Handsome kchr. The main attractions of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Other notable places

I.V. Mikhailov

More than 200 million years ago, on the site of the Caucasus, there was the bottom of the Tethys Ocean, which included the modern Aral, Caspian and Black Sea, and the huge ocean itself then connected the modern seas: the Mediterranean and Okhotsk.

Tens of millions of years passed, the waters of the Tethys Ocean retreated as a result of the movement of the earth's crust, and approximately 20-25 million years ago the Caucasus was formed and acquired modern relief forms.

The relief of Karachay-Cherkessia, like the entire Caucasus, is distinguished by a variety of forms, which is due to the complex geological and tectonic structure of the territory. All points on the surface of the republic lie above 400 meters above sea level, gradually rising to the south and southeast to 5642 meters. Based on the nature of the surface, three zones can be distinguished: flat-hilly, foothill and mountainous.

The flat-hilly area includes a small area in the northern part of the republic with altitudes from 400 to 800 meters, where hills of different heights rise among relatively flat terrain.

The main underlying relief-forming rocks here are sandstones and conglomerates, and the river valleys are covered mainly with Quaternary alluvium, formed due to the products of erosion of mountain slopes by water flows.

The highest part of the zone is the Sychevy Mountains, which have a height of up to 888 m.

The border between the flat-hilly zone and the foothill zone can be considered the main line, running south of the village of Besleney to the city of Cherkessk, north of the village of Nikolaevskoye and further to the east. To the south of this line, in a wide strip up to 160 kilometers long, stretches the foothill zone. Its southern border can be roughly drawn from the village. Kurdzhinovo station Zelenchukskaya, then to Upper Mara and the Biychesyn plateau.

In the foothill zone, watershed areas are clearly defined, the heights here increase to the south, the surface is crossed by gullies and short river gorges. Within this zone, two large orographic objects rise: the Pastbishchny (Cretaceous) and Skalisty ridges.

The Pasture Range received its name for the abundance of pasture lands here; it is located north of the Rocky Range, it is lower mountainous, its average height is 900-1000 meters, and in the east it reaches 1500 meters. The ridge is composed mainly of limestones and marls of the Upper Cretaceous: the sandstones cutting through them play a large role in the relief formation of the entire zone. They contribute to the anti-erosion stability of slopes, forming so-called table ridges and individual elevations with flat tops.

The rocky ridge stretches across the territory of the republic for 160 kilometers from west to east. The average height of the ridge is 1200-1600 meters. The Rocky Range, like the Pastbishchny and Sychevy Mountains, is a cuesta ridge in shape. Its northern slopes are gentle, while its southern slopes are steep and in some places form walls up to 200 meters in relative height.

The northern slope of the ridge is composed of limestone and dolomite almost throughout its entire length, and in the south, in depressions, clay shales, sandstones, granites, andesites, and basalts are found.

The Lateral (or Advanced) ridge with its ridges stretches south of Skalistoy and parallel to the Main Caucasian Range. Bokovoy is separated from the Rocky Ridge by longitudinal depressions with heights of up to 1000 meters (they extend from Kurdzhinovo to Kumysh), and to the east these ridges are separated by the Biychesyn plateau.

The side ridge begins in the Arkh1za area, where one of its massifs is the ridge. Abishira - Ahuba rises to a height of 3223 meters. In the east of the republic, at the western peak of Elbrus, the Side Range reaches its greatest heights; here a 10-12 kilometer mountain bridge separates the western peak of Elbrus from the Main Caucasus Range.

To the south of the Side Range, the Main Caucasian Range rises like a giant wall. This is the most elevated and picturesque part of Karachay-Cherkessia, many peaks here exceed 3000 m, and the highest point, Mount Dombay-Yolgen, has a height of 4046 m.

The territory of Karachay-Cherkessia is very interesting and geologically diverse. There are deposits of all geological ages here: from Precambrian to Neogene and Quaternary inclusive (Appendix 1). The latter are represented by normal, weakly compacted sediments; ancient formations are recrystallized, foliated, transformed into gneisses and crystalline schists.

All igneous and sedimentary rocks are distributed zonally, stretching in stripes in a general Caucasian direction, and when moving from south to north, increasingly younger geological formations come to the surface.

In pre-Upper Proterozoic times, this entire territory maintained a stable platform regime, without mountain-building processes. In the late Proterozoic and early Cambrian, geosynclinal conditions prevailed, when, along with the deposition of marine sediments, volcanism took place. This stage ended with the era of folding with the introduction of magma into the earth's crust, as well as general uplift.

Until the end of the Carboniferous period, a process of new stages of subsidence of the territory and accumulation of marine sediments took place.

In the Jurassic period, almost the entire territory of the Main Range remained under water. The subsidence regime prevailing at this time was sometimes disrupted by short-term uplifts. By the beginning of the Late Jurassic era, the modern zone of the Main Caucasus Range was finally uplifted, and it was never again covered by the sea. The rest of the modern territory of the republic was covered by the sea with short interruptions until the end of the Eocene, after which the sea began to gradually retreat to the north. In the Miocene, the sea remained only in the northern part of the territory (north of the latitude of Adyge-Khablya), and at the beginning of the Upper Miocene the entire territory of Karachay-Cherkessia became stable land.

Geologically, three zones are conventionally distinguished in Karachay-Cherkessia, almost coinciding with the zones distinguished by the nature of the surface: I) northern - flat-hilly, where tertiary or very young deposits are mainly developed; 2) middle - foothill (mid-mountain), where there are a fairly wide strip of Cretaceous and Jurassic rocks; 3) southern - the region of the Lateral and Main Caucasian ridges, where ancient Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks are distributed predominantly. However, in the northern and middle parts of this zone there are also deposits of the Jurassic period, they are known in two depressions located north and south of the Side Range and received their names respectively - the North Jurassic and South Jurassic depressions.

The most ancient rocks - Paleozoic, whose age is determined in the range of 600 million - 1 billion years, emerge on the surface both in the axial part of the Main Caucasus Range and on its northern slopes. These are mainly various crystalline schists formed over many millions of years under the influence of high temperatures and pressures from sedimentary, volcanic and igneous rocks. Crystalline schists are cut through by numerous granite intrusions, much younger (their age is determined at 310-330 million years); They are found from the headwaters of Bol.Laba in the west to the headwaters of the Kuban in the east, as well as in the valleys of the Khasaut and Musht rivers in the southeast of the republic.

