long the coast of the Black Sea runs a chain of old parallel mountain masses gradually from west to east from 600 meters/1,969 feet to 3,350 meters/10,991 feet, where the contours are more vigorous and volcanic phenomena appear. The average altitude of the land is 1,130 meters/3,707 feet. Along the coast, there are a few head-lands and wide gulfs; the winds from the north strike the coast head-on and there are no good natural harbors.

Rainfall is fairly evenly spread over the year, but decreases from east. Along the coast, the winters are mild and the summers moderately warm. The greater part of the forest lies at 900/1,200 meters (2,953/3,937 feet). Above this altitude there are conifers, and below it fruit trees-apple,pear, plum, apricot, cherry, hazel-nut, etc.