Tsakhurs, Russians, and representatives of other nationalities.
The process of formation of the indigenous peoples of Transcaucasia began in the 3rd - 1st millennium BC. AT ancient times on the territory of Transcaucasia, the states of Urartu, Colchis, Iberia, Diaochia, Media, Atropatena, etc. High level development reached in the 1X-XII centuries. Ani Armenian kingdom, in the XI-XII centuries. - The Georgian kingdom and the state of the Shirvanshahs in Azerbaijan - in the XIV-XV centuries. An ethnographic group of Georgians has developed on this territory, which consists of several local groups - Kartvelians, Mingrelians, Svans, which make up the Kartvelian group. The Kartwell ethnic group includes Kakhetians, Kartlins, Meskhs, Ja-Vakhs, Imeretins, Lechkhums, Rachins, Adjarians, and Gurians. They have differences in language, in culture, which is determined by the diversity of natural conditions, the specifics historical development. The current one includes Abkhazia, Adzharia, where Abkhazians and Adjarians live. The bulk of Georgians profess Orthodoxy, 50% of Abkhazians, Meskhs and Javakhs - Islam.
In the II and I millennium BC. on the territory of the Armenian Highlands, an intensive process of ethnic consolidation and merging of tribes (Hurrits, Armens, Urartians, Luvians) took place, an Armenian-speaking ethnic community was formed, and the state of Urartu was formed on the basis of this union. After the invasion in the VI century. BC. Cimmerians, Scythians, the state of Urartu ceased to exist, and the Armenian kingdom arose on this territory. Armenia was known to many nations ancient civilization. She was depicted on a Babylonian map (5th century BC). From the 1st century AD the territory became the object of a fierce struggle between Rome and Parthia. These new historical conditions created the ground for the spread of Christianity in Armenia. In 301 it was officially accepted as state religion. From the 7th century by the 19th century Armenia constantly fought for its independence with Byzantium, with the Seljuk Turks, with the Tatar-Mongols, with,. It was an extremely difficult period for the Armenian people, during this time the largest extermination of Armenians took place. And only after Russo-Persian War, 1828, Armenia freed itself from the Persians and joined Russia, but Western Armenia remained under the rule of Muslim Turkey.
The region of Transcaucasia is located between the Black and Caspian Seas, has an advantageous geographical position. The sea coast creates favorable conditions for development economic ties: through the ports of the Caspian Sea - with countries Central Asia and the Russian Volga region, through the ports of the Black Sea - with Ukraine and other countries of the Black Sea region, and through the Bosphorus access to the World Ocean is provided. The main land routes connect the region with the south of Russia and the countries of Southwest Asia.The region occupies a relatively small compact area, which is characterized by big variety natural conditions and resources. Almost 2/3 of the territory of Transcaucasia is mountains, which predetermines the nature and features of the use of the territory. The vertical zonality characteristic of the mountains affects the specialization of agriculture - in relatively small areas, there is an alternation of different
types of land use: from the cultivation of subtropical crops to distant pastures. The mountainous terrain complicates agricultural production, industrial and civil construction, and the laying of communication lines and other communications. In the same time mountainous relief in combination with the sea coast and subtropical climate contributes to the development of recreational economy. The resort and medical complex of the region uses mineral and thermal springs(Tskhaltubo, Borjomi - in Georgia; Dzhemruk, Arzni - in Armenia; Istisu, Badamli - in Azerbaijan, etc.).
Of the mineral resources, fuel and energy and ore are especially distinguished. Oil and gas are produced in Azerbaijan on the Absheron peninsula, the Kuro-Araks lowland and on the shelf of the Caspian Sea. Despite the long-term exploitation of these deposits, they still define Azerbaijan's place in the Eurasian market. Georgia is rich in manganese ores, Azerbaijan and Armenia are rich in iron ores, copper and polymetallic ores are mined in Armenia and Georgia.
The complex mining and geological structure determined the concentration of the population and economic activity on the plains and in the valleys. Here the highest population density (150-200 people per 1 km2), all cities are located. All countries in the region have high rates urbanization and the predominance of the urban population. Large monocentric agglomerations are capital cities, the population in each of them exceeds 1 million people.
Millennium history Settlement and development of this region, difficult access to certain mountainous areas have become the cause of significant ethnic and religious diversity. Cultural, ethnic, religious differences in the conditions of the socio-economic crisis of the period of perestroika and the formation of statehood aggravated the political situation in the region, which in some places even escalated into armed conflicts (in Georgia, between Armenia and Azerbaijan).