Rocks of the Silurian period are represented by sandstones, clayey and siliceous-clayey shales, less often lavas of various compositions, in the valley of the river. Khasaut - limestones and phyllites.

A rather narrow strip stretching along the latitude of Zagedan - Arkhyz - Verkh. Teberda - Uchkulan, volcanogenic formations of the Lower and Middle Devonian, represented by various lavas and their tuffs with interlayers of jasper-like rocks of various colors, come to the surface.

Lower Carboniferous rocks, represented by shales, sandstones, limestones, and small lava layers, are developed mainly along the river. Bol. Zelenchuk (in the Bogoslovka area), r. Marukha (area of ​​the city of Pastukhov) and stretch in a narrow strip from the sources of the river. To guides in the west to the right sources of the river. Kol-Tyuby in the east.

Rocks of Permian age are predominantly red-colored conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones, lavas of various compositions and their tuffs. These deposits are most widespread in the watershed of the Aksaut and Teberda rivers. In addition, Permian rocks are noted along the river. Bol. Zelenchuk north of Bogoslovka and in a narrow strip adjacent to the zone of the Main Caucasus Range from Arkhyz to Uchkulan.

A wide and continuous strip north of the latitude of the village Asian - Nizh. Arkhyz - Marukha - Nizh.Teberda - Khudes and to the foot of the Rocky Range rocks of the Lower and Middle Jurassic reach the surface. represented by sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, with horizons of effusive rocks and limestone. Lower and Middle Jurassic deposits are developed in the zone of the Main Caucasus Range and can be traced in the form of a narrow strip from the headwaters of the river. Small Laby to the source of the river. Teberda. The youngest are Quaternary deposits, mainly river, alluvial-deluvial and glacial, represented by pebbles, loams, sands, clays, etc. Glacial deposits are found mainly in the zone of the Main Caucasus Range, the rest are distributed everywhere.

Karst processes developed most actively in the last era of the continental regime. Here's how it happened:

Oligocene(Annex 1). The Caucasus is gradually rising and expanding. The Kuban Valley is formed, the mantle of sedimentary rocks of the Lower Paleogene is eroded, and the Upper Jurassic limestones are partially exposed.

Miocene. The Caucasus continues to rise, its relief is decreasing, which leads to a decrease in erosion-denudation processes. Carbonate rocks of the Paleozoic and Triassic, composing the Side Range, are exposed. The Oxford-Kimmeridgian limestones begin to karst.

Pliocene. The modern transverse valleys of the Laba rivers are specifically designated. Kuban, etc. Depressions begin to form, isolating the parallel ridges of the Greater Caucasus. Questa ridges of the Skalisty and Pastbishchny ridges are formed, where intensive processes of karstification of Mesozoic carbonate deposits begin.

Pleistocene. The Greater Caucasus is becoming a country of mountain glaciers, the area of ​​glaciers exceeds the modern one by about 8 times. The Skalisty and Pastbishchny ridges were not subject to glaciation and continued to karst intensively.

Many of the caves formed in that distant period may have remained almost unchanged by our time. The question of determining the age of karst cavities is complex and controversial.

We can get an idea of ​​the lower age limit of karst undergrounds based on the entire body of knowledge on the geology and geomorphology of the cavity in question. Even a thorough study of organic remains and other deposits preserved in caves (fossil bones of Pleistocene animals, pollen and spores of extinct plants, sinter formations, etc.) by physicochemical, radiological (determination of absolute and relative age by the C 14 carbon isotope, by isotopes uranium and radium, by spectral analysis and other methods) make it possible to approximately judge only the upper age limit for the formation of karst cavities, and, in particular, the age of the deposits themselves.

Conditions for accumulation cultural layers are created in caves without constant water flows. At the same time, the time separating the final cessation of water flow into karst cavities from the beginning of the accumulation of sediments in them may cover a significant period of geological epoch. Therefore, caves are always much older than their paleontological and archaeological deposits.

Karachay-Cherkessia borders on the west with Krasnodar region, in the north - with Stavropol, in the east - with the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, in the south - with Georgia and Abkhazia. More than 80% of the republic is mountainous, as evidenced by many beautiful photos the most impressive places in the region: mountain peaks, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, lakes and rivers.

The history of Karachay-Cherkessia is rich interesting facts, and the culture of the republic is unique and authentic. The Alans - the ancestors of today's Circassians - adopted Christianity two decades before the baptism of Rus'. This region survived the Tatar-Mongol invasion, Islamization, wars and mass deportations of indigenous people during the years of Soviet power. Karachay-Cherkessia officially became a republic in 1922, occupying territory in the foothills of the northwestern Caucasus.

Dzhuguturluchat glacier

The unpronounceable name of this glacier is translated from Karachay as “habitat of aurochs.” This natural attraction is located at an altitude of 3291 meters on the Dzhuguturluchat mountain range, which got its name thanks to the aurochs who lived here in ancient times.

The glacier is especially clearly visible from the Mussa-Achi-Tara plain. From here you can see a sheet of snow and ice, surrounded by contrasting colorful mountain vegetation. A small waterfall of melt water flowing down to the slopes of the mountain into the Russkaya meadow complements this picturesque picture.

Mount Erzog

The mountain is located on the western peak of the Teberdinsky ridge, its height is 3683 meters. According to legend, the local mountainous area was once the seabed, and the name Ertsog, derived from the Abkhazian “Eruakhz”, means the place where the ship crashed after hitting large rocks.

The majestic beauty of the mountain amazes with its inflexibility to the human perseverance of climbers and serves as an inspiration for poets and musicians. It is no coincidence that at the recreation center of the same name, located nearby, concerts are often held at which bards and poets from different cities perform. Locals believe that every second climber does not return from trips to the top of the mountain, so Herzog deserved his sad fame quite justifiably. Climbers have died more than once on rocky slopes without ever reaching their goal.

Peak Ine

The name of this creation of nature is translated as “needle”, which fully corresponds to the pointed shape of this peak. The 3,455 meter high peak stands out from all the other rocks around.

The best way to admire the peak, at the very top of which the snow cover never melts, is from Mount Mussa-Achitara. Under the rays rising sun it begins to sparkle with snow crystals and shine. In winter, the peak is covered from base to top with a snow-white sheet, making it look like a fragile snow sculpture.

