Historical and cultural preconditions for the development of the Caucasian Mineral Waters

The article examines the stages of formation and historical development of eco-resort region Caucasian Mineral Waters. The authors consider the conditions of its emergence, the initial period of development of resources and territory. The work consistently characterizes the formation of tourism and recreational infrastructure, and improving the functions of state administrative managing the resort. The authors show the features of the financial-economic potential and its im- pact on the development of resort cities that are centers for tourism. The legislation development is characterized; the evolution of the interactions between the federal level of power and the regional authorities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters is examined. The authors disclose the potential features of Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk, Essentuki, the federal resorts, which are part of the researched area. As the research result, the current state of the ecotourism region, the prospects for its development and priority areas for growth have been identified.