The economy of the countries of the region has a number of common features. This applies to agro-industrial production and the development of labor-intensive industries. The industry of the region relies on a developed fuel and energy complex based on its own oil and gas. Enterprises for the extraction of raw materials and the production construction materials, in particular the smelting of non-ferrous metals; textile and leather industries, branches of medium and precision engineering. The production of automobiles, aircraft, electric locomotives, machine tools, instruments, etc., has been developed (Fig. 79).
Agriculture has a peculiar and diversified structure. Crop production specializes in growing grapes, melons, fruits and vegetables
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Rice. 79. Economy of the countries of Transcaucasia
in the lowlands and foothills. On the basis of their processing, the wine-making and brandy industries, the production of canned fruits and vegetables are developing. The cultivation of tobacco on the slopes of the mountains is the basis of the tobacco-fermentation industry. An important branch of specialization is the subtropical economy, on the basis of which the tea and essential oil industries, the cultivation and processing of citrus fruits and other subtropical crops are developing. Cotton growing and the corresponding agro-industrial cycle for processing cotton are widespread in the lowlands of Azerbaijan. The mountainous territories of all the republics specialize in distant pasture animal husbandry, mainly sheep breeding.
At the same time, there are significant differences between countries that determine the specialization of each of them in the regional and world markets. Azerbaijan specializes in the oil and gas producing and oil refining industries, Armenia - in precision engineering and Food Industry, Georgia - in transport engineering and agricultural products.
Let us consider the features of regional territorial-production complexes of the region on the example of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Azerbaijan. The area is 87 thousand km2. The population is 7.5 million people. Official name- The Republic of Azerbaijan. The capital is Baku. The head of state is the president. The legislature is the unicameral parliament Mili Majlis. Administrative-territorially it is divided into 64 districts and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.
Azerbaijan is located in the eastern part of the region, has a wide outlet to the Caspian Sea, which provides the country with opportunities international relations with Russia, Iran, the countries of Central Asia. There is a ferry service with Turkmenistan. Communications with the countries of the region are carried out by land transport.
Azerbaijanis make up 90% of the population. In addition to them, Dagestanis, Russians, and Armenians live in the country. Official language- Azeri, belongs to the group of Turkic languages. The dominant religion is Islam.
In terms of population, this largest country Transcaucasia. The population is unevenly distributed. Its main part lives on the Absheron peninsula and in the valley of the river. Chickens. Largest cities- the capital of Baku, industrial centers Sumgayit, Ganja.
The leading sectors of the country's economy are the fuel and energy, chemical, petrochemical industries and diversified engineering (transport, household appliances, electrical). Irrigated agriculture plays a leading role in agro-industrial production. They grow cotton, vegetables, fruits, berries, grapes, and breed silkworms. The leading branch of animal husbandry is sheep breeding.
Georgia. Area - 70 thousand km. The population is 5.4 million people. The official name is the Republic of Georgia. The capital is Tbilisi. The head of state is the president. Legislative body - parliament. The country includes 65 regions, the autonomous republics of Adzharia and Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.
The territory of Georgia stretches from the subtropics Black Sea coast to the ridges of the Greater Caucasus.
The population is concentrated mainly on the coast, plains and foothills. The largest cities are Tbilisi, Batumi, Sukhumi, Kutaisi. Georgia is a multinational country, which includes Abkhazia, Adzharia, and South Ossetia on the basis of autonomy. 70% of the population are Georgians, among others - Armenians, Russians, Abkhazians, Adjarians, Ossetians. The state language is Georgian, in Abkhazia also Abkhaz. In addition, Adjarian (like Georgian and Abkhazian, belongs to the Caucasian language family), Ossetian (Iranian language family) are common. Georgians and Adjarians use their own alphabet, Abkhazians and Ossetians use Cyrillic. Georgians are Orthodox (Georgian Church), Abkhazians, Adjarians and Ossetians are Muslims. Ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences, multiplied by the complexity of the socio-economic and political life led to a tense situation, armed conflicts, which significantly undermined the country's economy.
natural conditions humid subtropics contributed to the development in the country of a subtropical type of agro-industrial complex, unique for the entire region, specializing in the cultivation of tea, citrus fruits, and essential oil. The tea, canning, viticulture and wine-making industries develop on their processing. The mountainous areas are specialized in animal husbandry. Mechanical engineering provides the needs of the agro-industrial complex in machinery and equipment, produces vehicles, machines, devices.
Thanks to its unique specialization and the benefits of its geographical location, Georgia has great potential opportunities both in the regional and global markets.
Questions and tasks
Transcaucasia adjoins the southern border of the European part of Russia, 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 a major role in the relations of these states with others and the world.
The region is located in the subtropical. The natural conditions of the 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.