Mount Chotcha

The uniqueness of this mountain is that two peaks of approximately equal length are formed from one base. One of them is called Front Chotcha, its height is 3637 meters and in appearance it looks more like a rock pyramid. The other, rising 3640 meters above sea level, is called the Back Chotcha. It is distinguished by sharper peaks and steep slopes.

The mountain owes its name to to the brave hunter Chotche. Once carried away by the pursuit of a tour, he forgot about caution and died between the rocks. Since then, this rock, seemingly cut in half, has served as a reminder of how to behave properly in the mountains, never forgetting to be careful.

Mount Sufruju and Tooth of Sufruju

This landmark of Dombay is located in the North Caucasus at an altitude of 3871 meters. The mountain attracts attention with its unusual shape. The fact is that it has northern and southern peaks, connected by a small gentle depression. The southern peak, whose height is 3600 meters, is shaped like an animal tooth. That is why the second name of the mountain became “Sufruju’s Tooth”, which translated means “tiger fang”.

The picturesque picture at the foot of the mountain is decorated with the Sufrudzhsky waterfall.

Mount Kara-Jash-Kaya

The mountain reaches a height of almost 3500 meters and is part of the Sofia ridge. Its name in various sources is translated as “black rock” or “rock of the black youth,” although it is not known exactly where these names came from. Climbers are attracted by the interesting location of the mountain and the beautiful views that open from its top.

Dombai glade

In the southern part of the Teberda Nature Reserve, in the upper reaches of the Teberda valley, the Dombay glade is located. It was formed due to the connection of 3 gorges (Alibek, Amanauz and Dombay-Yolgen) and is located at an altitude of approximately 1650 meters above sea level.

In summer, the lower part of the slopes and the bottom of the clearing are covered with a green carpet woven from beech trees, spruce and fir. Alpine meadows replacing impenetrable forests harmoniously complement the Dombay landscape. In winter, the valley resembles the kingdom of the snow queen, where everything is covered with a white sheet, frozen waterfalls look like huge icicles, and the rivers are covered with a thick layer of ice of an unusual azure color.

Bermamyt plateau

The plateau is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, 30 kilometers southwest of Kislovodsk. Its relief looks like a series of slopes that are unlike each other, on the tops of which there is a lot of Upper Jurassic limestone.

The plateau consists of two parts: Big Bermamyt, whose height is 2591 meters, and Small Bermamyt, rising at 2643 meters above sea level.

The appearance of the Brocken ghost has been noticed more than once in this place. This is the name given to an unusual natural phenomenon when rainbow circles with silhouettes of people appear in the clouds. Another feature of this place is considered to be St. Elmo's Lights - stones that glow from accumulated lightning strikes.

Alibek Gorge

One of the components of the Dombay Valley is the Alibek Gorge, a legendary and very famous place. Extraordinarily colorful landscapes, fascinating with their contrasts, are fraught with many secrets and dangers. The gorge gained sad fame due to the location of the climbers’ cemetery, where in the post-war years people who dedicated their lives to the mountains were buried.

Throughout the gorge, centuries-old forests are replaced by young birch and aspen forests, which complement the summer and especially autumn landscapes with bright colors. At the end of the gorge there is a very beautiful and relatively “young” Albek waterfall, formed as a result of the melting of glaciers during the period of global warming almost 50 years ago.

Dombay-Ulgen River

Dombay-Ulgen originates at the place where the Northern Ptysh and Chuchkhur rivers join. The river is a right tributary of the Amanauz River and flows simultaneously in Russia and Georgia. It is fed by melt water from the Northern Dzhuguturluchat, Ine, Eastern Dzhuguturluchat, Dombaysky, Northern Ptysh and Chuchkhursky glaciers.

The section of the river, whose name translates as “The Place Where the Bison Died,” in the Russkaya Polyana area is especially beautiful. The water here crashes against huge boulders, hisses and foams, showing all its obstinate character. A particularly beautiful view of the river opens from the ledge of the eastern part of the Semenov-Bashi ridge.

Baduk Lakes (Lower Baduk Lakes, Baduki)

Baduk Lakes are a complex of mountain lakes on the Baduk River, on the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve. The lakes are scattered along the river and are of landslide-dammed origin, that is, the relief was initially formed under the influence of a glacier, and then, as a result of a powerful landslide, it acquired its current form.

The first, smallest lake reaches a length of 80 meters, the second - a little more than 200 meters, and the third, largest - about 330 meters. The lakes are securely hidden among birch and pine groves, and in the fall, when the foliage changes from summer green to bright autumn colors, they look unusually beautiful.

Amanauz Canyon (Devil's Mill)

The canyon is approximately 1000 meters long and has unusual shape, then narrowing, then expanding. In some places the distance between the walls reaches 1 meter.

The second name of the canyon “Devil's Mill” is explained very simply. In summer, when the streams of the Amanauz River rush rapidly between the walls of the canyon, the water creates a very loud roar and a strong whirlpool. In addition, this place is very rarely illuminated by the sun's rays due to the narrowness of the mountains, so there is a feeling of gloom here.

Lake of Love

The lake is located in the Zelenchuk region of Karachay-Cherkessia, on the slope of the Morg-Syrty ridge. Hidden in the mountains at an altitude of approximately 2500 meters, this unusual lake with crystal clear water and a diameter of only 20 meters, it is the source of the Revunok River, but has no official name and is not indicated on maps.

The reservoir got its name due to its original heart-shaped shape. According to local beliefs, it symbolizes the purity and depth of feelings of lovers. The lake looks very beautiful in late spring and early summer, when the turquoise surface of the water is surrounded by bright green vegetation and blooming flowers.

Murudzhinsky lakes

Located in the valley of the Ullu-Murudzhu River, these lakes have become the most unique attraction of Dombay. The reservoirs are of karst origin, that is, they are located in rock faults.

One of the lakes, Goluboye, is located at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level and is the largest. Its diameter is 500 meters and its depth reaches 52 meters. To see a reservoir of an unusual deep blue color, you need to overcome 600 meters of altitude from the Ullu-Muruju valley.

Black Lake is nearby, but when going to it, you need to be careful of rockfalls. Here, as on the Bermamyt plateau, you can see Brocken ghosts appearing at dawn in the form of human shadows surrounded by a rainbow halo.

