After the collapse Soviet Union the republics that were part of it decided on their choice, and most of them got out of the influence of the Russian Federation, forming individual states. Transcaucasia did the same. The countries that were part of this region in 1990 became independent powers. These are Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The characteristics of the countries of Transcaucasia are presented in the article.

The history of the region

The countries that existed in antiquity on the site of modern Transcaucasia were well known beyond its borders. For example, in the 9th century BC. e. the strong and rich Urartian kingdom was located on. The unification of tribes in this region began in the 13th century BC. e., as evidenced by Assyrian sources from the reign of King Ashurnatsirapal II. Formerly nomadic, they settled along the coast 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 administration and subordination central government represented by the king and the government.

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

No less famous is the history of Colchis, located on the territory of modern Georgia. The people who inhabited it were famous for jewelers, blacksmiths and metallurgists. Their skill and wealth of the region formed the basis of 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 of which it consists today were able to form own languages and customs, leave a rich architectural and cultural heritage while under constant pressure from the outside.

Georgia

This country occupies the central and western part region and borders with Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia and Turkey.

The countries of the CIS, Transcaucasia, including Georgia, are faced with changes in the economy and development international relations that had to be rebuilt after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since in times Soviet power industry was not developed in the entire region, then Georgia, for example, had to start developing minerals on its own, including:

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

Except listed country occupies a leading position among the CIS countries in terms of deposits, there are deposits of gold, antimony, cadmium, diatomite and other minerals. The main asset of the country is 2000 mineral springs, among which the most famous are Borjomi, Tskhaltub, Akhaltsikhe and Lugel.

Another pride of the Georgian people is the wines that are produced in the country. They are well known at home and abroad. Not far behind in popularity National cuisine, which, according to the results of a special international jury, takes 5th place in the world.

Today Georgia is a prosperous country with the most developed tourism and resort business, winemaking, citrus and tea growing.

Armenia

This country has the least favorable geographical location, since it has no access to the sea, which somewhat affects its economy.

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

It is not inferior to them and thanks to which copper, aluminum, molybdenum concentrate and precious metals are produced in the country.

The wine 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 foreign countries.

Azerbaijan

If we take the countries of Transcaucasia, 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 and offshore the Caspian Sea;
• natural gas at Karadag;
• iron ore, copper and molybdenum in Nakhichevan.

Most of Agriculture belongs to cotton growing, and viticulture occupies half of the gross turnover, which gives all of Transcaucasia. The countries of this region grow grapes, but Azerbaijan is the leader in this industry.

Despite differences in economic development, in culture, religion and population, parts of this territory have something in common. it geographical position countries of the Caucasus, thanks to which their Natural resources and climate are similar.

Climatic zones of Transcaucasia

This region leads the world in terms of landscape diversity 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 Greater and Lesser Caucasus), and only a third is lowland. In this regard, land suitable for agriculture is extremely limited here.

The Surami Range divides the region into 2 climatic zones. Thus, this territory is subdivided into dry subtropics in the east and wet subtropics in the west, which affects the irrigation system and crops: in some regions there is an excess of water for irrigation, in others it is sorely lacking. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from uniting in the Commonwealth of Subtropical Farming for the cultivation of tea, citrus fruits, bay leaf, tobacco, geranium and grapes.

Population

If we take Transcaucasia as a whole (you already know which countries are included in it), then Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Abkhazians and Adjarians will make up 90% of the population of the region. The rest are Russians, Kurds, Ossetians and Lezgins. Today, more than 17 million people live in this region.

To southern border The European part of Russia adjoins Transcaucasia, where three states are located: Azerbaijan. They are located in the southern part of the Caucasian isthmus. In the south, this region borders on, in the north - on Russia. The seas washing Transcaucasia - Black and laid along their shores railways play leading role in the relations of these states with others and the world.

