadowed the main thing - economic, social and state building. Georgia's GDP decreased many times and at the beginning of the 21st century amounted to. 1/4 of the gross product of the Krasnodar region. Georgia, which was recently prosperous and rich, is now one of the poorest countries in the world. The population of Georgia has decreased; every fourth resident of the country has left for permanent residence in Russia 9 .

The situation in the country is seriously aggravated by conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. A distinctive feature of the events related to Abkhazia is that a people constituting less than a fifth of the population of the Republic of Georgia took the path of independence and the creation of their own state. On January 1, 1990, the population of Abkhazia numbered 537 thousand people, of which 44% were Georgians, 17% Abkhazians, 16% Russians, 15% Armenians 10 . On the night of August 13-14, 1992, units of the Georgian National Guard and regular army entered Sukhumi. A war began, which Georgia lost.

National-chauvinist forces in Georgia encouraged the South Ossetians to attempt to secede, to which the Georgian parliament immediately responded by abolishing South Ossetian autonomy. In response to the disagreement of the Ossetians in 1991, forceful methods were used. The Ossetians defeated the Georgians. In June 1993, a truce and ceasefire were declared. The result of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict is more than 1 thousand killed, over 90 burned villages, tens of thousands of refugees.

During the reign of E. Shevardnadze, Georgia's relations with Russia were characterized by unevenness, contradictory statements and actions. With M. Saakashvili coming to power in September 2003, there was hope that there would be a turn for the better in the relations between the two countries. At first, the rhetoric changed and an interstate dialogue emerged. But then statements from Georgia regarding Russia began to sound more and more harsh and offensive.

M. Saakashvili, as a politician, strives to play on a large geopolitical field. He is inclined to consider himself a kind of prophet of “color” revolutions in the post-Soviet space. In fact, the geopolitical ambitions of the leader of the “Rose Revolution” clearly do not correspond to his real capabilities.

The President of Georgia has repeatedly made unfounded accusations against Russia, including at the 61st session of the UN in September 2006. At the same time, he constantly emphasizes his orientation towards the United States and special relations with them. This is confirmed by his desire to join NATO, speed up the process of withdrawing Russian military bases from Georgian territory, and strengthen and train the armed forces with the help of the Americans.

There is constant pressure on the breakaway territories, and provocations against Russian peacekeepers do not stop. Russia's patience was overflowing with the demonstrative arrest in Tbilisi of several Russian officers who were in Georgia legally. The Russian Federation followed with retaliatory actions regarding economic relations, transport links, and illegal migration. At Russia’s initiative, in the fall of 2006, a resolution was submitted to the UN Security Council and unanimously approved, condemning the belligerent rhetoric and unlawful actions of the Georgian side in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts, and extending the mandate of the Russian peacekeeping forces.

The precedent of the separation of Montenegro from Serbia, the obvious contradiction between such principles of international law as the principle of territorial integrity and the right of a nation to self-determination, the course taken by the Georgian leadership to resolve territorial problems using force - all this further aggravates the situation around Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are internationally recognized conflict zones.

In 2006, Russia for the first time officially recognized the legitimacy of South Ossetia's aspirations for self-determination. In a statement, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation noted: “We respect the principle of territorial integrity. But for now, this integrity in relation to Georgia is more of a possible state than a political and legal reality. And it can only be created as a result of complex negotiations, in which the initial South Ossetian position, as we understand, is based on a principle no less recognized in the international community - the right to self-determination.” 11 .

Restoring the territorial integrity of Georgia in the foreseeable future seems to be a difficult task. The Russian side continues to pursue a line of restraint and prudence in relation to the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts, emphasizing that it will act in accordance with international law and the will of the people. Russia is not going to include new territories; it has no such plans, emphasized Russian President V.V. Putin at a meeting in Novo-Ogarevo with the heads of news agencies of the G8 countries and repeating this in television answers to questions from Russian citizens on October 25, 2006. At the same time, he noted that “not only the residents of South Ossetia or Abkhazia will find it difficult to explain why the Albanians in Kosovo they can secede from the country in which they are formally now located, but they are not allowed.” 12 .

Russia does not shirk the responsibility that mediation and peacekeeping duties place on it. The Russian Federation stands for the territorial integrity of Georgia, but pushing Abkhazia and South Ossetia towards Tbilisi means encouraging a state that openly opposes itself to Russia geopolitically. In addition, Russia cannot fail to take into account that most of the residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Russian citizens (the process of actively accepting Russian citizenship occurred in 2000–2004).

