The main feature of the geographical location of the Stavropol Territory is that it is located in the central part of Ciscaucasia and on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, stretching between the Black and Caspian Seas. From an administrative point of view, the Stavropol Territory is considered part of the North Caucasian Federal District, and its capital is the city of Stavropol.
General geography of the Stavropol Territory
Located in the south of the European part of Russia, the Stavropol Territory borders on such regions as Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kalmykia, Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory. From the number of neighbors and their diversity, one can draw a conclusion about the great ethnic we alth and cultural heterogeneity of the region in which the region is located.
From north to south, the region stretches for 285 kilometers, and from west to east - for 370 kilometers. The tectonic structure of this region determinesdiversity of landforms and richness of natural resources. The physical and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is closely related to the geological history of this region.
Edge relief. Plains and mountain areas
On the territory of the region you can find a wide variety of landforms. While in the north there are predominantly flat areas, in the southwest and south the relief begins to slowly rise first to the level of laccolith mountains in the Mineralnye Vody region, then to the level of the Pasture Rocky Range, and then passes into the Side Range, the highest point of which is Mount Elbrus.
In short, the geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is determined by its location in the central part of the Stavropol Upland. The eastern part of the region consists of the Terek-Kuma lowland, and the east of the region is characterized by the presence of the Kuma-Manych depression.
Geological regime of the Scythian platform
A broader context for determining the geographic location of the Stavropol Territory is the young Scythian platform, which unites the entire northern part of the region. The geological regime and tectonic activity contributed to the destruction of low mountains in this area even in the Mesozoic period. The then-formed plain was slowly flooded by the sea, at the bottom of which deposits accumulated. Currently, the thickness of sedimentary rocks on the territory of this subject of the federation is from a thousand to one and a half thousand meters.
However, in the zone of the Caspianlowlands, the thickness of the deposits increases sharply to ten kilometers. This part of the region is stable and inactive, its relief is distinguished by both elevated and low plains.
Recreational and healing resources
The special landscape of the southern part of the region, where the Caucasian Mineral Waters are located, is formed by geological and deep volcanic activity, which together form unique hydro-mineral resources.
The variety of mineral springs allows the region to specialize in recreational activities, a distinctive feature of which is the year-round operation of facilities. Experts believe that in terms of quantity, diversity and mineral composition of water, the region has no analogues in the entire territory of Eurasia. In addition to mineral waters, mud and clay are also actively used in medical activities.
Healing properties of local springs were widely known already in ancient times and left a mark in the mythology of most local peoples, as well as nomadic tribes whose migration routes passed through the territory of the Caucasus. In the Nart epic, the drink is mentioned as a "heroic drink", which is usually associated with Narzan water.
Climate in brief
The geographical location of the Stavropol Territory determines the climate regime and the regime of moisture distribution. The climate of the Stavropol Territory is characterized as temperate continental with moderately cold winters, long springswith returning frosts and hot summers. The cumulative duration of the warm period, when temperatures exceed 10 degrees Celsius, is approximately seven months a year.
In some areas of the region, the annual amplitude of extreme temperatures reaches eighty degrees, and humidity is reduced from south to north and from west to east. At the same time, the amount of summer precipitation exceeds the amount of winter almost twice. The mildest winter is observed in the central part of the Stavropol Upland, where temperatures rarely drop below -6 degrees.
Water resources of the region
Variety of climatic conditions, rugged terrain and sharp elevation changes in the territory of the region have caused an extremely uneven distribution of water resources throughout the region.
A description of the physical and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory would be incomplete without mentioning the role that glaciers and snowfields located on the slopes of the Caucasian ridges play in shaping its climate and water regime.
Since the largest rivers originate in high-mountain glaciers, the mountainous regions of the region are rich in water resources, while the flat regions may experience a clear lack of water in the hot summer months.
The largest river, which is the main source of water in the region, is the Kuban River, which originates in the high- altitude ice fields of Elbrus. The most full-flowing tributary of the Kuban is the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River. The waters of the Kuban are fed by more than 60%territory of the Stavropol Territory.
The eastern part of the region is extremely poor in water resources, and the only major source of life-giving moisture there is the Kuma River, from which several channels have been diverted to feed low-water rivers and reservoirs of great economic importance. Along the banks of these canals and small rivers, irrigated agriculture is actively developing.
Nine kilometers southeast of Pyatigorsk there is an oval-shaped s alty drainless lake Tambukan, which serves as a source of valuable sulfide silt mud. Tambukan mud has been used in medicine and cosmetology since 1886 and is very popular due to its unique composition and richness of ingredients.
Natural areas and biomes of the region
The geographical position of the Stavropol Territory is characterized by an abundance of feather grass-fescue steppes with forbs, as well as steppes and forest-steppes spread in the foothills and mountainous areas. The north-east and east of the region are covered with extensive cereal, wormwood and s altwort herbaceous complexes.
Forests occupy no more than 3% of the total area of the region, but their quality is very high. There are both coniferous and broad-leaved forests, consisting of oak, beech, spruce and pine.
In general, the climate and soil quality, as well as a fairly long growing season, favor agriculture. Almost seventy percent of all available territories of the region have been plowed up. A distinctive feature of the Stavropol Upland is the highestthe quality of the soil layer, which consists mainly of southern and ordinary chernozems, as well as light chestnut and chestnut lands.
However, the wide development of soil resources of the region, the economic and geographical position of the Stavropol Territory and intensive agriculture have negative consequences, among which is a significant impoverishment of the animal world of the region.
Nature and resources
The fauna of the Stavropol Territory is extremely poor due to the high plowing of land. Wild animals are found mainly in the untouched steppe, but their numbers are small, and the species diversity leaves much to be desired.
The wild world is represented mainly by small rodents living in the steppe, reptiles and birds. It is rare to see a wolf, a fox, a saiga or a weasel.
All of the above helps to conclude that the Stavropol Territory is not very rich in minerals, but it is promising in terms of the development of recreational tourism. A striking example of a favorable location is the physical and geographical position of the village of Inozemtsevo, Stavropol Territory, which is located in the urban district of Zheleznovodsk. The surroundings of the settlement are famous for their mineral water springs. It is noteworthy that the Scots who came to these parts to engage in missionary activities were involved in the foundation of the settlement.
