Sochi stretches along the Black Sea coast at the foot of the western part of the main Caucasus mountain range. It was established in 1896 on the site of the former Navaginskoye fort and began developing as a resort area in 1902 .The presence of mineral springs, attractive coastal and mountain scenery, long beaches, and the warm climate have made Sochi a large and popular holiday and health resort.
The average temperature in winter is 8-10 C ; and it rarely rises above 30 C in summer. There are about 200 days of sunshine a year.
Sochi has dozens of hotels, tourist centres, and campsites and more than 50 sanatoriums. Its streets and gardens are filled with exotic subtropical trees and shrubs. Sochi architectural ensemble was constructed in the 30-es and the 50-es to the design of the best Soviet architects.