Sofia waterfalls

A group of waterfalls of glacial origin flowing from the Sofia glacier of Mount Sofia has become a symbol of Arkhyz - a place where Caucasian nature has been preserved in its original form. There are many legends telling about how this attraction appeared, as well as about the healing properties of the water.

Each waterfall is formed from jets of different power and height. The largest of them reaches 90 meters in height and falls in 2 cascades. Its flowing streams of water form a stunning picture: in clear weather, the sun's rays are reflected in clouds of water dust, making this place seem even more unusual.

Where the falling water breaks on the rocks at the foot of the mountain, the Sofia River originates.

Alibek waterfall

The most spectacular and largest waterfall on Dombay is considered to be Alibeksky, which is located in the western part of the Alibek gorge. Its jets are the waters of the Dzhalovchatka River, originating from the Alibek glacier, which fall from a height of 25 meters. The waterfall appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century: back in 1930, the rocky ledge along which the water flows today was covered with ice.

This attraction is located on the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve and amazes everyone who gets to it with its grandeur. The sound of water falling and crashing on rocks can be heard long before the waterfall itself appears.

Honey Falls

A group of waterfalls with such a sweet name is located in the Malokarachaevsky district on the Alikonovka and Echki-Bash rivers.

There are several versions of why they are called Honey. According to one assumption, honey-bearing herbs grew here in abundance; according to another, there were wild bees that died during the cold winter. Many newlyweds choose this place for their honeymoon.

Of the five waterfalls, the highest is Bolshoi Honey, its height is 18 meters. The Big and Small Honey waterfalls are located on the Echki-Bash River. On Alikonovka you can find the remaining three waterfalls: Zhemchuzhny, Hidden and Shumny. The rocky slopes along which water streams flow are covered with a green carpet woven from thick hazel and herbs.

Castle of deceit and love

Despite its romantic name, this place has sad story. According to legend, here two lovers wanted to jump from the edge of the abyss, escaping from pursuit: the princely daughter Dauta and the shepherd Ali. The girl did not have the courage to step off the cliff and she had to get married at the behest of her father. A year after the wedding, she died, and the grief-stricken prince turned into a cliff.

In fact, the Castle is the name given to a small rock in the gorge of the Alikonovka River, which looks like a structure with turrets and spiers. Dolomitized limestone found here in large quantities, gradually weathered, due to which over time such an unusual rock was obtained.

Sentinsky Temple

The Christian temple is located in the vicinity of the village of Nizhnyaya Teberda. The height of the building is 10 meters, and the length and width are approximately 8 meters. The temple has been perfectly preserved in terms of integrity and still stands proudly on the Burun-Syrt cliff. On the walls of this temple there are preserved unique frescoes XI century.

The temple was erected in the 10th century, when the Alans (the indigenous inhabitants of these places), freed from Khazar dependence, were baptized in 916. Construction technologies of that period can be called perfect. Constructed from sandstone blocks with limestone mortar, the building was able to withstand a thousand years without collapsing under the influence of natural forces.

Nizhne-Arkhyz historical-architectural and archaeological complex

The location of this attraction is Zelenchuksky district of Karachay-Cherkessia, near the village of Nizhny Arkhyz. In 1977, a historical, architectural and archaeological complex was founded on the site of the remains of the Alan city of Magas. According to scientists, here was the center of the patriarchate of Alania, a medieval state located in the foothills of the North Caucasus.

The area of ​​the complex is 94.5 hectares; on its territory there are such unique attractions as the solar calendar in the shape of a circle with a diameter of 88 meters, medieval Christian churches, turrets and walls of the ancient city. Services are still held in one of the temples of the complex, built in the 10th century.

Face of Christ on Mount Mitseshta

In 1999, local residents discovered an image of Christ on Mount Mitseshta in the village of Nizhny Arkhyz. The dimensions of the half-erased drawing are 140 centimeters in length and 80 centimeters in width. The rock image was painted using egg tempera using a technique typical of Byzantine icon painting of the 10th century.

According to historians, the face of Christ did not appear here by chance. At the foot of Mount Mitseshta there was an ancient settlement, which was the center of the Alan diocese. The Great Silk Road passed not far from this place. Along with the merchants, missionaries also followed it, carrying the banner of Christianity from Byzantium, and, perhaps, left symbols of faith in places of religious solitude.

Not far from Kislovodsk, in the valley of the small mountain river Alikonovka (the old name of the tract is Orekhovye Otvershki), there is a unique natural complex - Honey Falls. Here, among the mountain gorges, there is a whole group of waterfalls, the highest of which drops a stream of water from a height of 18 meters.

There are three versions explaining the origin of the name “Honey”. Firstly, they were named so because of the honey herbs blooming along the banks, secondly, there used to be a great variety of wild bees here, which died in the cold winter. But tourists most like the third version, the most romantic - this place, due to its beauty, was chosen by many newlyweds for their honeymoon.

And the place here is really very beautiful. Dolomite slopes rise to the right, and to the left are areas of rocks overgrown with grasses and thick hazel. Among the lush greenery, transparent streams of a mountain river cascade down from high ledges. Through the bright daytime sun, breaking into thousands of drops and hitting the rocks, a sheet of water turns sunlight into seven colors of the rainbow. In winter, the rapid stream freezes, and icicles hang like fringes all the way to the ground.

Baduk Lakes

Baduk lakes are a cascade of three mountain lakes, located along the Baduk River, in the Teberda Nature Reserve. These lakes are also called the Lower Baduk Lakes, and among the local population - Baduki for short. The lakes are beautiful in their beauty, surrounded by pine and birch forests. There are hiking trails around the lakes.

The first Baduk lake is the lowest along the river and also the smallest, its depth does not reach even five meters. After 260 meters there is the Second Lake, and after 60 the third: the largest and highest. The third lake is up to 9 meters deep and lies at an altitude of almost 2 thousand meters.

