- Alazani
Infobox River | river_name = Alazani
caption = Alazani River
origin = theGreater Caucasus Range
mouth =Kura inMingəçevir , Azerbaijan
basin_countries = Georgia andAzerbaijan
length = 351 km
elevation =
discharge =
watershed =10,800 The Alazani (Georgian: "ალაზანი", Azeri "Qanıx") is a river that flows through theCaucasus .It is the main tributary of the
Kura in eastern Georgia, and flows for 351 km. Part of its path forms the border between Georgia andAzerbaijan , before it meets the Kura at theMingəçevir Reservoir.The Alazani originates in the
Greater Caucasus at the confluence of two small rivers south of the ridge, at the village ofShenako . It flows initially from the region ofAkhmeta to the south, then through the fruitfulAlazani Valley ofKakheti towards the southeast. The Alazani is the center of the Georgian wine industry. For centuries, it was a main gateway forPersia n invaders.The Alazani dries up during the winter, but in the late spring, snow melt from the mountains swells the river enormously; this regularly causes flooding. The river is mainly used for irragation and for drinking water. In the 1990s, Chinese investors built many small
hydroelectric power plant s, which use the Alazani's strong current. The river is also popular with tourists forrafting trips.A light pollution of the river with biological substances comes from untreated sewage from the cities and other communities, as well as from the agricultural areas. In the districts of
Kvareli andLagodekhi , water quality is said to be quite bad.Alazani serves also as the name of different Georgian wines, among them the semi-dry brands of "Marani Alazani Valley" and "Old Tbilisi Alazani".
References
*The information in this article is a based on and/or translated from that in its German equivalent.
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