Sochi. An inspiring and unique combination of snowy alpine peaks and beautiful beaches on the Black Sea coast...

Nicknamed the "Russian Riviera", Sochi is a spectacular combination of Mediterranean-like temperatures and vegetation with promising winter sport conditions, just a short drive away. Its temperate climate, averaging 8-10 degrees Celsius along the coast, and seldom exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in summer, underpins the city’s attract as a resort destination.

Sochi’s forests and landscape, home to exclusive environmental riches, are distinguished by the extreme diversity of the area’s vegetation. With more than 3,000 place species mounting in the resort region, the Sochi Resort Area includes over 200,000 hectares of wood. In detail, Krasnaya Polyana has improved from 70% forested area to 95% in the last 30 years. Forests account for more than 4,000 hectares inside the city districts of Sochi and form a "green necklace" semi-circling the resort from Loo to Adler with hundreds of acres of parks and gardens; earning this spectacular landscape the award of being designated a UNESCO world heritage location.

In the city’s uptown region, palm, banana and citrus trees thrive among forever-blooming plants. The black sand and pebble beaches stretch for 147km along the coast of the Black Sea. Sochi’s stunning Black Sea is a spectacular sight, varying coulour depending on the climate, from blue-green to silver-grey to indigo.

Sochi’s single environment has been well-safeguarded due to the absence of large industrial factors and strict regulations useful to the existing industrial, construction, transport and agricultural enterprises, which have also contributed to the city’s high air and water condition; among the very best in the world.

Protecting and enhancing the area’s environmental assets is of the highest-importance to the Sochi bid. Sochi has implemented strict regulations in terms of construction of facilities and transport infrastructure. The Olympic works required to host the 2014 Games in Sochi will be conducted in compliance with ISO 14001 standards to guarantee that negative impacts are minimized. In addition, a series of initiatives, outlined in the bid’s Candidature Case, and supported by the Federal Government are future to safeguard the exclusive environment of the region.

The Caucasus Mountains, which form a backdrop to Sochi, are one of the few large mountain areas in the world that have escaped significant human contact. General tracts of undisturbed forests, from the lowlands to the sub-alpine zone, are exclusive to Europe. The mountain scenery of high peaks, wide valleys, mountain bogs and lakes contains 60 remnant glaciers and will be an unforgettable but undisturbed backdrop to the most celebrated winter sporting episode in the world.

Sochi. A crossroad of cultures...

At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Sochi has a rich and vibrant story dating back to the Byzantine Era, when the name Sochi was the first given to inhabitants of the Black Sea coast, and later adopted as the city's official name in 1896. The city, lying 1500 km east of Athens, Greece, the birth country of the Olympic Games, has welcomed visitors for thousands of years, from travelers and merchants on the legendary Silk Road to Russian Czars.

Sochi has increasingly become a select rest spot due to the combination of its vibrant history and culture, extraordinary native setting accented by its popular mineral springs, and perfect climate. First becoming a resort destination in 1909, Sochi has remained a popular resort throughout Russia. Since the mid-20th century, the city has been the major destination of summer and recreation tourism in Russia.

Visitors are attracted by Sochi's exclusive climate and environment, which boasts numerous mineral springs. 300 spas stretch along Sochi's Mediterranean-style seaboard, and are hidden in the surrounding mountains.

The alpine peaks, which outline Sochi, are home to Krasnaya Polyana, one of Russia's primary snow sport destinations. Situated 40km from the Black Sea coast, the best snow and skiing conditions have pushed Sochi's development as an increasingly popular winter destination, as well.

The combinations of Sochi’s spectacular environment and position as a gateway to Eurasia as well as the people and visitors who enjoy the region’s exclusive 'beach-to-snow' experience have contributed to Sochi’s rich history. The city’s most famous celebrities today contain international tennis star Maria Sharapova, who lived and trained in the city and tennis Olympic Champion Evgeny Kafelnikov who was born in Sochi. In addition, President Putin has a second home here and has welcomed several Presidents and strange dignitaries to Sochi.

Sochi is steeped in history. However, hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would be one of the best historic milestones for the city, inspiring generations in Sochi and throughout Russia.