This book is the first to give a comprehensive and detailed overview of the complete physical geography of Georgia in English. It discusses natural and environmental conditions, hydrology, geomorphology, landscapes, and resources and elaborates issues of environmental protection, natural hazards, resource potentials, tourism and many other topics of this multifaceted country. This volume will appeal to researchers, educators and students in the fields of natural and environmental sciences, geography, geology, regional studies and related areas.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the geomorphology of Georgia. It describes a country characterized by geological, geomorphological and geographical diversities, located in the Caucasus region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This book is based on the results of several years of geomorphological studies and research in Georgia, published for the first time in English, and covers a gap in research in the field of world regional geomorphology. The landscapes of Georgia consist of high glacial mountains, medium and high mountains with deeply fragmented features, narrow and deep gorges and canyons, seaside lowlands, volcanic cones, uplands and mountain ranges, intermountain plains, hollows and highlands. The peculiarity of the landscape greatly affects the natural conditions. In several chapters, this book describes the diversity of climate, hydrographic network, vegetation cover, soils, fauna, exogenic processes, natural and anthropogenic landscapes. This volume provides the readers with the opportunity to explore the variety of landscapes and landforms in this diverse and fascinating country through informative texts illustrated with many color maps and photographs. Geomorphology of Georgia appeals to scientists, scholars, teachers and any readers interested in geology, physical geography, geomorphology, tourism and environmental protection. It is a rich resource for field trips and a comprehensive guide for travelers interested in the geomorphology of Georgia.
This book discusses the political and economic history and geography of Georgia, the problems it has faced, and how it has overcome and is still overcoming them. In most countries, at the end of the 20th century the successful resolution of social-economic, political, demographic and ecological problems was largely dependent on effectively protecting the population and economic assets from natural disasters and on ensuring conditions for their sustainable development. These problems are most acute in mountainous regions like Georgia, where the unplanned development of natural ecosystems has had drastic consequences. It is therefore necessary to understand not only the probability of changing conditions (natural as well as political and demographic), but also the probability of the resulting economic losses. The book is divided into four sections; historical and political geography, geological processes, ecological processes and developmental geography. In the historical and political geography section the authors present a detailed discussion on ancient history, historical and political geography, ethnic groups and religions, demographics and socio-cultural geography. The geological processes section contains information on geology, geodynamical processes, glacial and periglacial processes. The ecological processes section examines a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, aspects of deforestation, reforestation and desertification along with anthropogenic impacts on the environment. The developmental geography section looks at different economies, natural resources, sustainable development and climate change.
This book provides an extensive overview of the diversity of soils in Georgia. It highlights the soil-forming environment (climate, geology, geomorphology), the characterization of the physical, chemical and morphological (macro-, micro-) properties of soils, the history of soil research in Georgia, and the geographic distribution of different soil types. In addition to describing the soil cover, the book also zones and classifies the soils. Past and current land use issues, ecological properties and implications of soils, and many other aspects are elaborated on; special attention is paid to anthropogenic soil degradation due to the contamination and erosion of soils in Georgia. This comprehensive and richly illustrated book, which includes a wealth of pictures and soil maps, offers an essential field guide for soil scientists, geographers and researchers in related areas.
In the "State of Adventure," Georgians can swim in the ocean, take a hike in the woods, and go fishing on a lake. Explore Georgia's beautiful shorelines, forest, lakes, mountains, rivers, and fields with this high-interest reader that connects to Georgia state studies standards and teaches geography concepts. Regions and Rivers of Georgia promotes social studies content literacy with appropriately-leveled text and keeps students engaged with full-color illustrations and dynamic primary source documents. This text connects to Georgia Standards of Excellence, WIDA, and NCSS/C3 framework.
This multidisciplinary collection provides a unique insiders' perspective on the major issues in Georgian politics, society, and economics in the twenty-five years since its independence from the Soviet Union.
Ride along with geologists Pamela Gore and Bill Witherspoon on this extraordinary tour of the Peach State�s varied terrain. In 35 detailed and densely illustrated road guides, the Roadside Geology of Georgia examines Georgia�s fascinating geology and reveals the stories that lie beneath the surface. You�ll be amazed at Georgia�s geological diversity, from its shifting barrier islands along the coast to the sandstone ridges in its northwest corner. At the Cumberland Island National Seashore you�ll find the ruins of Dungeness, the once-magnificent Carnegie estate built of local mineral resources, and encounter wild horses grazing among windswept dunes. In Atlanta, the white whaleback of granite called Stone Mountain will impress you with its protruding �cat�s paw� minerals and stony layers that are sloughing off like the layers of an onion. In the Blue Ridge Mountains you can witness Amicalola Falls, one of the highest cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, and Tallulah Gorge, one the deepest gorges in the eastern United States. And in the iconic Okefenokee Swamp of south Georgia, you�ll wade through the gator-filled blackwater of one of the largest wetlands in North America. With its engaging prose and 250-plus color photos, maps, and figures, Roadside Geology of Georgia takes you beyond the rocks to unearth the billion-year history of the Empire State of the South.
The book describes richness and diversity of Georgia’s vegetation. Contrasting ecosystems coexist on the relatively small territory of the country and include semi-deserts in East Georgia, Colchic forests with almost sub-tropical climate in West Georgia and subnival plant communities in high mountains. West Georgia lacks xerophilous vegetation zone and mesophilous forest vegetation spreads from the sea level to subalpine zone. The Colchic refugium (West Georgia) ensured survival of the Tertiary’s mesophilous forest flora. Vertical profile of the vegetation is more complex in East Georgia with semi-desert, steppe and arid open forest zone. In South Georgia the montane zone represented by montane steppe is devoid of forests