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Sofia waterfalls

Sofia Falls is the source of the Sofia River, one of the five rivers that form the river called Bolshoi Zelenchuk. It is from here that not only the entire flat part of Karachay-Cherkessia, but also the arid Stavropol region is fed with water from mountain rivers. Tons of water fall from a hundred-meter height, from the mighty Sofia glacier into the valley of the same name, with noise and roar, carrying large and small stones with it, calming down only far below, crashing on the green plain. The glacier feeding the waterfalls is located in a vast square under the very top of Mount Sofia, at an altitude of 3637 meters above sea level. Sofia waterfalls are the largest in Arkhyz. They are called pulsating - the flow of water in them is inconsistent, their peak occurs during the flood period of July-August, the time of greatest melting of snow in the mountains.

The Sentinsky Temple is a dilapidated abandoned Christian church, erected at the beginning of the 10th century. It is located on a hill on the left bank of the Teberda River in the Karachay region of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The building, built from sand blocks, is about eight meters long and about ten meters high. Elements of images painted in the 11th century have been preserved on the walls. Nearby is a stone necropolis, probably built for the burial of priests.

Since there was an Orthodox monastery near the temple in the 19th century, the monks supported the Sentinsky temple and were engaged in its reconstruction. During Soviet rule, the monastery was destroyed.

Mount Erzog

The peak of Mount Ertsog has a height of 3683 meters and is located in the western section of the Teberdinsky ridge. The name of this mountain comes from the Abkhaz word “Eruakhz”. According to legend, here once upon a time, a long time ago, a ship ran into a large stone and crashed.

This mountain of unusual beauty goes around the southwestern side of the Alibek River valley. The top of Mount Ertsog is so inspiring with its beauty that even Yuri Vizbor, who visited Dombay quite often, mentioned this unique and extraordinary miracle of nature in his song “Dombay Waltz”.

Dombai glade

Dombayskaya Polyana is a mountainous area that is located in Karachay-Cherkessia in Kuban in the North Caucasus of Russia. The southern border is the main Caucasus range. Its highest point is the peak of Dombay-Ulgen with a height of 4046 meters.

The connection of three main gorges - Amanauz, Alibek and Dombay-Ulgen forms the natural center of the territory - the Dombay glade, located at an altitude of 1650 meters above sea level.

The borders of Dombay do not have strict boundary designations. This is the modern name of the upper part of the Teberda River, uniting several mountain gorges.

The word "dombai" is translated from the Karachay language as "bison". Previously, large herds of these mighty giants lived in the Dombay forests. There is another version according to which the Dombay glade was named after the hunter Dommai, who, catching up with the aurochs, was able to kill the beast, but could not resist and fell from the mountain into the abyss and died.

Dombay today is one of the modern sports recreation centers.

Sofiyskaya Polyana

The middle part of the Sofia Valley is a narrow gorge, squeezed by the spurs of the Cheget-Chat and Sofia ridges. From here you can climb to the valley of the Gammesh-Chat river. In the upper part the valley widens again. There is a farm, sheep sheds and a tent camp, the so-called. Sofia glade. From this part of the valley you can climb to the Sofia Saddle pass, to the Ak-Ayry and Kashkha-Erikchat valleys.

This place is called the Sofia Shelter. Once upon a time there were houses used by organized tourists for accommodation. In the nineties they were dismantled for firewood. It usually starts snowing here in May.

From the shelter the valley begins to expand. Soon a farm appears (it should not be confused with the so-called Glacier Farm - a clearing under the Sofia Saddle pass. In this clearing, there was once a farm demolished by an avalanche), from which you can see the Ak-Ayra valley with waterfalls, the Sofia Glacier with waterfalls, Sophia Saddle pass. To ascend to the Ak-Ayra valley, you need to wade through Sofia above the farm, where the road descends to the river, and the river forms several branches. The “Sofia Polyana” tent camp is located slightly above this place.

Face of Christ on Mount Mitseshta

The face of Christ in Arkhyz. This icon is quite well hidden on the slope of the Matseshta ridge; various legends have been circulating about this Savior Not Made by Hands for many centuries. The image of Christ the Savior looks at the other bank of the river, at the middle temple, with which the painting of this icon is associated. Also, the Rock Face of Christ the Savior is possible that the appearance of the face coincides with the appearance of the Alan Diocese. Local old-timers say that several hundred years ago lightning struck the rock, breaking off a huge stone, and on the remaining part of the rock, on its steep part, the face of Christ the Savior was formed. According to another version, the image of Christ was created to protect the city from the plague epidemic that broke out in these places in the 14th century. Until now, no consensus has been reached on the appearance of this icon, but pilgrims from all over the world continue to flock to it.

Karachay-Cherkessia is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Two-thirds of its territory is occupied by the Greater Caucasus mountains: the Main Caucasian, or Watershed, ridge, Bokovoy and neighboring advanced ridges. The cavalry of nomads passed through this land, the indigenous peoples survived centuries of oppression, battles on the slopes of Elbrus with the mountain rangers of Nazi Germany and deportations.

ON THE LAND OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ALANS

Having built a state on the site of present-day Karachay-Cherkessia, the Alans could not withstand the onslaught of other nomads. The inhabitants who remained after the Alans were called Circassians.

Traces of human presence on the lands of present-day Karachay-Cherkessia date back to the Stone Age, to the Mousterian culture. Flint tools from that period were discovered at the mouth of the Ovechka River near Cherkessk. On the local land rich in ore deposits, as iron was developed, the original Upper Kuban culture, similar to the famous Koban culture, was formed. Since that time, the tradition of making Circassian edged weapons and armor began, which have no equal in the world either in terms of durability or richness of decoration with carvings and inlays.

In the first millennium BC. e. Scythian-Sarmatians lived in the north of what is now Karachay-Cherkessia, and Colchians lived in the south. In the IV-VIII centuries. Abkhazians settled in the mountain valleys, and Alans settled in the mountain gorges of the Kuban. At the end of the first millennium AD. e. The lands of Karachay-Cherkessia were part of the state of the Alans - nomadic Iranian-speaking tribes of Scythian-Sarmatian origin.

In 372, the Alans were defeated by the Huns, became involved in the process of the Great Migration of Peoples and were forced to hide in the foothills of the Caucasus. Here they switched to a sedentary lifestyle, taking up farming and raising livestock.

The Alans managed to overcome inter-tribal differences and created a union of Alan and local Caucasian tribes, which became the basis for the creation of an early feudal state in the Central Ciscaucasia, which lasted until the 13th century, when the Tatar-Mongol invasion began.

Alania was unable to resist the hordes of nomads and was already defeated by 1230. The surviving Alans found refuge in the mountain gorges of the Central Caucasus and Transcaucasia, where they assimilated with the local Caucasian population.

