Sochi

Situated between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains in the southern part of Russia, Sochi is a holiday resort town and a sea port, particulalry popular with Russian and eastern European tourists . Sochi has a temperate climate and boasts many sanatoria or health resorts. Home to the Russian Film Festival, an annual event and the summer vacation place of Russian leaders (Lenin and Putin to name two), Sochi has mineral baths. The population of the city is about 315,400 (2004).

Sochi was established as a resort area in the years of the Soviet regime. Among its attractions, Sochi has the majestic Caucasus Mountains, subtropical vegetation, numerous parks, churches, monuments, and beautiful architecture.

The local markets are made primarily of kiosks grouped together in areas with pavillions and more permanent larger structures.

de:Sotschi