The region is located in the subtropical. natural conditions Transcaucasian states are very diverse. Here, on an area of ​​179.6 thousand km2, there are mountains covered with centuries-old snow and ice, and deep hot valleys, dry semi-deserts scorched by the sun and wet lands, dressed in luxurious subtropical . About 60% of the surface of Transcaucasia is located above 600 m above sea level and is occupied by the slopes and spurs of the Greater Caucasus, the uplands and ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. Western Transcaucasia is open to the amphitheater and is under the influence of western winds. On the Lankaran lowland - humid subtropics, precipitation is 1200 mm.

dismembered mountainous relief creates difficulties in the cultivation of arable land, the construction of industrial facilities, the construction and operation of communication lines. It is necessary to take into account the high level of this area, 6-8 points. Climatic conditions and contrasts pose a problem for the economy: in the west - drainage, and in the east - irrigation. Humid subtropical forests grow in Western Transcaucasia, where they occupy 55% of the area and in the southeast of Eastern Transcaucasia. Forests perform important features: windproof, anti-erosion, water-regulating, as well as balneological. Oak, hornbeam, beech, pine, spruce, boxwood, yew, cinchona, camphor, laurel, rhododendron, and other species grow in the forests. The territory of Transcaucasia is also rich in mineral springs, its waters have high healing properties, on the basis of which large hospitals are organized.

Transcaucasia has large stocks water resources. Rivers: Kura, Alazan, Hrazdan, Arak, Rioni; lakes: Ritsa, Sevan, Sarysu and others; glaciers of the Caucasus The groundwater. They are sources of electricity, irrigation of fields, water supply to industry, medical institutions, population.

The predominant type of soils in the mountains of the Greater Caucasus are brown mountain forest soils, mountain meadow soils at an altitude of 1700 m - chernozems, and on the plains - alluvial, in some places yellow earth and red earth, on the Colchis lowland - meadow-bog (900 thousand ha), brown, brown - chestnut, brown.

Transcaucasia is one of the famous resort areas. But the management of the economy of countries is complicated by military interethnic conflicts.

A region in Asia located south of the Main, or Dividing Range, of the Greater Caucasus. The Transcaucasus includes most of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the Colchis lowland and the Kura depression, the Karabakh mountains, the Armenian highlands, the Talysh mountains with the Lankaran lowland.

Within are located Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, as well as partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It borders on the north Russian Federation, in the south with Turkey and Iran. AT last years in international documents to designate Transcaucasia, the term "South Caucasus" became widespread.

Climate.

and the nature of both parts of Transcaucasia are very different. Eastern Transcaucasia is different continental climate with a small amount of precipitation; Western Transcaucasia, on the contrary, has a maritime climate and is irrigated very plentifully. Many areas of Eastern Transcaucasia need artificial irrigation, while in Western Transcaucasia, on the contrary, some places suffer from excess moisture.

Story.

Transcaucasia is a geopolitical region separate from the Caucasus, with ancient times representing a link between the countries of East and West and located at the crossroads trade routes between the Near and Middle East and Europe, migratory waves, armies of conquerors who sought to master the ancient and medieval states Transcaucasia. There were wide trade and cultural connections these states among themselves and with the neighboring countries of Europe and the East - Iran, India, China, etc. Here in the IX-VI centuries BC. was one of ancient states the world - Urartu, later Armenia, covering during the period of its power the entire Armenian Highlands, and closer to our era - the Kingdom of Colchis, Caucasian Albania(Aghvank), Armenia. From ancient civilizations remained masterpieces of architecture, outstanding literary monuments.

The presence of fertile lands, water resources and a mild climate contributed to the creation of a developed agriculture - irrigated agriculture, pasture animal husbandry. Trade led to the development of crafts, the construction of cities, and the development of transport. On the other hand, rich lands constantly attracted the attention of strong and warlike neighbors - at first it was the Roman Empire, then Byzantium, the Arabs. In the XIII-XV centuries - the Tatar-Mongols and Tamerlane. Then Transcaucasia became the object of rivalry between Persia (Iran) and Ottoman Empire(Turkey). The Middle Ages was a time of endless wars, feudal strife and devastating campaigns of foreign conquerors. The southern neighbors treated Christians - Georgians and Armenians - especially cruelly. It was somewhat easier for the peoples who converted to Islam.

Further development events could lead to virtually complete physical extermination of the Christian peoples of Transcaucasia. Under these conditions, joining Russia in early XIX century contributed to the survival of the Transcaucasian peoples, familiarizing them with the values ​​of European civilization.

