North Ossetia is a republic that is part of the Russian Federation. It was founded back in 1924. The indigenous population is Ossetians, but other nationalities also live in this territory.
Let's figure out where North Ossetia is located, that is, what is its geographical position. This republic is part of the North Caucasian Federal District. From this follows a simple conclusion that the entire territory of the state is located in the Caucasus. To be more precise in the wording, then on the northern slope of a large mountain system - the Greater Caucasus. The relief here is distributed as follows: plains and lowlands occupy most of the terrain, and highlands - less than half.
In total, about 700 thousand people live in the republic. More than 60% of them are urban population. In economic terms, Russia is a strategic partner. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (its full name) occupies the 80th place in the list of subjects of the Federation in terms of area (less than 8 thousand sq. km). The capital of the state is the city of Vladikavkaz. It is located in the south of Russia on the banks of the Terek River at the foot of the Caucasianmountains
Briefly about the main thing
Vladikavkaz was founded in the Catherine era. In 1784 Pavel Sergeevich Potemkin gave such a name - "Own the Caucasus" - to a fortress erected as a Russian outpost in the southern part of the modern city. The future capital of North Ossetia received city status in 1860.
Now the population of the city is a little over 300 thousand people, most of whom are Ossetians, Russians and Armenians.
Vladikavkaz (Dzaudzhikau in Ossetian) is located in the center of the Caucasus. There are short winters and long warm summers. The city is surrounded by picturesque places and natural resources in the form of healing mineral springs and high-quality drinking water.
Transportation
At present, Vladikavkaz can be proud of its well-developed transport network. There is an international airport with regular flights to Moscow. Also, it is from these places that the famous Georgian Military Road begins. It is an important communication route between the two states - Russia and Georgia. However, for 4 years (2006 - 2010), the government was forced to temporarily close it. But since March 2010, traffic has been resumed. There is also the Vladikavkaz railway, which connects the city with Rostov-on-Don.
Culture
Fans of intellectual and cultural recreation the capital of North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) will please with numerous theaters, concert halls, museums, libraries, among which the oldestNorth Caucasus - Republican. Of the architectural monuments - the Russian Theater, the department store, the Palace of Metallurgists, the Government House, and, of course, the business cards of Vladikavkaz - the Mukhtarov Sunni Mosque and the Orthodox Church of the Nativity, also called the Ossetian Church.
The mosque was built on the left bank of the Terek by Azerbaijani philanthropist oilman Murtuz-Aga Mukhtarov. During the Soviet era, this building was used to house a branch of the Museum of Local Lore. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the oldest Orthodox church that Vladikavkaz can be proud of. Until the 90s. In the 20th century, the church served as a burial place for prominent citizens of the republic. Also in Vladikavkaz is the recently built St. George Cathedral, which is the main cathedral of the Vladikavkaz diocese.
Monuments
Many monuments to figures of culture, art, national heroes have been erected in the city. Among them is an unusual monument to A. S. Pushkin. The poet is depicted sitting in an ox-cart, in which he traveled around the Caucasus.
During the Great Patriotic War, bloody battles took place in the city and its environs. In 2007, the capital of North Ossetia received the honorary title of City of Military Glory. One of the national heroes of the Ossetians is General Issa Pliev, who became 2 times Hero of the Soviet Union. In his honor, the most recognizable monument of Vladikavkaz, the equestrian statue of Pliev, was erected on the Terek embankment.
City Development
For the rest of locals and tourists in the citythere are many parks. The most popular among them is the Park of Culture and Leisure named after the Ossetian poet K. L. Khetagurov. It offers visitors a restaurant, tennis courts, mini-golf. Another well-known park is the Olympic, built in 2014, the main attraction of which is a luminous musical fountain. In the very center of Vladikavkaz, in its historical and cultural part, there is a tram and pedestrian zone - Mira Avenue, almost all of whose buildings are architectural and cultural monuments.
From May to October, the North Caucasian small railway named after Valentina Tereshkova operates for little townspeople and guests of the city. The capital of North Ossetia has a beautiful embankment of the Terek River.
He alth & Sports
The most popular sports in Vladikavkaz and North Ossetia are football and wrestling. All Ossetians support the local football club "Alania", which became the champion of Russia in 1995.
Not far from the city is the village of Redant, close to which are the famous sanatoriums "Ossetia", "Redant", camp sites, an arboretum.
