Terek (river)
The Terek (/ˈtɛrɪk/) is a major river in the Northern Caucasus. It originates in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of Georgia and flows through North Caucasus region of Russia into the Caspian Sea. It rises near the juncture of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Khokh Range, to the southwest of Mount Kazbek, winding north in a white torrent between the town of Stepantsminda and the village of Gergeti toward the Russian region North Ossetia and the city of Vladikavkaz. It turns east to flow through Chechnya and Dagestan before dividing into two branches which empty into the Caspian Sea. Below the city of Kizlyar it forms a swampy river delta around 100 kilometres (62 mi) wide. The river is a key natural asset in the region, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power in its upper reaches.
| Terek | |
|---|---|
Map of Terek river | |
| Location | |
| Countries | Georgia and Russia |
| Region | Mtskheta-Mtianeti |
| Federal subjects | North Ossetia Kabardino-Balkaria Stavropol Krai Chechnya Dagestan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Mount Zilga-Khokh |
| • location | Main Caucasian Range Greater Caucasus, Georgia |
| • coordinates | 42.6159°N 44.2395°E |
| • elevation | 2,700 m (8,900 ft) |
| Mouth | Caspian Sea |
• coordinates | 43.595278°N 47.561667°E |
• elevation | −28 m (−92 ft) |
| Length | 623 km (387 mi) |
| Basin size | 43,200 km2 (16,700 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 305 m3 (10,800 cu ft) per second |
The main cities on the Terek include Vladikavkaz, Mozdok, and Kizlyar. Several minor hydroelectric power stations dam the Terek: Dzau electrostation (in Vladikavkaz), Bekanskaya, and Pavlodolskaya.
The construction of the Dariali Hydropower Plant with a planned installed capacity of 108 MW started in 2011 on the territory of Kazbegi municipality near the Russia–Georgia border.
Leo Tolstoy's novel The Cossacks is set on the Terek and amongst its Cossacks.