Ultimately, it is not in Georgia's interests to aggravate relations with Russia. One can agree with the opinion of those who note that “Russia is Georgia’s first trading partner, the first buyer of its products, the main market for its labor force, the largest source of its foreign exchange earnings, the main supplier of gas, etc.” 13 . Russia is certainly not interested in escalating tensions. The Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia are historically, geographically, economically, and culturally connected by incomparably more than what currently separates them.

Objectively, Russia and the Transcaucasian countries are destined to live side by side and together. Therefore, the main task is to find optimal ways and forms of cooperation in all areas, skillfully matching and taking into account the national and geopolitical interests of the Russian Federation and the post-Soviet states of Transcaucasia.

Lesson plan + presentation. The lesson was prepared for the work of a creative group.

"Plan Transcaucasia"

Lesson plan “Countries of Transcaucasia” 9th grade

Tasks:

Educational:

to form students’ initial understanding of the nature, population and economy of Transcaucasia; introduce the economies of countries and some of the sights of the states.

Educational:

Develop cognitive activity and interest in the subject through the use of ICT tools. Learn to observe, compare, draw conclusions, generalize knowledge. Develop students' speech.

Educational:

Cultivate a love for nature.

Expected results: increasing cognitive interest in the subject, expanding ideas about Transcaucasia and its inhabitants, developing communication skills.

Lesson type - formation of new knowledge.

Student grades : no less than 5

Equipment: physical and political maps of Transcaucasia; multimedia presentation, photographs of the sights being studied

Forms of work: individual, group, frontal.

Working methods: explanatory and illustrative, visual, independent, search.

Questions covered in the lesson: Transcaucasia (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan). Countries beyond the Caucasus. Highlands, lava plateaus, intermontane depressions, coastal lowlands. Volcanoes and earthquakes. Evergreen vegetation and “eternal” snow.

Mountainous and coastal Georgia, highland Armenia, Caspian Azerbaijan.

During the classes:

Organizing time

Checking students' readiness for the lesson

Homework check: paragraph questions

Frontal survey of students on the topic

How does urbanization manifest itself in Central Asian countries?

What is the role of the mining industry, mechanical engineering and chemical production in the economies of countries?

What are the differences in agricultural specialization in the countries of the region?

Features of tourism? Which species is more developed?

PHYSICAL PAUSE

3. Learning new material:

COMMUNICATION OF THE TOPIC AND OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON

1. Transcaucasia- a region in Western Asia and the Middle East, located south of the Main, or Watershed, Ridge of the Greater Caucasus, between the Black and Caspian Seas. Transcaucasia includes most of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the Colchis Lowland and the Kura Depression (sagging at a rate of 6 mm per year), the Armenian Highlands, the Talysh Mountains with the Lenkoran Lowland.

2. Within the Transcaucasus are Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

In the same region are: Abkhazia and South Ossetia, whose independence is recognized only by Russia and four other countries. Transcaucasia borders on the Russian Federation in the north, and Turkey and Iran in the south.

In recent years, the term has become widespread in international documents to designate Transcaucasia South Caucasus, while remaining a region separated from the Caucasus.

The region occupies a relatively small compact territory, which is distinguished by its great diversity natural conditions and resources. Almost 2/3 of the territory of Transcaucasia is mountains (Georgia and Armenia), and this accordingly affects the nature and characteristics of the use of the territory. The Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the Armenian Highlands - areas of new folding - earthquakes - Spitak in 1988, the city of Leninakan, 25 thousand people died, 500 thousand people. Left homeless). The vertical zonality inherent in mountainous countries affects the specialization of agriculture: in relatively small areas of the territory one can notice the alternation various types land use: from growing subtropical crops to transhumance - pasture livestock farming. In addition, the high relief complicates the agricultural use of the territory, industrial and civil construction, and the laying of communication routes and other communications.

We divide the class into groups; each group considers the characteristics of one of the countries.

(Azerbaijan Georgia Armenia)

When students speak, we show presentation slides and, using APPENDIX No. 1 at the right time, characterize the beauty of places using works of classics of Russian literature

Landslides occur in the mountains, snow avalanches and other dangerous natural phenomena, threatening economic activity and human life. The seismicity of this area is approximately 6-8 points. Magma flows to the surface and forms a lava plateau. Together, the mountainous terrain, combined with the sea coast and subtropical climate, makes this region one of the most attractive resort, recreational and tourist centers in Eurasia.