The Soviet period in the history of Transcaucasia was marked by a significant rise in industry in the region, the strengthening of economic ties within the USSR, the leveling of the level of socio-economic development of the Transcaucasian republics, and an increase in educational level population, the creation of numerous national intelligentsia. At the same time, the level of development of productive forces remained insufficient for the full use of human resources, especially in countryside, which led to the outflow of the population to the cities and beyond the borders of Transcaucasia.

Liberalization political life and the development of glasnost in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to a sharp rise in nationalism, for which the leadership of the republics was not ready. started chain reaction, which eventually led to the decision to withdraw from the USSR. Events in Transcaucasia played an important role in the collapse of the Soviet Union. A series of bloody conflicts took place between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Georgia and Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia.

Transcaucasia after the collapse of the USSR.

On the this moment in Azerbaijan, a significant part of foreign exchange income comes to the republic from numerous citizens of Azerbaijan engaged in economic activity in Russia. The main export pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan has been built, which will provide Azerbaijan with an alternative access to the world hydrocarbon markets.

Armenia is experiencing difficulties in communicating with outside world, being blocked by two neighboring countries- Azerbaijan and Turkey. The country has been in a state of war since the early 1990s. Georgia has to solve a whole tangle of interrelated problems - problems with the economy, resort Black Sea coast Abkhazia is inaccessible, in internal Georgia, social tension is aggravated by the presence of several hundred thousand refugees from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Influence of Transcaucasia on art.

AT end III- beginning of the 4th c. in the western Transcaucasia - Armenia and Georgia - developed feudal relations, which was facilitated by the adoption of Christianity at the very beginning of the 4th century. Being politically dependent on Byzantine Empire and the Iranian state of the Sassanids, the peoples of Transcaucasia perceived the progressive elements of their culture. Along with this, the bright, distinctively developing culture of each of these peoples itself had an impact on the development of architecture. Especially huge contribution in world architecture was made in the IV-VII centuries. during the formation Eastern school Byzantine architecture, which then experienced strong influence Transcaucasian architecture. During this era, the architecture of Armenia and Georgia developed in similar ways.

States Transcaucasia by number population apply to non-big countries: largest country the region is Azerbaijan - about 8 million people, in Georgia there are less than 5 million people, and in Armenia - about 3 million, in Abkhazia a little more than 215 thousand, and in South Ossetia - just over 70 thousand people. In spite of small numbers population of Armenia is very different high rates medium density population (more than 100 people per 1 km 2). As in all mountainous countries population is distributed very unevenly. Plain territories and intermountain basins are very densely populated, while in high-mountain areas the population density is less than one person per 1 km 2.

All countries of Transcaucasia belong to countries with modern type reproduction of the population, and Georgia is currently experiencing a demographic crisis. In addition, all the 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 notable for its complex national composition. The titular peoples (Abkhazians in Abkhazia, Georgians in Georgia, Ossetians in South Ossetia, Armenians in Armenia and Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan) make up the majority of the population in each country. In all countries of the region, part of the population (especially in the capitals) are Russians. Georgians, Armenians, Greeks also live on the territory of Abkhazia, Adjarians, Armenians, Meskhetian Turks also live in Georgia, Georgians in South Ossetia, Kurds in Armenia, Armenians and Talyshs in Azerbaijan.

dominant in Azerbaijan religion is Islam of the Shiite persuasion, in South Ossetia - Orthodoxy, in Armenia - the Armenian-Gregorian Church (Christian Monophysites). A more complex religious composition is characteristic of Georgia and Abkhazia: Georgians, Greeks and Ossetians, like Russians, profess Orthodoxy, and part of the Abkhazians and Adjarians profess Sunni Islam.

share urban population it is relatively high only in Armenia (64%), and in Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia and Azerbaijan it is much lower - about 50%. Tbilisi, Yerevan and Baku are millionaire cities. Most major cities regions are Rustavi, Kutaisi, Batumi in Georgia, Sukhum in Abkhazia, Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor in Armenia, Baku, Sumgayit and Ganja in Azerbaijan.

feature of employment labor resources Transcaucasia is a large share agriculture, especially in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Georgia.

All countries Transcaucasia at present, due to a protracted severe economic crisis experiencing excess labor resources Therefore, many citizens of the Transcaucasian countries emigrate to other countries and, above all, to Russia.

Table. The structure of employment of the population of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan