Physical Environment: Gorgas
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Over 200,000 square miles comprise the Caucasus, a mountainous region located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. The Caucasus includes Atropia, Gorgas, and Limaria, as well as parts of Ariana and Donovia. The Caucasus Mountains, consisting of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges, traditionally form the separation between Europe and Asia. The Caucasus region contains two major parts—the North Caucasus and the South Caucasus—that are divided by the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The North Caucasus region is contained entirely within Donovia, while the South Caucasus contains Atropia, Gorgas, Limaria, and part of Ariana.
| Measure | Data | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Land Area (sq miles) | 28,401 | Includes inland water |
| Land Border (miles) | 1,143 | Atropia (188); Donovia (649); Limaria (136) |
| Coastline (miles) | 193 | |
| Arable (Cultivated) Land (%) | 12 | Kolhketi Lowland and southeastern mountain valleys |
| Perm. Crops (%) | 2 | |
| Perm. Pasture (%) | 25 | |
| Irrigated Land (%) | 5 | |
| Forested Land (%) | 41 | Foothills and mountains |
Terrain
Mountain ranges dominate Gorgas. The Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and western halves, the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range separates Gorgas from Donovia’s North Caucasus Republics, and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains serve as Gorgas’ southern boundary with Limaria. At 16,400 feet above sea level, the Greater Caucasus Range reaches a much higher elevation than the Lesser Caucasus. Mount Shkhara in the Greater Caucasus, at 17,059 feet, represents Gorgas’ highest peak. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains do not exceed 1,000 feet in elevation and actually consist of various, interconnected mountain ranges. Prominent features of the area include the Javeki volcanic plateau, numerous lakes, mineral water, and hot springs.
Bodies of Water
Gorgas possesses numerous rivers, many of which provide power to small hydroelectric stations. The Kura River flows across the plains of eastern Gorgas through the capital of Tbilisi, and spills into the Caspian Sea; it is Gorgas’ longest river. The Rioni, Gorgas’ second-largest river, originates from sources on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, flows west, and enters the Black Sea near Poti. Used as a means of both domestic and industrial waste disposal, the Rioni is highly polluted.
Mobility Classification
The dense random construction patterns in major cities will slow down troop movement, especially mechanized or motorized. The enemy will use the narrow alleys between buildings to conduct ambushes. Poor winter weather and lack of roads will challenge military planners, as significant areas may become inaccessible for nearly half of the year. Travelers will find Gorgan roads in generally poor condition, subject to banditry, vulnerable to rock and mudslides, and even possibly having landmines in some areas. The terrible road conditions will increase vehicle breakdowns and increase maintenance requirements.
Natural Hazards
Gorgas, as a mountainous area, is subject to both seismic activity and mudslides. The most recent earthquake occurred on 8 September of last year in the mountainous northern province of Rioni. This earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale but caused no causalities or major damage. The previous major earthquake measured 6.0 on the Richter scale and struck Tbilisi in 2003. The earthquake killed six people and caused significant damage to the capital’s Old Town. Earthquakes, spring snow melt, and heavy autumn rains often cause mudslides throughout the mountainous country.
Subterranean Environment
With its history of irregular and regular warfare, insurgent and guerrilla forces and criminal organizations within and from countries bordering Gorgas have created networks of tunnels to support their activities. This has proved to be a challenge for the Gorgan military and police forces as the government attempts to maintain security and territorial integrity.
Vegetation
Land Cover
Forests cover 41% of Gorgas’ territory, mainly along the foothills and the mountains. Forests in the western part of the country located below 1,968 feet above sea level consist of oak, ash, beech, and chestnut. Between 1,968 and 5,904 feet, forests with broad-leaf trees such as spruce and beech are prevalent. The tree line ends at about 5,904 feet, and the alpine zone extends to 9,840 feet. In eastern Gorgas, forests usually grow between 1,640 and 6,560 feet, with the alpine zone from 6,560 to 11,480 feet.
Agriculture
While Gorgans can only cultivate 12% of the country’s land, the agricultural industry employs 55.6% of Gorgas’ total labor force and generates 11% of the total GDP. Agricultural activities occur primarily in the Kolkheti Lowland in the west and the mountain valleys in the far southeastern part of the country. Agricultural products include citrus, grapes, tea, and hazelnuts. Tea plantations occupy more than 150,000 acres and possess the most modern picking machinery. The vineyards constitute one of the oldest and most important branches of Gorgan agriculture. Gorgan winemaking dates to 300 BC and, through centuries of trial and error, winemakers have produced more than 500 grape varieties. Orchards occupy some 320,000 acres, and the slight differences in climate and soil affect the yield, quality, and taste of Gorgan fruit. Sugar beets and tobacco also play a significant role as Gorgan commercial crops. Gorgan farmers produce some grains, especially wheat, but not enough to meet domestic needs, so Gorgas must import wheat.
Climate
The subtropics to the east and the Black Sea in the west greatly affect Gorgas’ climate. The Greater Caucasus mountain range also plays an important role, as it moderates Gorgas’ climate and protects the country from the penetration of colder air masses from the north while warm, moist air from the west moves into the coastal lowlands.
Seasons
| Season | Months | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December–February | |
| Spring | March–May | |
| Summer | June–August | |
| Fall | September–November |
Weather
Precipitation
Compared to other countries in the Caucasus, precipitation in Gorgas tends to occur somewhat uniformly throughout the year. Western Gorgas, with an annual precipitation between 40 to 80 inches, experiences heavy rainfall throughout the year but reaches its peak in the autumn and winter. In eastern Gorgas, precipitation decreases in proportion with distance from the Black Sea. The eastern plains and foothills receive between 16 and 28 inches of precipitation annually, but this amount doubles in the mountains. Southeastern Gorgas contains the country’s driest region, with little precipitation in the winter and the most rainfall in late spring.
Temperature—Heat Index
Low-elevation areas in much of eastern Gorgas have hot summers, but the mountainous areas usually experience mild temperatures. The highest lowland temperatures occur in July and reach about 77°F. Summer temperatures in the mountains shielding eastern Gorgas’ plains from the Black Sea range from 38°F to 74°F.
Temperature—Wind Chill
Eastern Gorgas has relatively cold winters, while the areas farther west experience a much milder season. In eastern Gorgas, mean daily temperatures only reach the low 30s. Along the Black Sea coast and adjacent plains, the mean daily temperature is 42°F in the winter months.
Relative Humidity
Most of Gorgas experiences moderate to high humidity year-round. The Black Sea coastal areas and Kolkheti lowland in the west are humid, with the lowlands gradually giving way to the semi-humid areas surrounding the Kura River. The Greater Caucasus Mountains to the north experience moderate humidity, while the Lesser Caucasus to the south are semi-arid. Humidity is lowest in the far southeast portion of Gorgas along the Kura River, which experiences an arid climate.
Wind
Winds in Gorgas vary by location. Along the Black Sea, wind speed averages 5–15 mph, with gusts reaching nearly 55 mph. Prevailing winds are from the southeast during the winter, then switch to west/southwest for the summer. Hurricane-strength winds of over 300 mph are not unknown, and usually strike during the month of February. At the far eastern end of the Kolkheti Lowland, winds are similar in strength, but come either from the due west or due east, with the former prevalent in summer and the latter in winter. Speeds in excess of 250 mph have been known to occur during September. In the eastern mountains, average speeds are 9–15 mph, with gusts reaching over 90 mph—high, but nowhere near the 250–300 mph winds of the western areas. Winds from the northwest are the most common in the mountains year-round, though slightly less so in winter than in summer.
Summary
The Caucasus region, containing the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, forms the traditional division between Europe and Asia. All countries contain different weather and terrain, and soldiers must prepare for seasonal extremes—winter and summer. Areas with flat plains and valleys, such as coastal plains, will favor mechanized troop movement. The mountainous regions, especially in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, will compound vehicle and equipment breakdowns. Numerous roads, already in poor condition in most of the countries, will become inaccessible for vehicular traffic because of winter snow. Military planners will need to anticipate the closure of mountain passes for up to six months a year due to snow.