Natural mineral waters of the Chechen Republic: current usage and prospects for development

Abstract The article analyzes the natural mineral waters of the Chechen Republic which are a leading factor in the formation of a sanatorium and health resort base. The conditions of formation and distribution of natural mineral waters on the territory of the Chechen Republic are studied, their classification by chemical composition, general mineralization and balneological properties is presented. Five water-bearing zones within the region are identified and characterized. A brief historical analysis of the research and development of mineral springs is given. A detailed description of mineral springs from the point of their use for balneological purposes is given. On the territory of the Chechen Republic, there are mineral springs with various chemical composition and balneological properties, which are comparable by some properties to the best world analogues, and this creates significant prerequisites for expanding the existing sanatorium and health resort base. At this stage, the main focus should be concentrated on meeting domestic needs, solving the problem of recreation and treatment of residents of the Chechen Republic, and in the future, it should be focused on the development of domestic and international tourism and recreation.