The territory of Karachay-Cherkessia was part of the Alanian state, and separate architectural monuments of that time: Zelenchuksky, Sentinsky, Shoaninsky Christian churches. Arkhyz settlement of the X-XI centuries.

Since the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols, all local tribes began to be called Circassians. Since the 15th century. they are waging a bloody struggle with the Crimean khans. As a result of the Russian-Turkish wars of the 18th century. Kuban became the border of the Russian Empire. After the defeat of Turkey in the wars, according to the Russian-Turkish Peace of Adrianople in 1828, the territory of modern Karachay-Cherkessia became part of Russia as Batal Pasha, a certain department of the Kuban region.

After the October Revolution of 1917, a unified North Caucasian Soviet Republic was created here. After graduation Civil War, in 1922, the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region was established. In 1926, it was divided into the Karachay Autonomous Okrug and the Circassian National District (since 1928, the Circassian Autonomous Okrug).

In 1942, during the Second World War, Cherkessk was captured by Nazi troops; fierce battles were fought in the mountains for the passes of the Main Caucasus Range, at an altitude of 4000 m, among glaciers and rocks. During the war, 15 people from Karachay-Cherkessia became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

In 1943, the Karachay Autonomous Okrug was liquidated, the population was forcibly evicted. The Stalinist leadership accused the Karachais of treason during the years of the German offensive in the Caucasus. In 1957, the united Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Okrug was created.

In 1992, a referendum was held in which, according to official results, the majority of the population of Karachay-Cherkessia spoke out against division. Since December 9, 1992, this land has been called the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

About 80% of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic is located in mountainous areas. Within the republic there are three zones: the foothill plain, the foothills and the Caucasus mountains. The main river is the Kuban. On the border with Kabardino-Balkaria is Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in the Caucasus.

RESERVED EDGE

Karachay-Cherkessia is located in the zone of mountain steppes and deciduous forests. Rich flora and fauna have been preserved in the forests and highlands. On the territory of the republic there are the Teberda Nature Reserve and partly the Caucasus Nature Reserve.

Teberdinsky biosphere reserve located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. The reserve was founded in 1936 and covers an area of ​​85 thousand hectares. The terrain here is mountainous, and the highest mountain is Dombay-Ulgen (4042 m). The main river is Teberda, in the valley of which traces of ancient glaciation have been preserved. There are 151 lakes of glacial origin in the reserve, the largest of which is Blue Ullu-Murudzhinskoye Lake.

About 1,100 plant species grow on the territory of the reserve, of which 272 are endemic to the Caucasus, and 21 species are listed in the Red Book of Russia. The reserve is home to 47 species of mammals, including Caucasian deer, Caucasian brown bear, lynx, forest cat, stone marten, Caucasian weasel, and especially valuable species - Caucasian tur and chamois. 202 species of birds live here, including hobby, snowcock, and Caucasian lentil. The most common fish is trout.

Teberda Nature Reserve is an environmental research and environmental education center of federal significance. In 1994, the reserve was awarded the Diploma of the Council of Europe, 1st degree. In 1997, the reserve received biosphere status. Karachay-Cherkessia is an agricultural and industrial republic. In the north, light industry, chemical production and livestock farming are more developed, in the south - mining and woodworking industries. There are significant reserves of copper ore and various building materials: granite, marble of various colors, limestone and many types of clay.

Tourism is of great importance for the economy of the republic, especially given the mountainous nature of the area - mountaineering. This sport is practiced mainly in the south of the republic, where the main mountain resorts are concentrated: Dombay, Arkhyz, Teberda and others.

Arkhyz is a mountainous region in the upper reaches of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River (after the name of the Karachay aul, in the past - the Arkhyz settlement). In the X-XM centuries. The Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement was an outpost of Byzantine influence in the North Caucasus. Large Christian churches of medieval Alanya have survived to this day. Part of the Great Silk Road passed through the gorge.

Ski resort Dombay is located at an altitude of 1650 m, at the foot of the Main Caucasus Range in the Dombay Glade, an intermountain basin at the foot of the northern slope of the Caucasus Range. Dombay Glade is famous for its exceptionally clean air.

Transport links on the territory of the republic are poorly developed.

This explains how geographical features region, as well as the difficult political situation throughout the North Caucasus. So. Karachay-Cherkessia does not have its own airport, and the nearest one is in Mineralnye Vody (Stavropol Territory).

Karachay-Cherkessia is still one of the most unstable North Caucasian republics. There is a frequent change of power here; a solution to long-standing conflicts on ethnic and religious grounds, which become especially acute during the election of the President of the Republic, has not yet been found.

FUN FACTS

■ The coat of arms of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic was adopted on February 3, 1994; it has a round shape, with a stylized silhouette of Elbrus in the center of the composition.

■ The Karachay horse breed has been formed over many centuries. Horses are adapted to life in the mountains and easily move over mountains and rocks. In 1998-1999 These horses were used for the first ever horseback expeditions to Elbrus.

■ Mount Elbrus has different names among different peoples: Mingitau (Karachay-Balkar), Elburus (Nogai), Askhartau (Kumyk), Jin-padishah (Turkic), Albar (Iranian), Yalbuz (Georgian), Oshkhamakho (Kabardian), Shat -mountain (Old Russian).

■ Circassian - men's outerwear, common among many peoples of the Caucasus and borrowed by the Terek and Kuban Cossacks. Distinctive feature Circassian coats are gazyri - special pockets for pencil cases. The pencil case contained a charge of gunpowder and a bullet to load a flintlock or matchlock gun at a gallop. In the outer pencil cases, located almost under the armpits, dry wood chips were stored for kindling.

■ Alibek waterfall is one of the most big waterfalls in Dombay. more than 25 m high. Appeared in the 20th century. In the 1930s there was no waterfall, and the rocky ledge was covered by the tongue of the Alibek glacier, which retreats upward by a meter and a half every year.

■ The Military-Sukhumi Road, known in ancient times as the Turkish Trail, connects the city of Cherkessk through the Klukhorsky Pass (2781 m) and the Kodori Gorge with the capital of Abkhazia - Sukhumi and is the shortest route from Caucasus Mountains to the Black Sea.