The western part has more precipitation.

About 60% of the surface of Transcaucasia is located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level and is occupied by its slopes and foothills of the Greater Caucasus, as well as the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus.

The Lankaran lowland is humid subtropical and receives 1200 mm of precipitation per year. Humid subtropical forests grow in Western Transcaucasia, where they occupy 55% of the plane and in the southeast of Eastern Transcaucasia. Forests perform significant functions: windproof, anti-erosion, water-regulating, and also balneological. Transcaucasian countries have large reserves water resources. Rivers: Kura, Alazan, Hrazdan, Araks, Rioni; lakes: Ritsa, Sevan, Sarysu, etc.

The predominant type of soil: brown mountain-forest, mountain-meadow, and also at an altitude of 1700 m - chernozem, on the plains - alluvial, sometimes yellow and red soil are also found, in the Colchis lowland - meadow - swamp (900 thousand ha), brown, buri and bura are chestnut.

Student message. Topics: “Oil production in Azerbaijan”, “Contrasts in the nature of Georgia”, “ Ancient culture Armenia”, “External appearance of the capitals of three countries”.

4. Reflection

What new and interesting things did I learn in class?

Why is it possible to combine active recreation with treatment in the countries of the region?

5. Homework: 31, questions after the paragraph.

View document contents
"APPENDIX to LESSON 2"

CAUCASUS

The Caucasus is below me. Alone on High
I’m standing above the snow at the edge of the rapids;
An eagle, rising from a distant peak,
Floats motionless along with me.
From now on I see birth streams
And the first movement of menacing collapses.

Here the clouds humbly move beneath me;
Waterfalls rush through them;
Beneath them the cliffs are naked masses;
Below there is skinny moss, dry bushes;
And there are already groves, green canopies,
Where the birds chirp, where the deer gallop.

And there people nest in the mountains,
And the sheep crawl along the grassy rapids,
And the shepherd descends to the merry valleys,
Where Aragva rushes in the shady banks,
And the poor rider is hiding in the gorge,
Where Terek plays in ferocious joy;

Plays and howls like a young animal,
Seeing food from an iron cage;
And hits the shore in useless hostility
And licks the rocks with a hungry wave...
In vain! there is neither food nor joy for him:
It is crowded by menacingly silent masses.

COLLAPSE

Crushing against the dark rocks,
The shafts rustle and foam,
And the eagles are screaming above me,
And the forest grumbles,
And they shine among the wavy haze
Mountain peaks

Once a collapse broke out,
And fell with a heavy roar,
And all the gorge between the rocks
Blocked
And the Terek is a mighty rampart
Stopped it.

Suddenly, exhausted and subdued,
O Terek, you have interrupted your roar;
But the rear waves of stubborn anger
Blowing through the snow...
You flooded, enraged,
Its shores.

And the long-broken collapse
He lay in an unmelted heap,
And Terek ran angry under him.
And the dust of the waters
And sprinkled with noisy foam
Ice vault.

And there was a wide path along it:
And the horse galloped, and the ox was drawn,
And he led his camel
Steppe merchant,
Where now only Aeolus rushes,
Heaven's tenant.

PRISONER OF THE CAUCASUS
Tale

DEDICATION

N. N. Raevsky

PART ONE

In the village, on its thresholds,
The Circassians are sitting idle.
Sons of the Caucasus speak
About abusive, disastrous worries,
About the beauty of your horses,
About the pleasures of wild bliss;
Remember the old days
Irresistible raids
Deceptions of cunning bridles, 3
The blows of the 4 checkers are cruel,
And the accuracy of the inevitable arrows,
And the ashes of devastated villages,
And the caresses of the black-eyed captives.

Hero of our time

Mikhail Lermontov

It was already six o'clock in the afternoon when I remembered that it was time for dinner; my horse was exhausted; I drove out onto the road leading from Pyatigorsk to the German colony, where the water society often goes en piquenique. The road winds between bushes, descending into small ravines where noisy streams flow under the canopy of tall grasses; all around rise like an amphitheater the blue masses of Beshtu, Snake, Iron and Bald Mountains.

