It measures long, and incorporates a drainage basin which is . The basin includes the major part of
Ingushetia, areas in the west of
Chechnya, as well as minor areas in the north of Georgia. Within the river basin, more than 70% of the territory is subjected to
avalanches. The river's source is on the northern slopes of the
Greater Caucasus in
Khevsureti from where it flows north and crosses into Russia. The Assa accepts the
Guloykhi from the right and flows through the
Erzi Nature Reserve. North of the
stanitsa of
Nesterovskaya, the Assa turns east, crosses into Chechnya, flows through the stanitsa of
Assinovskaya, and accepts the Fortanga from the right. The mouth of the Assa is at the locality of
Zakan-Yurt. The principal tributary of the Assa is the
Fortanga (right). The Assa and
Terek also flow through the
Republic of Ingushetia in a south to north direction. The Assa, Terek and Gulaykhi river valleys are known for their large complex of stone battle towers and dwellings, burial crypts, pagan sanctuaries, and Christian churches". The
Ingushes culture of the
North Caucasus, one of the ancient cultures, is well preserved here by the
Dzheyrakh-Assa Historical and Architectural State Museum. The village of
Alkhaste is situated on the river's left bank, while the rural locality of
Samashki is located on the river's outskirts. The village of
Alkun is split in two by the river Assa into Lower and Upper Alkun. The climate in the river valley is characterized as having a frequent drying effect which supports special microzones. ==History==