ATTRACTIONS

■ Teberda Nature Reserve;
■ Arkhyz mountain region;
■ Dombay ski resort: Dombay glade, Belalakaya (Striped rock);
■ G Elbrus;
■ Polovtsian statue “Bowl Holder” (right bank of Bolshoi Zelenchuk);
■ Religious buildings: Sentinsky temple (south of Karachaevsk, first half of the 10th century), Shoaninsky temple (north
Karachaevsk, first half of the 10th century), Zelenchuk, or Nizhne-Arkhyz, temples (gorge of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River, 10th century);
■ Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement (Arkhyz settlement) (village of Nizhny Arkhyz, X-XII centuries);
■ Gumbashi Pass (Upper Mara);
■ Monument to Kurman-Ali Kurdzhiev (Karachaevok);
■ Museum of Tourism and Mountaineering (Teberda).

Atlas. The whole world is in your hands No. 101

Karachay-Cherkess Republic (Karachay-Cherkess Republic; Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Kabard-Cherkess Republic, Karacha-Cherkess Republic, Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Leg. Karachay-Sherkesh Republic) is a republic within the Russian Federation, subject of the Russian Federation, part of the North Caucasus Federal District.

The capital is the city of Cherkessk.

It borders in the west with the Krasnodar Territory, in the north with the Stavropol Territory, in the east with the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, in the south along the Main Caucasus Range with Georgia, as well as with Abkhazia (which is a partially recognized state; at the same time, according to the administrative territorial division of Georgia, is part of Georgia).

A ski and tourist resort praised by Vizbor. It is interesting primarily because many famous peaks (Belalakaya, Zub, Sofrudzhu, Ertsog, etc.) are visible directly from the village in all their glory. If there is a place in the world that is “better to see once,” then it is, of course, Dombay - a country of blue skies, generous sun and snowy peaks, a country sung by poets. Throughout the history of Dombay, quite a few of them have visited here, as have artists and musicians, or even just people in love with the mountains, “sick” of the mountains. The world-famous Dombay glade, located at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level, in the heart of the mountains, is formed by the mouths of the Amanauz (Evil Mouth) and its two tributaries - Alibek and Dombay-Yolgen. These rivers originate at the peaks of the same name. The last one, Dombay-Yolgen (Killed Bison), gave the name to Dombay itself (in Karachay “dommai” means “bison”).

Dombay is not an administrative concept, and its boundaries do not have strictly defined boundaries. This is a modern, although rooted in tradition, name for the upper reaches of the Teberda River, a large tributary of the Kuban, uniting several mountain gorges originating from the Main Caucasus Range. The word “dombai” (dommai) means “bison” in Karachay; once upon a time, entire herds of mighty giants roamed the Dombay forests.

Dombay is one of the modern centers of recreation and sports, a mountaineering, skiing and tourist Mecca of the Greater Caucasus. With the advent of a market economy in Russia, the hotel industry has undergone rapid development. Currently, a tourist complex of several dozen hotels, including modern mini-hotels, operates in Dombayskaya Polyana.

Sofrudzhinsky waterfall

Mount Dombay-Ulgen

Dombay-Yolgen is the top of the western part of the Main, or Watershed, ridge of the Greater Caucasus (on the border of Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic), at the source of the Teberda River. The height is 4046 m, this is the highest point in Abkhazia. It is composed of gneisses, crystalline schists, and granites. Covered with eternal snow and glaciers.

Dombay-Ulgen is the highest peak of Dombay, located east of the village of Dombay, has three peaks: western (4036 m), main (4046 m) and eastern (3950 m). A steep ridge extends from the main peak to the north, ending in a depression - the “Dombay saddle”. From the Dombay saddle it goes up classic route(category 3B), available for ascent in one day with a descent to the camp located either at the Dombay Col site or the Ptysh bivouac. In 1960, a mountaineering expedition of 4 people, led by Igor Erokhin, died on the top of Dombay-Ulgen.

GPS coordinates: N43.24406 E41.72571

Address of Dombay village.

Klukhor Pass

Pass on the Military-Sukhumi road at an altitude of 2781 m through the Main Caucasus ridge. It was also described by ESBE: “A stone path was built along the Kodor gorge through the Klukhorsky pass in the main Caucasus ridge, for communication between Sukhum and Cherkessk." Leads from the Kodor basin to the upper reaches of the Kuban. The Kodor and Teberda rivers flow through.

Klukhorsky pass is the highest mountain section of the Military-Sukhumi road. Its section leading through the Klukhor Pass is currently not suitable for automobile traffic. Transport communications along the Military-Sukhumi Road depend on the weather in this section. In winter, snow drifts are frequent here. After the armed Georgian-Abkhaz conflict of 1992-1993, through traffic on the road was closed.

A very picturesque road along its entire length with steep serpentines rises along the Gonachkhir River, which runs in a powerful stream to meet Amanauz. The place of their confluence is considered the beginning of Teberda. From the road there is a view of the gorges of the Bu-Yolgen, Chotcha, Khakol, Northern Klukhor rivers, originating from the powerful glaciers of the peaks of the same name. The road leads to Lake Tubanly-Kel (Misty Lake), also called Trout Lake. It is located at an altitude of 1850m. Its length is 275 m, width - 120 m. The lake is cold and deep, but on hot days the water warms up and you can swim.

GPS coordinates: N43.24416 E41.86527

Address Dombay.

Alibeksky Waterfall

One of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in Dombai, Karachay-Cherkessia. The height of the waterfall is more than 25 meters. The waterfall is formed by the fall of the Dzhalovchatka river from the Alibek glacier; The stones from which water falls are called “ram’s foreheads.”

Alibek waterfall appeared in the 20th century. Back in the 1930s, there was no waterfall, and the rocky ledge was covered by the tongue of the Alibek glacier, which retreats upward by a meter and a half every year. A popular hiking destination. Located on the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve. Nearest settlements: Alibek alpine camp (approximately 2 km), Dombay village (approximately 7 km).

GPS coordinates: N43.29726 E41.55754

Address Dombay, Alibek river valley.

Dombai glade

It is located surrounded by mountain ranges at the intersection of the Dombay-Ulgen, Amanauz and Alibek rivers at an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level. Beautiful panoramic views, the starting point of many excursion routes.

GPS coordinates: N43.29104 E41.62173

Address of the village Dombay.