In the evening, a large group set off on foot to the sinkhole.

According to local scientists, this failure is nothing more than an extinct crater; it is located on the Mashuk slope, a mile from the city. A narrow path between bushes and rocks leads to it.

Nowhere do they drink so much Kakhetian wine and mineral water as here.

View presentation content
"TRANSCAUCASIA 9th grade"

9 Class

According to the State Statistical Office of Azerbaijan, the population of the Republic is

9,000,000 people. The majority of believers are Shiite Muslims. There are also Sunni Muslims (in the northern part of the country, mainly Lezgins), Orthodox (Russians and Georgians) and Jews (Jews).

Old city. Icheri Sheher Quarter

Maiden Tower - a symbol of Baku

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

Male National Costume, was basically uniform in all zones of Azerbaijan. The men's costume reflected the class affiliation of its wearer.

Outerwear

Arkhalyg was single-breasted or double-breasted. It was made from silk, cashmere, satin, cloth, satin and other fabrics.

Gaba - outer men's shoulder clothing, which was sewn from tirma.

Chukha- a men's outerwear shoulder garment that is usually cut at the waist, pleated or gathered. It was sewn from cloth, textile and homespun fabric.

Kurk- a fur coat made of sheep fur inside, without fastener, with a collar, decorated with embroidery.

Economy

Industry

• Azerbaijan supplies other countries with products from the chemical and fuel industries, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, and light industry. Mostly finished products are imported from other countries to Azerbaijan: machine tools, various agricultural machines, cars, clothing, food products.
• Azerbaijan's GDP growth is largely achieved through increased production and export of hydrocarbons.

Economy

Agriculture

• Agriculture specializes mainly in viticulture, horticulture, tobacco growing, vegetable growing, livestock farming and sericulture. The main industrial crops are cotton, tobacco, and tea. Early vegetable growing and subtropical fruit growing are developed. The main branches of livestock farming are sheep breeding, dairy and beef cattle breeding, poultry farming, and sericulture.

Economy

• Tourism is an industry that has been developing rapidly in recent years. Medical tourism is developing especially intensively. Every year about one and a half million people come to Azerbaijan as tourists.

This is primarily due to the fact that the country is located between Europe and Asia. This is also due to the fact that, of the 11 existing climatic zones of the planet, 9 are represented on the territory of the country, ranging from subtropics to high alpine meadows.

• Unique in their characteristics recreational resources countries - mountainous and seaside resorts. In the future, 20% of the entire territory of Georgia is planned to be allocated to national parks and reserves. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive the resort and tourism complex.
• Today, the degree of involvement of available raw materials and natural resources in economic turnover remains insignificant.
• The total area of ​​forest resources is 3 million hectares. Timber reserves are estimated at 434 million cubic meters. The country's territory is a rich raw material base for the pharmaceutical industry.

• The leading industries in Georgia are: food (production of tea, wines and cognacs, tobacco products, essential oil crops, canned vegetables and fruits, mineral waters, hazelnuts), light (silk, wool, cotton, shoe, knitwear, clothing production), mechanical engineering (production of electric locomotives, cars, machine tools in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi), ferrous metallurgy (metallurgical plant in Rustavi, Zestafoni ferroalloy plant, Chiaturmanganese plant), non-ferrous metallurgy (Marneuli plant), chemical (production of nitrogen fertilizers, chemical fiber, paints, household chemicals - in Rustavi). In 2007, the volume of cement exports amounted to $64 million compared to $28.8 million in 2006.
• In the structure of industrial production, the largest share is occupied by the processing industry - 69%, the production and distribution of electricity, gas and water supply accounted for 24%, and the mining industry - 7%.

• Lebiskari fortress. Khevsureti Province, Georgia
• There are over 100 resorts in Georgia: resorts on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus (Kobuleti, Batumi, etc.); mountain and high mountain resorts Bakhmaro, Bakuriani, Surami, Shovi; mineral water resorts Borjomi, Sairme; ski resort Gudauri, etc.

Population

The resident population for 2010 was estimated 3 million 083 thousand people. In terms of population, Armenia ranks 134th place. The country has negative population growth and a very homogeneous national composition, it is the only country of the former USSR with an almost mono-ethnic population (97.9% of which are Armenians).

Water resources

The territory of Armenia belongs to the basins Chickens And Araks. The Araks is the largest river in the country, the basin of which accounts for 76% of its area.

