Caucasus Mountains: Dividing Line Between Georgia And Azerbaijan

The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range in the north and the Lesser Caucasus range in the south, have conventionally been considered a natural barrier between Europe and Asia. The Greater Caucasus mountain range is mostly shared by Russia and Georgia, as well as the northernmost parts of Azerbaijan. The Lesser Caucasus mountain range is occupied by several independent states, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and extends to parts of northeastern Turkey and northern Iran. The Caucasus Mountains are home to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) above sea level. The Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges are connected by the Likhi Range, and the mountains consist mainly of various kinds of granite and gneiss. The Caucasus region is known for its rich mythology, linguistic diversity, and incredible natural diversity, with many unique plants and animals, glaciers, and thermal springs.

The Caucasus Mountains are a natural barrier between Europe and Asia

The Caucasus Mountains formed as a result of a tectonic plate collision between the Arabian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The rocks that had been deposited in the basin from the Jurassic to the Miocene were folded to form the Greater Caucasus Mountains. This collision also caused the uplift and volcanic activity in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.

The Caucasus region is incredibly diverse, with many unique plants and animals, glaciers, and thermal springs. The Greater Caucasus, which includes Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, is the main part of the Caucasus in terms of size, length, and height. The Lesser Caucasus, located to the south, covers portions of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and merges with the Armenian Highland.

The Caucasus Mountains have a varied landscape that changes with elevation and distance from large bodies of water. The region contains biomes ranging from subtropical lowland marshes and forests to glaciers and highland semi-deserts, steppes, and alpine meadows. The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by oak, hornbeam, maple, and ash forests at lower elevations, while birch and pine forests can be found at higher elevations. The alpine zone replaces the forest at around 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) above sea level.

The Caucasus region is also known for its linguistic diversity. Aside from Indo-European and Turkic languages, the Kartvelian, Northwest Caucasian, and Northeast Caucasian language families are indigenous to the area. The Caucasus has been an important cultural, military, religious, and expansionist arena for centuries, with influences from the Middle Eastern Fertile Crescent civilizations and successive waves of migrating peoples.

The Greater Caucasus range is shared by Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain range situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The Caucasus region is occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. The Caucasus Mountains are divided into two ranges: the Greater Caucasus in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the south.

The Greater Caucasus range is shared by Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. It is the main part of the Caucasus, both in size and height, stretching approximately 1,200 km (746 mi) from the Taman Peninsula in the Black Sea to the Absheron Peninsula in the Caspian Sea. The maximum height of the Greater Caucasus is Mount Elbrus (West Summit) at 5,642 m (18,510 ft), located in southwestern Russia. Mount Elbrus is considered the highest peak in Europe and is one of the World's Seven Summits. The Greater Caucasus is further divided into three parts from west to east: the Western Caucasus, the Central Caucasus, and the Eastern Caucasus.

The Western Caucasus stretches from the Black Sea to Mount Elbrus and is a UNESCO site known for its diverse flora and fauna. The Central Caucasus includes Mount Mkinvartsveri (Kazbegi), the third-highest peak in Georgia, and other high mountains such as Dykh-Tau, Shkhara, Koshtantau, and Glavnaya Jangi. The Eastern Caucasus spans from Mount Kazbegi to the Caspian Sea, with its highest peak, Tebulosmta, located between Russia and Azerbaijan.

The Greater Caucasus has a complex internal classification, with the Main Caucasus Range forming the main group of the highest mountains between Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The range also includes a Lateral Range that runs parallel to it from the northeast. The northern and southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range consist of several mountain groups with varying altitudes.

The Greater Caucasus is not only a geographical feature but also a cultural and historical region. It coincides with the North Caucasus, a large historical region of modern Russia. The mountains south of the Greater Caucasus, including the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range, are known as the South Caucasus, which includes the Lesser Caucasus range.

The Greater Caucasus is known for its incredible natural diversity, boasting unique plants, animals, glaciers, and thermal springs. It is a popular destination for hiking and skiing, with many ski resorts located in Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The region has a rich folklore tradition, preserving stories of ancient heroes and reflecting ancient Iranian Zoroastrian influence.

The Greater Caucasus range serves as a natural border between Russia and Georgia and is an important passage for cultural and economic relations between the two countries.

The Lesser Caucasus range is occupied by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

The Caucasus Mountains, which straddle Eastern Europe and Western Asia, are divided into two ranges: the Greater Caucasus in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the south. The Lesser Caucasus range is occupied by several independent states, mainly Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, but also extends into parts of northeastern Turkey and northern Iran.

