Geography

Country name: Republic of South Ossetia

Capital: Tskhinval

Location: South Ossetia is located in Southwestern Asia, on the southern slopes of the central Caucasus, bordering Georgia and Russia (to the North). The length of the Russian border is about 74 km (46 miles); the length of the Georgian border is about 400 km (248.5 miles).

Geographic coordinates:
42°44'46.31" N, 43°47'37.26" E (G) - Northern-most point
42°01'18.68" N, 44°19'20.97" E (G) - Southern-most point
42°21'16.64" N, 43°35'40.46" E (G) - Western-most point
42°12'02.62" N, 44°37'33.44" E (G) - Eastern-most point

Area: South Ossetia covers an area of about 3,900 km2 (1,506 sq mi)

Terrain and elevation extremes:

South Ossetia is extremely mountainous. Most of the country, 89.3%, is situated 3,000 feet above sea level. The main ridge of the Caucasus is a formidable barrier separating South and North Ossetia, many of its peaks are 11,000 feet and higher. The country's highest spot, the peak of Mount Khalatsa, is 13,000 feet high. The most important passage through the Caucasus is a tunnel under Rokhsky pass: Roki Tunnel (or Rokhsky Tunnel), which was completed in 1985.

The soils on the lower levels (3,000 and below) are mostly rich, while the mountain slopes are covered with forests: the lower forest belt consists of oak trees and shrub vegetation; higher up in the mountains beech, hornbeam, and maples blend in to it. And softwood forests dominate in the high mountain forest zone. There are subalpine and alpine meadows above the high forest zone and the highest slopes are covered with glaciers.

Due to relatively high annual precipitation (up to 30 inches) and mountain glaciers there is a thick system of rivers in the country, the main ones among them are the Great Liakhvi River, the Little Liakhvi River, the Ksani River, the Lekhura River, and the Medzhuda River.

South Ossetia from space. Picture by NASA.

Climate:

The climate in South Ossetia is moderate, and it is influenced by the main ridge of the Caucasus. The ridge serves as a powerful barrier to the cold winds from the North, and as a result even at high elevations the climate is warmer than it is on the northern side. The average temperature in January is about 30°F, and in July about 72-77°F.

Natural resources:

Ore and non-metallic mineral resources, lead-zinc ore, copper, nickel, tin, brick clay, limestone, marble, forests, mineral water springs.

View of a typical South Ossetian mountain village. Picture by geo-zorro.

A memorial to the victims of the 2003 Georgian-Ossetian conflict in Tskhinval. Picture by BETE2007.

View from the Roki Tunnel. Picture taken from the site http://www.osradio.ru.

Edissko-Ermansky reserve with its majestic Alpine flora and unique two-story crypts. Picture by BETE2007.

Ancient towers in Erman - the highest elevation of all inhabited areas in South Ossetia.

Ancient church in the Kornis village in South Ossetia.