There are about 9,480 small and big rivers, of which 379 are 10 km or more in length. Total length of the river network 23 000 km.

Armenia is located at latitude subtropical zone. In other areas the climate is highland, continental - summers are hot and winters are cold. On the plains, the average temperature in January is −5 °C, July is +25 °C; in the middle mountains (1000-1500 meters) -10 °C and +20 °C, at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m -14 and +16, respectively.

• Armenia exports machine tools and equipment, textiles and other industrial products in exchange for supplies of raw materials and electricity.

• Agriculture of Armenia- one of the main sectors of the Armenian economy. The share of the agro-industrial complex in GDP was about 35%, of which 23-26% is agriculture.

• Armenia has managed to preserve its true spiritual wealth - religion, culture and national centuries-old traditions, which they strictly observe, both in joy and in sorrow. Today, such traditions as the strength of marriage, respect for elders, the strength and breadth of family ties, the custom of family and neighborly mutual assistance, and hospitality are steadily preserved.

Transcaucasia (South Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and South-West Asia, lying south of the main, or watershed, ridge of the Greater Caucasus. Transcaucasia includes most of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the Colchis Lowland and the Kura Depression, the Lesser Caucasus, the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands, the Talysh Mountains with the Lenkoran Lowland. Within the South Caucasus there are three independent states: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia. In the same region are: Abkhazia and South Ossetia, whose independence is recognized only by Russia and five other countries. Transcaucasia borders on the Russian Federation in the north, and Turkey and Iran in the south.

Azerbaijan is a state in Eurasia, in the eastern part of Transcaucasia, on the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea. Population 9,493,600 people, territory - 86,600 km².

Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Transcaucasian region.

It borders with Russia (Dagestan) and Georgia (Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti) in the north, Armenia in the west and Iran in the south.

Part of the territory of Azerbaijan is controlled by the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, part by Armenia.

The capital of the country is the city of Baku.

President – ​​Ilham Aliyev

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, proclaimed in 1918, is called the first democratic republic in the Muslim world.

Armenia

It is located in the north of the geographical region of Western Asia and the northeast of the Armenian Highlands. It has no access to the sea. It borders with Azerbaijan and the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in the east. In the southwest with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan. With Iran in the south, Turkey in the west and Georgia in the north.

Population 3,018,854 people, territory - 29,743 km².

The capital is Yerevan. Official language- Armenian.

Unitary state, presidential republic.

President - Serzh Sargsyan,

About 98.7% of the population professes Christianity.

Georgia is a state located in Western Asia and the Middle East, in the western part of Transcaucasia in east coast Black Sea. Georgia borders Turkey and Armenia in the south, Azerbaijan in the southeast and Russia in the north. The territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not controlled by the Georgian government and are considered by it, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Commission.

Capital – Tbilisi

Form of government – ​​presidential republic

President - Mikheil Saakashvili

Territory - 69,700 km

Population - 4,497,600

Abkhazia is a disputed territory in the northwestern part of the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range, on the southeastern coast of the Black Sea. According to the international legal status, the Republic of Abkhazia is actually a partially recognized state, according to the administrative-territorial division of Georgia - the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia within Georgia.

The territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not controlled by the Georgian government and are regarded by it, the United States and the European Commission as parts of Georgia occupied by Russia.

In the north and northeast it borders with Russia ( Krasnodar region and the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia); in the southeast and south with the Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia.

Consists of 7 historical regions (the 7 stars on the national flag) - Minor Abkhazia, Bzypyn, Guma, Abzhua, Samurzakan, Dal-Tsabal, Pskhu-Aibga. As of October 2012, there are 8 cities and 105 villages in Abkhazia.

In total, representatives of 67 different nations now live in Abkhazia.

Capital – Sukhum

Presidential-parliamentary republic

President – ​​Alexander Ankvab

Population – 240,705

Territory - 8665 km²

South Ossetia is a partially recognized state in Transcaucasia. Landlocked. The issue of the international legal status of South Ossetia is controversial: the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia in 2008-2011. was recognized by Russia and four other UN member states (Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela and Tuvalu).