The Lesser Caucasus is a range of folded mountains in the southern Caucasus region, connected to the main Caucasus Mountains by the Likhsky Mountains. The range covers portions of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. To the south, the mountains merge almost imperceptibly with the Armenian Highland, which covers much of southern Armenia and adjacent areas of Turkey and Iran. The western ranges are intensely folded and affected by volcanic action, while the central and eastern portions are slightly less folded. Few peaks in the range exceed 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation.

West of the Kura-Aras Lowland rises the Lesser Caucasus range, which includes the Javakheti Plateau and the Armenian highlands, part of which is in Turkey. The range is extended southward by the Dzhavakhet Range and the Armenian Highland. East of Lake Sevan in the eastern Lesser Caucasus, the highest peaks rise above 12,000 feet (3,600 metres), while Mount Aragats (Alagöz), the highest peak in the range, rises west of the lake to 13,418 feet (4,090 metres). From their western sources in the Armenian Highland, the Kura and Aras rivers both flow around the Lesser Caucasus – the Kura to the north of the range and the Aras to the south – to their confluence in the east.

The Caucasus Mountains have traditionally been considered a natural barrier between Europe and Asia, bisecting the Eurasian landmass. The Greater Caucasus range, in particular, has been part of the line dividing Europe and Asia, with the portion of the region north of the mountains considered part of Europe, and the portion to the south deemed part of Asia.

The Caucasus region is linguistically, culturally and geographically diverse

The Caucasus region is a linguistically, culturally, and geographically diverse area spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and is mainly comprised of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have been considered a natural barrier between Europe and Asia.

The region is known for its linguistic diversity, with various language families indigenous to the area, including Kartvelian, Northwest Caucasian, and Northeast Caucasian. In addition, Indo-European languages such as Armenian and Ossetian, and Turkic languages such as Azerbaijani, are also spoken in the region. The Caucasus region has a long history of cultural exchange and conflict, sitting at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. It has been an arena for political, military, religious, and cultural rivalries and expansionism for centuries.

The Caucasus region is incredibly diverse ethnically and linguistically. The three main nations of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan each have their own distinct cultures and alphabets, and the languages belong to different groups. The region has a shared cultural history, with similarities in the way food is served and guests are treated. It also has a rich folklore tradition, with stories of ancient heroes and connections to Greek mythology.

The Caucasus region is also geographically diverse, with an enormous variety of climates and landscapes, from deserts to subtropical areas on the Black Sea coast of Georgia to temperate wine country. The Caucasus Mountains themselves consist of two ranges: the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus. Mount Elbrus in the Greater Caucasus range is the highest peak in the region and is considered the highest point in Europe. The Caucasus region is an important ecological area, with many unique plants and animals, glaciers, and thermal springs. It is included in the list of 34 world biodiversity hotspots and has a high level of endemism.

The Caucasus region is rich in myths and is the cradle of an old civilisation

The Caucasus region is a treasure trove of ancient history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking natural landscapes. It serves as a bridge between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, encompassing countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, particularly the Greater Caucasus range, have often been viewed as a natural boundary separating Europe and Asia.

The region boasts a rich tapestry of myths and folklore that reflect the unique identities of its inhabitants. The Caucasian mythology is an intriguing blend of ancient polytheistic and monotheistic religions, with influences from Greek, Persian, and Zoroastrian beliefs. One of the most prominent figures in Caucasian mythology is Prometheus, who, according to Greek mythology, was chained to the Caucasus Mountains by Zeus as punishment for giving fire to humanity. This myth also exists in the Georgian version, where Prometheus is known as Amirani. Other mythical heroes in Caucasian folklore include Pkharmat, a Vainakh hero who stole fire from the gods with the help of his companion, Turpal, a mythical horse.

The Nart Sagas are an integral part of Caucasian mythology, featuring heroic tales of ancient heroes known as the Narts. These sagas are considered a moral and ethical codex by the Circassians, imparting values such as honesty, wisdom, and bravery. The Caucasus region also holds significance in the ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, where they journey to Colchis (modern-day Georgia) in pursuit of the Golden Fleece.

The Caucasus region is home to diverse languages and ethnic groups, with more than 50 ethnic groups and several unique language families. The region's linguistic diversity extends beyond Indo-European and Turkic languages to include indigenous language families such as Kartvelian, Northwest Caucasian, and Northeast Caucasian.

The Caucasus has a long and complex history, dating back to the Paleolithic Era when it was inhabited by Homo erectus. Over time, it has been influenced by various empires, including the Iranian world, the Russian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. The region has also witnessed numerous territorial disputes and conflicts, reflecting its strategic location and diverse cultural influences.

In conclusion, the Caucasus region is indeed a cradle of ancient civilisations, with a wealth of myths and folklore that showcase the unique cultural and historical identity of its people. The region's diverse languages, ethnic groups, and natural wonders further enrich its significance, making it a fascinating area of study and exploration.

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