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. |