Caucasus Mountains
The mountain chain Caucasus has accommodated in itself so much history over the centuries, as it is the territory of different interests, people and raw inaccessible landscapes. Caucasus is a huge mountain, located on the border between Europe and Asia, between the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Azov Seas.
Caucasus is within the territories of several countries - Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. Main Caucasus is divided into two main parts - Small Caucasus in the south and Great Caucasus - in the north. Known by the name of Transcaucasia is the territory between the two separate parts of the mountain chain.
In particular the Caucasus is stretching from Tema bay of the Black Sea to the Aspheric Peninsula of the Caspian Sea. Great Caucasus is divided into 3 parts: Western Caucasus - from the Black Sea to Mount Elbrus, central Caucasus - from mount Elbrus to Kazbek and East Caucasus, which stretches from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea.
The highest point of the Caucasus is Mount Elbrus, with 5642 m. Elbrus is considered the highest peak not only in Russia but also throughout Europe. It is located on the border between Russia and Georgia. Some conventions here are caused by border disputes between the Old continent and Asia.
Among other famous peaks of the Caucasus, sacred for the Armenians are Mount Ararat, 5165 m high and located in modern Turkey, Mount Kazbek and others. Record in terms of unique natural sights is set by Caucasus for the deepest open cave in the world - Voronya.
The region of the Caucasus has long been known for many political and religious conflicts between Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Upper Karabakh, Nakhichevan and others. This area of inhospitable mountains, difficult passages and strong winds enters the borders of three former empires - Persian, Ottoman and Russian.
Therefore, the Caucasus has always had strategic importance. For Byzantium, Iran, Ottoman Empire, followed by the Russian Empire (USSR and then Russia), Golden Horde, Nazi Germany and others, they all sought throughout history to have control over the Caucasus .
The natural landscapes of the Caucasus are many and varied mostly depending on the vertical boundary and proximity to a watercourse. The Ural Mountains, located north of the Caucasus are considered as the boundary between Europe and Asia.
The mountain chain of the Caucasus was formed 20 million years ago, when Arab tectonic plates collided with the Eurasian plate. An interesting fact is that the Caucasus is technically considered a continuation of the Himalayas. The entire Caucasus region is prone to strong earthquakes.