Capital - Tskhinvali Form of government - Presidential Republic

President - Leonid Tibilov

Territory - 3900 km²

Population - 72,000

20. Ethnopolitical conflicts in Transcaucasia (history, causes, prospects for resolution).

Transcaucasia includes Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. All these states are presidential unitary republics. Georgia includes Adjara, and Azerbaijan includes Nakhichevan and Nagorno-Karabakh, which actually seceded from Azerbaijan. Armenia and Azerbaijan are part of the CIS, and Georgia, in response to Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, left the CIS.
Territory and population of the Transcaucasian countries
Table 32

Transcaucasia is located in the southwest of the CIS. In the west, Transcaucasia has access to the Black Sea (Abkhazia and Georgia), and in the east it is washed by the Caspian Sea-lake (Azerbaijan). In the north, the Transcaucasian countries (Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia and Azerbaijan) border with Russia, and in the south with Turkey and Iran. South Ossetia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have an inland geographical location. A special feature of Azerbaijan is the presence of an enclave - the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Transcaucasia has a favorable economic and geographical position, but due to the large number of “hot spots” both within the region (for example, the Abkhaz-Georgian, Ossetian-Georgian and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts) and in neighboring Russia (Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan) Transcaucasian countries have an extremely dangerous geopolitical position.
Transcaucasia is well provided with various natural resources. The mountainous regions of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands alternate with the plains of Colchis and Kura. However, in general, the entire region is characterized by increased seismic hazard.
The subsoil of the Transcaucasian countries is rich in various mineral raw materials. Abkhazia (Tkvarcheli) and Georgia (Tkibuli) have coal reserves, Georgia (Akhaltsikhe) also has brown coal reserves, Azerbaijan has oil and natural gas reserves (Artem-Ostrov, Neftyanye Kamni and Siazan). A small oil field is also located in Georgia (Mirzaani). Deposits of iron ores are located in Azerbaijan (Dashkesan), manganese ores in Georgia (Chiatura), copper ores in Armenia (Alaverdi and Kafan), polymetallic ores in South Ossetia (Kvaisi), aluminum ores in Azerbaijan (Alunitdag). There are large reserves of building stone: marble in Georgia, tuff and pumice in Armenia. Transcaucasia is famous for its mineral water sources: Borjomi (Georgia), Jermuk (Armenia) and Istisu (Azerbaijan).
Among non-mineral resources, agroclimatic, hydropower and recreational resources stand out: resorts Black Sea coast(Gagra, Pitsunda, Gudauta, Sukhum, New Athos in Abkhazia, Batumi, Kobuleti in Georgia) and mountain resorts (Bakuriani).
In terms of population, the Transcaucasian states are classified as small countries: largest country The region is Azerbaijan with about 8 million people, less than 5 million people live in Georgia, and about 3 million in Armenia, just over 215 thousand in Abkhazia, and just over 70 thousand people in South Ossetia. Despite its small population, Armenia is distinguished by very high average population density (more than 100 people per 1 km2). As in all mountainous countries, the population is distributed extremely unevenly. Lowland areas and intermountain basins are very densely populated, while in high mountain areas the population density is less than one person per 1 km2.
All countries of Transcaucasia belong to countries with a modern type of population reproduction, and Georgia is currently experiencing a demographic crisis. In addition, all Transcaucasian countries are characterized by active emigration of the population, as a result of which the population in all countries of the region is declining.
Transcaucasia is complex national composition. The titular peoples (Abkhazians in Abkhazia, Georgians in Georgia, Ossetians in South Ossetia, Armenians in Armenia and Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan) constitute the majority of the population in each country. In all countries of the region, part of the population (especially in the capitals) is Russian. Georgians, Armenians, and Greeks also live on the territory of Abkhazia; Adjarians, Armenians, and Meskhetian Turks also live in Georgia; Georgians live in South Ossetia; Kurds live in Armenia; Armenians and Talysh live in Azerbaijan.
In Azerbaijan, the dominant religion is Shiite Islam, in South Ossetia - Orthodoxy, in Armenia - the Armenian Gregorian Church (Monophysite Christians). A more complex religious composition is typical for Georgia and Abkhazia: Georgians, Greeks and Ossetians, like Russians, profess Orthodoxy, and some Abkhazians and Adjarians profess Sunni Islam.
The share of the urban population is relatively high only in Armenia (64%), while in Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia and Azerbaijan it is significantly lower - about 50%. Tbilisi, Yerevan and Baku are millionaire cities. The largest cities in the region are Rustavi, Kutaisi, Batumi in Georgia, Sukhum in Abkhazia, Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor in Armenia, Baku, Sumgait and Ganja in Azerbaijan.
A special feature of the employment of labor resources in Transcaucasia is the large share of agriculture, especially in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia.
Population employment structure
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
Table 33

