Meskheti Range
Meskheti Range (Georgian: მესხეთის ქედი) (Meskh/Meskhet/Meskhetian Range, Adzhar-Imereti Range, Achara-Imereti Range Adzhar-Akhaltsikh Range also Moschian Mountains) is a part of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range in Meskheti region, in southwestern Georgia.
Meskheti Range | |
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View of Meskheti Range near Abastumani, Georgia | |
Highest point | |
Peak | Mount Mepistskharo |
Elevation | 2,850 m (9,350 ft) |
Dimensions | |
Length | 150 km (93 mi) |
Geography | |
Country | Georgia |
Range coordinates | 41°50′26″N 42°39′47″E |
Parent range | Caucasus Mountains |
The length of the range is 150 km and the highest point is Mount Mepistskharo at an elevation of 2,850 m above sea level. The Meskheti Range is characterized by high amounts of precipitation. The territory around Mt. Mtirala (the Ajarian section of the range) was the wettest region within the Soviet Union and is the most humid area of the Caucasus with an annual precipitation of approximately 4500mm/year. The slopes of the Meskheti Range are mainly covered by deciduous forests (oak, chestnut, maple, hornbeam, beech) below 1,200 m above sea level and by coniferous forests (spruce, fir and in some cases pine) from 1,200 to 1,800 m. The highest regions of the range are covered by sub-alpine and alpine meadows.
Strabo mentions the Moschian Mountains as joining the Caucasus. (Geography, 11.2.1)