History of Karachay-Cherkessia

At the end of the first millennium AD, the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia was part of the state of the Alans; individual architectural monuments of that time have been preserved: Zelenchuk, Sentinsky, Shoanin Christian churches, fortifications. Since the first half of the 19th century (according to the Russian-Turkish Treaty of Adrianople in 1828), the territory of modern Karachay-Cherkessia has been part of Russia as the Batalpashinsky department of the Kuban region.

Since 1918, Soviet power has been established here. From April 1, 1918, the territory was part of the Kuban Soviet Republic, from May 28, 1918 - part of the Kuban-Black Sea Soviet Republic, from July 5 to December 1918 - part of the North Caucasus Soviet Republic. From December 1918 to April 1920 it was controlled by the White Guard AFSR. Since January 20, 1921 - part of the Mountain Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

On January 12, 1922, the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region was formed as part of the South-Eastern (since 1924 - North Caucasus) region, with its center in the village of Batalpashinskaya (later renamed the city of Sulimov, Ezhovo-Cherkessk and, finally, received the modern name Cherkessk) .

On April 26, 1926, by a decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the KChAO was divided into the Karachay Autonomous Region, the Circassian National District (from April 30, 1928 - an autonomous region), Batalpashinsky and Zelenchuksky districts.

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Karachay Autonomous Region was liquidated on October 12, 1943, and the Karachays were recognized as accomplices of the fascist troops and on November 2, 1943, deported to Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The southern part of Karachay went to Georgia (as the Klukhorsky district), and most of it was annexed to the Stavropol Territory.

After the rehabilitation of the Karachais with permission to return to their native lands, on January 12, 1957, the Cherkess Autonomous Region was transformed into the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Okrug as part of the Stavropol Territory. Zelenchuksky, Karachaevsky and Ust-Dzhegutinsky districts of the Stavropol Territory were also transferred to her.

to form the Urupsky district - the center is the village of Pregradnaya.

abolish the Urup industrial region of the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region

Adyge-Khablsky, Zelenchuksky, Karachayevsky, Malokarachayevsky, Prikubansky and Khabezsky rural areas of the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region should be transformed into districts.

On November 30, 1990, the Council of People's Deputies of the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region decided to secede from the Stavropol Territory and transform into the Karachay-Cherkess Soviet Socialist Republic (KCSSR) within the RSFSR, which was approved by the RSFSR Law of July 3, 1991 No. 1537-1 .

In 1989-1991, congresses of individual peoples of Karachay-Cherkessia, convened by national movements, began to appeal to the leadership of the RSFSR with a request for the restoration or creation of individual autonomies.

At congresses of deputies of all levels the following were proclaimed:

November 18, 1990 - Karachay Soviet Socialist Republic (since October 17, 1991 - Karachay Republic),

in November 1991 - the Abaza Republic,

August 19, 1991 - Batalpashinskaya Cossack Republic and Zelenchuk-Urupskaya Cossack Soviet Socialist Republic (November 30, 1991 united into the Upper Kuban Cossack Republic).

After many days of thousands of rallies, on December 3, 1991, by resolution of the Supreme Council of Karachay-Cherkessia, an appeal was adopted to the federal center to recognize individual republics.

In January 1992, Russian President Boris Yeltsin was ready to recognize the division of Karachay-Cherkessia and submitted draft laws “On the restoration of the Karachay Autonomous Region and the Cherkessian Autonomous Region within the Russian Federation” to the Supreme Council of the RSFSR. A commission of the Supreme Council for the education of three autonomous regions was created - Karachay, Cherkessk, Batalpashinsk.

On March 28, 1992, a referendum was held in which, according to official results, the majority of the population of Karachay-Cherkessia opposed division. The division was not legalized, and a single Karachay-Cherkessia remained, which became the Karachay-Cherkess Republic on December 9, 1992.

Population of Karachay-Cherkessia

Karachay-Cherkessia is a multinational republic: representatives of more than 80 nationalities live on its territory. The population of the republic, according to Rosstat, is 469,837 people. (2014). Population density - 32.90 people/km2 (2014). Urban population - 43.07% (2013).

National composition

Number in 2010, Number in 2002,

Karachais ↗ 194,324 (41.0%) 169,198 (38.5%)

Russians ↗ 150,025 (31.6%) 147,878 (33.6%)

Circassians ↗ 56,466 (11.9%) 49,591 (11.3%)

Abaza ↗ 36,919 (7.8%) 32,346 (7.4%)

Nogais ↗ 15,654 (3.3%) 14,873 (3.4%)

Ossetians ↘ 3,142 3,333

Political situation

On July 30, 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev submitted to the People's Assembly (Parliament) of Karachay-Cherkessia the candidacy of Boris Ebzeev to vest him with the powers of the president of the republic. Ebzeev has worked as a judge of the Constitutional Court since 1991. On August 5, 2008, at an extraordinary session of deputies of the People's Assembly, Boris Ebzeev was unanimously vested with the powers of the President of Karachay-Cherkessia, and on September 4 he officially took office.

On February 26, 2011, B. S. Ebzeev resigned of his own free will. On the same day, the head of the federal state institution “Department of Federal highways on the territory of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic of the Federal Road Agency" Rashid Temrezov.

On February 28, 2011, the President of Russia submitted Temrezov’s candidacy for consideration by the People’s Assembly of Karachay-Cherkessia to vest the powers of the head of the republic. His candidacy was approved on March 1.

Famous people

Dima Bilan (b. 1981, Ust-Dzheguta) is a Russian singer.

Yuri Popov (b. 1929) - opera singer, People's Artist of the USSR (1978).

Vladimir Khubiev (b. 1932) - Chairman of the Karachay-Cherkess Regional Executive Committee (1979-1990), Head of Karachay-Cherkessia (1990-1999).

Vladimir Semenov (b. 1940) - Army General, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces - Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR-RF (1991-1997), President of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (1999-2003).

Vladimir Bryntsalov (b. 1946) is a Russian entrepreneur and politician.

Mikhail Eskindarov (b. 1951) - rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Economics (2000), professor (1998).

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTO:

Team Nomads

http://culttourism.ru/karachaevo-cherkessiya/

Nature of Karachay-Cherkessia.

Wikipedia website.

http://www.nashikurorty.ru/

Photosite.

Website of the Teberda Nature Reserve.