Which countries are in Transcaucasia? Countries of Transcaucasia: a characteristic

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the republics that were part of it decided on their choice, and most of them withdrew from the influence of the Russian Federation, forming separate states. Just arrived in the Caucasus. Countries that entered in 1990 in this region, have become independent powers. They are Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The characteristics of the countries of Transcaucasia are presented in the article.

History of the region

Countries that existed in antiquity in place of modern Transcaucasia were well known beyond its borders. For example, in the 9th century BC. E. In the territory of Armenia there was a strong and rich Urartu kingdom. The union of tribes in this region began as far back as the 13th century BC. E., As evidenced by the Assyrian sources of the reign of King Ashshurnatsirapala II. Previously nomadic, they settled along the shore of Lake Van, becoming artisans, farmers and pastoralists.

By the 8th century, the inhabitants of the kingdom had not only their own language and script, but also religion, and the division of the country into regions with local government and subordination of the central government in the person of the tsar and the government.

Thanks to military campaigns in the territory of modern Syria and advancement to the countries of Transcaucasia, Urartu significantly expanded its holdings. Fortified cities were built on the conquered territories, irrigation canals and aqueducts, state granaries were created in the event of a siege.

No less known is the history of Colchis, located on the territory of modern Georgia. The people who inhabited it were famous for their jewelers, smiths and metallurgists. Their skills and wealth of the region formed the basis for the myth of the Golden Fleece, followed by the Argonauts led by Jason.

What is surprising in the history of these ancient states that make up Transcaucasia? The countries from which it is today, were able to form their own languages and customs, leave a rich architectural and cultural heritage, being under constant pressure from outside.

Georgia

This country occupies the central and western part of the region and is bordered by Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia and Turkey.

The CIS countries, Transcaucasia, including Georgia, faced changes in the economy and the development of international relations, which had to be rebuilt after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since during Soviet times, industry was not developed in the entire region, Georgia, for example, had to start developing mineral resources, among which:

• Coal deposits, which are estimated at more than 200 million tons.
• Oil reserves - 4.8 million tons.
• Natural gas is 8.5 billion m ³ .
• Manganese deposits occupy more than 4% of the world's reserves of this ore and are 223 million tons, which puts Georgia on the 4th place on the planet for its extraction.
• Among the non-ferrous metals, copper is the leader, with more than 700,000 tons in the country, lead (120,000 tons) and zinc (270,000 tons).

In addition to the above, the country occupies a leading position among the CIS countries in the deposits of bentonite clay, there are deposits of gold, antimony, cadmium, diatomite and other minerals. The main property of the country is 2000 mineral springs, among which Borzhomi, Tskhaltub, Akhaltsikhe and Lugelsk are the most famous.

Another pride of the Georgian people are the wines that are produced in the country. They are well known in the post-Soviet space and abroad. The national cuisine also keeps pace with popularity, which, according to the results of a special international jury, ranks 5th in the world.

Today Georgia is a prosperous country in which tourist and resort business, winemaking, growing citrus and tea are most developed.

Armenia

This country has the least favorable geographical location, as it has no access to the sea, which has a slight impact on its economy.

Nevertheless, if we take the Transcaucasus, the countries that are part of it, then it is Armenia that leads in engineering and chemical industry. Most of the industry is engaged in the production of electronic and radio devices, machine and automotive.

Not inferior to them and non-ferrous metallurgy, thanks to which the country produces copper, aluminum, molybdenum concentrate and precious metals.

Vine and cognac products of Armenia are well known abroad. In agriculture, figs, pomegranates, almonds and olives are grown for export.

A highly developed network of railways and highways allows the country to trade not only with its neighbors, but also with distant foreign countries.

Azerbaijan

If we take the countries of Transcaucasia, Central Asia, then Azerbaijan occupies one of the leading places in the extraction and processing of oil products and gas.

In this country, the richest deposits:

• Oil on the Absheron Peninsula and the shelf of the Caspian Sea;
• Natural gas in Karadag;
• Iron ore, copper and molybdenum in Nakhichevan.

A large part of agriculture belongs to cotton growing, and viticulture occupies half of the total turnover, which gives all the Transcaucasia. The countries of this region grow grapes, but it is Azerbaijan that leads in this industry.

Despite the differences in economic development, in culture, religion and population, parts of this territory have something in common. This is the geographic position of the countries of Transcaucasia, thanks to which their natural resources and climate have similar features.

Climatic zones of Transcaucasia

This region is the world's leader in the diversity of landscapes in such a small area. This is due to the fact that a significant part of the land in these countries is occupied by mountains (the Great and Small Caucasus), and only a third is the lowland. In this regard, land suitable for agriculture, here is extremely limited.

The Suram ridge divides the region into 2 climatic zones. So, this territory is divided into dry subtropics in the east and wet ones in the west, which affects the irrigation system and crops: in some regions water for irrigation is abundant, in others it is sorely lacking. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from uniting into the Commonwealth of the subtropical economy to grow tea, citrus, bay leaf, tobacco, geranium and grapes.

Population

If you take the whole of Transcaucasia (which countries are included in it, you already know), then Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Abkhazians and Adzharians will account for 90% of the region's population. The rest is represented by Russians, Kurds, Ossetians and Lezgins. Today, more than 17 million people live in this region.