The dissected mountainous relief creates difficulties in the cultivation of arable land, the construction industrial facilities, 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 functions: wind-protective, anti-erosion, water-regulating, and 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 reserves 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.
The Transcaucasian republics of the CIS include two bordering with Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Armenia, which in the Soviet period constituted one Transcaucasian economic region.
The area of the three republics is 186.1 thousand km 2, the population is 17.3 million people.
The largest republic in terms of area and population is Azerbaijan, the smallest is Armenia.
Conditions for the development of the economy. The economic and geographical position of the Transcaucasian republics has now worsened. Several points of hostilities in this region caused irreparable harm to the entire economic complex. Now there is no direct railway connection from Georgia to Russia through Abkhazia, the complexity of Azerbaijan's relations with the Nakhichevan Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan, is caused by the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Of the minerals, coal, oil, gas, alunites, and salts are found here. From metamorphic and igneous ores of iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, polymetallic, as well as deposits of marble, tuff, pumice, arsenic and barite ores can be distinguished.
The agro-climatic potential of the territory is quite high, which, along with altitudinal zonality, determines a significant variety of conditions for growing crops and breeding animals.
Population. The population of the Transcaucasian republics is constantly increasing. Azerbaijan has the highest growth rates (up to 1% per year), Georgia is about 0.01%, and Armenia is 0.1%. Significant natural increase due to high birth rate is characteristic only for Azerbaijan 9%. This indicator turns out to be almost zero in Georgia (0.1%o). In Armenia it is slightly more than 3%.
Territory allocated high density population, and in Armenia it reaches its maximum values in the CIS (128 people/km 2 ).
In Georgia, the share of the urban population is 56%, in Azerbaijan 54%, in Armenia - 68%.
The main titular peoples of Transcaucasia belong to different language families. Georgians are representatives of the Kartvelian language family of the Kartvelian group, Armenians also form their own group in the Indo-European language family, Azerbaijanis belong to the Turkic group of the Altaic language family. The majority of the Georgian population are Christians, Azerbaijanis are adherents of Shiite Islam, Armenians are Christians and monophysites.
Economy. The severe economic crisis that engulfed the entire post-Soviet space after the collapse of the USSR manifested itself to the maximum extent in the republics of Transcaucasia.
Industry. Now, as elsewhere in the CIS, in the republics of Transcaucasia, industries with their own resource provision have come to the fore.
Azerbaijan is increasing its oil and gas production, attracting significant foreign investment for this.
Georgia currently stands out as a major exporter of manganese ore and is also trying to re-establish ties with Russia in terms of selling wine and citrus to our market.
Armenia, which is experiencing the most serious energy difficulties, was forced to restart the nuclear power plant that was closed after the Spitak earthquake (1988). This made it possible, to some extent, to restore the smelting of copper and molybdenum.
Agriculture. In Georgia, where a significant part of the plains is located in a humid subtropical climate, cultivation of tea, citrus fruits, tobacco has been developed; in the Kura and Alazani valleys, significant areas are occupied by vineyards. Wheat, barley, corn are grown from field crops. Sheep are grazing in the mountainous regions.
In Azerbaijan, the climate is much drier, which leads to the use of additional irrigation in agriculture for growing cotton, vegetables, grain crops. In the northern and western regions, as well as in Georgia, grapes are grown. Significant areas of semi-desert pastures are used for grazing fine-fleeced and astrakhan sheep.
Armenia differs from the other two republics in more severe climatic conditions. Grapes here for the winter have to be sheltered from severe frosts, but, due to the dryness of the climate, the grapes gain a lot of sugar in summer, which makes it possible to produce cognacs. Vegetables and cereals are grown in the Ararat Valley, and there are many peach and apricot orchards on the slopes.
Transport. Difficult terrain complicates the development of transport routes on the territory of the republics of Transcaucasia. But still, in terms of the density of iron and highways they can be put in the middle of the list of CIS countries. Among the railway lines, one can single out the Transcaucasian.
After the collapse Soviet Union the republics that were part of it decided on their choice, and most of them got out of influence Russian Federation forming separate 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 to the central authority represented by the king and government.
Thanks to military campaigns on the territory of modern Syria and advancement to the countries of the Caucasus, 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 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 borders on Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia and Turkey.
The countries of the CIS, Transcaucasia, including Georgia, faced changes in the economy and the development of international relations, which had to be re-established after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since during the Soviet era, industry was not developed in the entire region, 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).
In addition to the above, the 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 is the leader in mechanical engineering and the 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 the agriculture belongs to cotton growing, and viticulture occupies half of the gross turnover, which gives the whole 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. This is the geographical position of the countries of the Transcaucasus, 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.
