INFLUENCE OF NATURAL-GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS ON THE FORMATION OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ASTRAKHAN REGION)

Explanation. The tourism industry, its functioning and development depend on many factors. One of them is natural-geographical. What natural resources a region has will determine its touristical policy. It can also be noted that the tourism industry is usually considered in terms of infrastructure, culture and politics. The natural and geographical factor is considered secondary or it considered schematically. The purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the natural and geographical factors, to analyze how in practice they affect to the tourism industry of the Astrakhan region. Methods. The research was conducted on the basis of several methods. These are analytical, comparative, method of induction, structural and functional, the method of analysis of sources. It allowed to consider the factors from different points of view.Documents from the State Archives of the Astrakhan Region were examined. Sectoral target programs dedicated to the development of tourism in the Astrakhan region were studied. Results. Natural and geographical factors affecting the tourism industry in general and the Astrakhan region in particular were identified. Theses put forward in the beginning of the article (influence of nature and geography on tourism) were confirmed, both in theory and in practice. Scope of application of the results. Materials of work can be used in various areas of knowledge. It is history, tourism, ecology. The results of the work can be used in the research of geographical science. Both the history of the region and local history can be added to this list.