The Terek (in the lower reaches of Alikazgan, Georgian (Tergi); Igush Tiirk, Ossetian Terk; Kabard.-Cherk. Terch; Karach.-Balkars. Terk Suu; Chechen Terk; Kumyk. Terek-Suv) - a river in the North Caucasus. The Terek flows through the territory of two states - Georgia and Russia, and, in the latter, through the territory of 6 constituent entities – North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Stavropol Territory, Chechnya, and Dagestan. It is of important hydroeconomic value. The Terek Delta is an independent vast massif with an area of about 4000 km², of which more than 500 km² are occupied by irrigation areas. It originates on the slope of the Main Caucasian ridge in the Trusov gorge, from the glacier of Mount Zilga-Khokh at an altitude of 2713 m above sea level. The length of the river is 623 km, the area of the drainage basin is 43 200 km ². The Terek River was born together with the Main Caucasus. It has an ancient channel, passing through which water acquires a powerful high-speed charge. That is why the power and love of freedom of the reservoir were noticed by our compatriot poets back in the century before last. The root "tr" still means "fast" in Georgian, Ossetian, Kabardian, Chechen-Ingush, and in a number of Dagestani languages.

The Terek is a symbol of the territory. "Terek is the river of friendship" in Soviet times.

Terek is an artistic image used many times in literature, fine arts, music, dance. Terek was mentioned in the works of A. Pushkin, M. Lermontov, I. Brodsky, A. Dumas, L. Tolstoy, Ilf and Petrov, etc.

The Terek is the main waterway of Vladikavkaz. The phenomenon of a mountain rapid river in a modern city. It is usually full-flowing from late spring to early summer, during the period of active melting of glaciers and heavy rains. At this time, it is really dangerous and unpredictable. On the territory of the city, its run is limited by bank protection in the form of concrete parapets, it runs in a deep and reliable channel. Along the Terek in the central part of Vladikavkaz, promenade embankments have been organized. Here are the Sunni Mosque, the Planetarium (the former Shiite Mosque), the Musical Theater (Branch of the Mariinsky Theater), the Park of culture and recreation - the oldest in the North Caucasus, the monument to General Pliev, recreational areas with sculptures located in them representing the works created during several Symposia "Alanica".

Interesting facts

In Soviet times, one of the entertainments of local boys was rafting downstream on tire inner tubes from heavy vehicles.

How to make Terek navigable? - an idea that was born in the 60-es in the sick imagination of a city inhabitant, most likely, under the influence of ambitious, in most cases, utopian Soviet projects to turn back Siberian rivers. Despite the sheer delusion, obvious to everyone, but not to the author, the idea was formed into a solid typewritten work with graphs, diagrams, and, ultimately, ended up in the family archives of the dreamer's relatives. In this fantasy, the aspirations of a resident of the outskirts about involvement in grandiose changes and his desire to escape from the quiet seclusion of a provincial city, connecting it logistically with the “big lights”, the capital cities of the world, converged. There is a famous saying in the city when you jokingly answer the question "where to?" "To America by the Terek!" (V Ameriku po Tereku)

Photo and video materials by Eugeny Ivanov
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