GEORGIA - Viticulture in Georgia

Thanks to Katy for the card.

GEORGIA - Chailuri Fortress

Chailuri or Niakhura fortress (Late Middle Ages). Thanks to Katy for this great fortress postcard.

"A big fortress in the south of the village Chailuri, on the crossroad of Kakheti main road, on the left embankment of the river Chailuri. The people call the fortress the Niakhura fortress. Once it has been a military security fortress and was build in the Middle Ages, presumably in XVI century. It was closing the entrance to Iori gorge and together with Manavi fortress it created the barrier for the enemies leading to Tbilisi. The fortress is also important as it is the area where the last war in the history of Independent Georgia took place in 1811."

RUSSIA - Beauty of Dombay, Karachay - Cherkess Republic

Thanks to postcrosser Alex for the beautiful Dombay card.

"Dombay is situated within the Teberda Nature Reserve (zapovednik) and is a popular tourist destination. The area attracts people for its skiing and hiking trails and natural beauty of the Caucasus Mountains. The settlement is located at the elevation of 1,630 meters (5,350 ft) above sea level, with its skiing area occupying the slopes of Mount Mussa Achitara, between 1,800 meters (5,900 ft) and 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above sea level. Dombay-Ulgen, the highest peak of the Dombay area, is 4,046 meters (13,274 ft). Dombay is surrounded with snow-capped mountains and glaciers all year round."

ARMENIA - S Zorats Cathedral

Many thanks to Katy of Georgia for sending me such a wonderful postcard and stamp from her trip in Armenia.

"S. Zorats cathedral or S. Stepanos, is considered a fine relic of medieval Armenia. was built in 1303 on a green hill east of the Yegheuis village.This church has no hall. It consists only of a central altar with a sacristy on each side. The faithful thus attended divine services in the open air.  The church has been extensively restored. Its name comes allegedly from the custom of consecrating arms and horses there before battle."

AZERBAIJAN - Hotel JW Marriott Absheron, Baku

Thanks to Maryam for the swap.

DAGESTAN - Traditional costume

"The Republic of Dagestan (/dɑːɡɨˈstɑːn/ or /ˈdæɡɨstæn/; Russian: Респу́блика Дагеста́н, Respublika Dagestan; also spelled Daghestan) is a federal subject (a republic) of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea.

With a population of 2,910,249, Dagestan is ethnically very diverse (it is Russia's most heterogeneous republic, where no ethnicity forms a majority) with several dozen ethnicities and subgroups inhabiting the republic, most of which speak Caucasian and Turkic languages. Largest among these ethnicities are the Avar, Dargin, Kumyk, Lezgian, Laks, Azerbaijani, Tabasaran and Chechen. Ethnic Russians comprise about 3.6% of Dagestan's total population."

GEORGIA - Gergeti Church of the Trinity (14th c.)

The second swap is from Katy of Georgia.  A border region of Georgia - Kazbegi. It's only 46km from Vladikarkaz(Russia).  Here is Gergeti Trinity Church located under Month Mazbegi on the 2170m. a.l.s.  The church was built in 14th century on the place of hte cross.  Here was rested Before St. Nino Cross - the holy relics of Georgian Christians.  Kazbegi is very popular place for tourism due to its wonderful nature, historical sights and variety of entertainment.  Here is also popular for paragliding! 

Thanks Katy for the great information on the card!

AZERBAIJAN - Traditional Crafts of Azerbaijan

Thank you to Maryam for my first card from Azerbaijan, country #131.

"Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası), is a contiguous transcontinental presidential republic in the Caucasus region, situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west and Iran to the south. The exclave of Nakhchivan is bounded by Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and west, while having a short border with Turkey in the northwest."

GEORGIA - Svaneti

This card shows the upper Svanet, famour with its towers.  To the left you can see Skhera Summit and to the right Tetrnuldi Summit.  Thank you Khatuna for helping me with my collection.

"Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources) (Georgian: სვანეთი Svaneti) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of the Georgians."

ARMENIA - Tavush Marz, Haghartsin Monestery Complex

"Tavush (Armenian: Տավուշ) is a province (marz) of Armenia. The marz of Tavush is located in the north of Armenia and borders on Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is well known for its mountains. The most part of its territory is situated 800-1,000 m above sea level. Tavush is also famous for the abundance of rivers and other water resources. 

Haghartsin Monastery is located in a dense oak forest, on a mountainside in the upper reaches of the Agstev river. Three main buildings of the Haghardzin church complex ares till standing . St. Astvatsatsin Church (1281)is the biggest of the three."

REPUBLIC OF ADYGEA - Sleeping Dragon, National Park Bolshoy Thach

- Sleeping Dragon-, National Park Bolshoy Thach, Republic of Adygea, Russia.

A BIT INFORMATION ABOUT CAUCASUS REGION:-

The Caucasus /ˈkɔːkəsəs/ or Caucasia /kɔːˈkeɪʒə/ is a region at the border of Europe and Asia, situated between the Black and the Caspian seas. It is home to the Caucasus Mountains, which contain Europe's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus. Politically, the Caucasus region is separated between northern and southern parts. The southern parts consist of independent sovereign states. The northern parts are currently under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

North Caucasus	South Caucasus
Russian Federation (part)  Rostov Oblast  Volgograd Oblast  Kalmykia  Astrakhan Oblast  Chechnya  Dagestan  Ingushetia  Adyghea  Kabardino-Balkaria  Karachay–Cherkessia  North Ossetia–Alania  Krasnodar Krai  Stavropol Krai	Armenia  Azerbaijan  Nakhichivan  Nagorno-Karabakh*  Georgia  Adjara  Abkhazia* / Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia  South Ossetia* / Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia  Iran (part)  Turkey (part)