All countries of the Transcaucasus are currently experiencing an excess of labor resources due to the protracted severe economic crisis, therefore many citizens of the countries of the Transcaucasus are emigrating to other countries and, above all, to Russia.
The economic crisis and the collapse of the USSR dramatically changed the economic structure of the Transcaucasian countries. In terms of economic development, these countries were thrown back decades. In terms of economic structure, the countries of the region have turned into agrarian and raw material countries with weak development of the manufacturing industry. In Georgia and Armenia - once the industrialized republics of the Soviet Union - the importance of the agro-industrial sector has sharply increased, and in Azerbaijan the share of the fuel and energy complex has increased even more (see table 34).
Many sectors and centers of the economy of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan can only be spoken of in the past tense.

Sectoral structure of industry in Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan
The extractive industry still plays a significant role in the economy of the region: in Azerbaijan - the oil industry, in Georgia - the mining of coal, manganese and polymetallic ores, in Armenia - the mining of copper, molybdenum ores, tuff and pumice.
Georgia is distinguished by the development of ferrous metallurgy - on its territory there is the only metallurgical plant in the Caucasus in the city of Rustavi, and Azerbaijan is distinguished by the production of pipes (Sumgait).
Among the branches of non-ferrous metallurgy, aluminum production in Armenia (Yerevan) and Azerbaijan (Sumgait and Ganja) and copper production in Armenia (Alaverdi) developed in the past.
Mechanical engineering in the region has been almost completely curtailed. Once upon a time, the automotive industry was developed in Georgia (production of Kolkhida trucks in Kutaisi) and Armenia (production of off-road vehicles in Yerevan), production of electric locomotives (Tbilisi), aircraft manufacturing (Tbilisi), machine tool manufacturing (Tbilisi and Yerevan), electrical industry (Tbilisi, Yerevan, Baku).
Among the branches of the chemical industry, the production of mineral fertilizers (Rustavi and Sumgait), the production of resins, plastics and synthetic rubber (Yerevan), polymer processing (Yerevan and Baku), and household chemicals (Tbilisi) were developed. Major oil refining centers are Baku and Batumi.

Light industry, which was developed in the past, is experiencing a period of decline. The region developed cotton (Gori, Gyumri, Ganja), silk (Kutaisi), wool, knitwear and leather and footwear industries (Tbilisi, Yerevan, Baku).
The importance of the food industry has sharply increased, where winemaking is a branch of international specialization (Tbilisi, Yerevan), and the fruit and vegetable industry (Kutaisi, Yerevan, Khachmas) and oil-processing industry (Tbilisi and Yerevan) are also developed.
A significant portion of the GDP of the Transcaucasian countries comes from agriculture. In all the republics of Transcaucasia, the production of grain crops (wheat, corn, barley), vegetable growing, horticulture, viticulture, meat and dairy cattle breeding, sheep breeding and sericulture is developed. Rice and cotton are grown in Azerbaijan. In Abkhazia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, subtropical agriculture - citrus fruit production and tea growing - has developed. Azerbaijan and Armenia specialize in growing tobacco.
In the countries of the Transcaucasian region, all types of transport have developed, and the region as a whole has a fairly dense transport network. The largest seaports in the region are Sukhum, Poti and Batumi in Georgia on the Black Sea, and Baku in Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea. At the same time, due to the events of August 2008, the railway connection between Georgia and Russia, due to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Armenia found itself in a transport blockade.
The most important foreign economic partners of the Transcaucasian countries are Russia, other CIS countries, as well as Turkey and Iran. The main exports of Transcaucasian countries are oil (from Azerbaijan), non-ferrous metals (especially from Armenia), wine, fruits, vegetables, tobacco (from Abkhazia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). Imports are dominated by fuel, except Azerbaijan), machinery, equipment, consumer goods (in all countries of the region).
Questions and assignments Give an economic and geographical description of the countries of Transcaucasia. Name the factors influencing the formation and development of the economy of the Transcaucasian countries. Describe the problems of regional development. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Georgia. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Armenia. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Azerbaijan.