Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region, situated at the juncture of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's center. About the size of Portugal or the US state of Maine, Azerbaijan has a total land area of approximately 86,600 square kilometers, less than 1% of the land area of the former Soviet Union. Of the three Transcaucasian states, Azerbaijan has the greatest land area. Special administrative subdivisions are the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by a strip of Armenian territory, and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, entirely within Azerbaijan. The status of Nagorno-Karabakh is disputed by Armenia, but is internationally recognized as territory of Azerbaijan.
Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region, on the coast of the Black Sea. Sometimes considered a transcontinental country, it is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, and is today generally regarded as part of Europe. It is bordered to the north and northeast by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan.
The Kura is an east-flowing river south of the Greater Caucasus Mountains which drains the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus east into the Caspian Sea. It also drains the north side of the Lesser Caucasus while its main tributary, the Aras, drains the south side of those mountains. Starting in northeastern Turkey, it flows through Turkey to Georgia, then to Azerbaijan, where it receives the Aras as a right tributary, and enters the Caspian Sea at Neftçala. The total length of the river is 1,515 kilometres (941 mi).
The Rioni is the main river of western Georgia. It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti. The city of Kutaisi, once the ancient city of Colchis, lies on its banks. It drains the western Transcaucasus into the Black Sea while the river Kura, drains the eastern Transcaucasus into the Caspian Sea.
Likhi Range or Surami Range is a mountain range in Georgia, a part of the Caucasus mountains. It connects the Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus ranges and belongs to the Dzirulula denudative Plateau. It is watershed of the Black and Caspian seas basins and divides the country climatically and geomorphologically.
The Alazani is a river that flows through the Caucasus. It is the main tributary of the Kura in eastern Georgia, and flows for 351 kilometres (218 mi). Part of its path forms the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, before it meets the Kura at the Mingəçevir Reservoir. The river is likely the same as that referred to by classical authors Strabo and Pliny as "Alazonius" or "Alazon", and may also be the Abas River mentioned by Plutarch and Dio Cassius (37.3) as the location of the Battle of the Abas.
The Aragvi and its basin are in Georgia on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. The river is 112 kilometres (70 mi) long, and its basin covers an area of 2,740 square kilometres (1,060 sq mi). The ground strata are mostly sandstone, slate, and limestone. The Zhinvali Dam and its 130 MW hydro-electric power station generate much of Georgia's power, and its construction in 1986 formed the Zhinvali Reservoir, upon whose north-western shores rises Ananuri castle with its 17th-century Church of the Assumption.
The Enguri is a river in western Georgia. It is 213 km (132 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 4,060 km2 (1,570 sq mi). It originates near Ushguli in northeastern Svaneti and plays an important role providing hydroelectric power to the area.
Fauna of Azerbaijan or animal kingdom of Azerbaijan refers to the diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground or water area in Azerbaijan.
The water bodies of Azerbaijan were formed over a long geological timeframe and changed significantly throughout that period. This is particularly evidenced by remnants of ancient rivers found throughout the country. The country's water systems are continually changing under the influence of natural forces and human introduced industrial activities. Artificial rivers (canals) and ponds are a part of Azerbaijan's water systems.
The Iori is a river in the South Caucasus that originates in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in eastern Georgia and continues to flow south into Azerbaijan, where it is also known as Gabirry (Qabirry). The river eventually flows into the Mingachevir reservoir, which is drained by Kura. It is 320 km (200 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 4,650 km2 (1,800 sq mi). It starts in the mountains northeast of Tianeti, flows through that town, swings east and flows through the lowlands parallel to and between the Alazani (north) and the Kura (south).
Glaciers in Georgia are mainly located along the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.
The Georgian S1 route, is a "road of international importance" with a registered length of 542.7 kilometres (337.2 mi) within the Georgian classification system, which makes it the longest Georgian highway route. It runs from Tbilisi via Mtskheta, Gori, Khashuri, Zestaponi, Kutaisi, Samtredia, Senaki, Zugdidi, Sukhumi and Gagra to the border with Russia near Leselidze at the northwestern tip of the country, covering in practice 537 kilometres (334 mi). After crossing the Georgia–Russia border in breakaway Abkhazia, the highway continues to Sochi and Krasnodar as A147. It is part of European E60, E97 and E117 routes and Asian Highways AH5, AH81 and AH82, and connects with six other S-routes.
The Georgian S5 route, also known as Tbilisi-Bakurtsikhe-Lagodekhi or Kakheti Highway, is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Tbilisi via Sagarejo and Bakurtsikhe to the border with Azerbaijan near Lagodekhi over a distance of 160 kilometres (99 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Azerbaijan border the highway continues as M5 to Zagatala and Yevlakh. The S5 highway is one of the two Georgian S-highways that is not part of the European or Asian international highway routes. Within the Georgian S-network it connects with the S9 Tbilisi Bypass.
The Mulkhra or Mulkhura is a river in Mestia Municipality, Georgia, right tributary of the Enguri. It is located in the region Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, in the northwestern part of the country, 230 km (140 mi) northwest of the capital Tbilisi. Length 27 km (17 mi), basin area 435 km2 (168 sq mi). It originates on the southern slope of the Svaneti Caucasus main ridge, on the Tviberi Glacier and joins the Enguri River near the village Kvanchianari. Mulkhura feeds on glaciers, snow, rain and groundwater. Floods are known from April to October, and water shortages - from October to April, from late November to late March - on the ice and in Toshi. The average annual flow at the confluence is 22.5 m3/s (790 cu ft/s).
The Main Caucasian Range is a mountain range in the Russian Federation, Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is the dividing range of the Greater Caucasus.
Alazani
Aragvi River
Çoruh River
Enguri River
Kura River
Rioni River
