Caucasus Mountains

The Caucasus Mountains is a mountain range at the meeting point of Asia and Europe. It stretches between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The mountains are home to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, standing at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft) above sea level.

The Caucasus Mountains include the Greater Caucasus in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the south. The Greater Caucasus runs from west to east, starting near the Black Sea and going close to Baku on the Caspian Sea. The Lesser Caucasus runs parallel to the Greater Caucasus, about 100 km (62 mi) to the south. These ranges are linked by smaller mountain chains, creating a wide and beautiful landscape.

Geology

The Caucasus Mountains are part of a large system called the Alpide belt, which stretches from southeastern Europe into Asia. The Greater Caucasus Mountains are made of rocks from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods, with older rocks higher up. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains are made of rocks from the Paleogene period.

These mountains formed when the Arabian plate moved north and crashed into the Eurasian plate. This movement folded the rocks and made the mountains. The area still has strong earthquakes because of this.

Notable peaks

Mount Elbrus is a very tall mountain in the Caucasus Mountains. It is 5,642 metres (18,510 feet) high, making it one of the highest peaks in Europe. It is even taller than Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. Some people debate whether Mount Elbrus is in Europe or Asia.

The Caucasus Mountains have many tall peaks. Below is a list of some of the highest ones, mostly taken from old maps made by Soviet scientists.

Climate

The climate in the Caucasus Mountains changes with height and place. The higher you go, the colder it gets. It is warmer in Sokhumi and Abkhazia near sea level than on the slopes of Mt. Kazbek, which is higher up.

Rain and snow also change depending on where you are. Some places get a lot of rain, especially in the west, while others, like Dagestan, are quite dry. The mountains can get a lot of snow, especially in the southwest, where heavy snow and avalanches are common from November to April. Some areas can have snow as deep as 7 metres!

Landscape

The Caucasus Mountains have many different landscapes. You can find many kinds of plants and habitats. In lower areas, there are warm, wet forests. Higher up, there are icy glaciers. In the south, there are dry grasslands and beautiful flower-filled meadows.

The north side of the big Caucasus Mountains has forests of oak, maple, and ash trees in lower areas. Higher up, you can find birch and pine trees. Some lower areas have wide-open grasslands. When you go higher, around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, the forests change into alpine meadows. The south side has forests of beech, oak, and other trees. Different plants grow at higher elevations. The smaller Caucasus Mountains to the south have forests on the north and west sides and grasslands on the south side. Volcanic rocks and formations are found all through the area. This includes volcanoes, lava flows, and volcanic lakes. Some famous peaks here are Mount Aragats, Didi Abuli, and Samsari. Unlike the big Caucasus Mountains, the smaller ones do not have many glaciers.

History

Further information: History of the Caucasus and Russian conquest of the Caucasus

The Caucasus Mountains have been a key path for travelers and traders. One major route, the northern part of the Silk Route, passed through these mountains. For thousands of years, shepherds in Georgia have moved their animals to find food and shelter, a practice called transhumance. There are several ways to cross the mountains, such as the pass at Derbent, also known as the Caspian Gates or Gates of Alexander. Other paths include the Jvari Pass, the Darial Gorge on the Georgian Military Road, the Mamison Pass on the Ossetian Military Road, and the Roki Tunnel.

Image gallery

Here are some beautiful views from the Caucasus Mountains:

• Mount Elbrus viewed from the south in Kabardino-Balkaria
• Komito Mountain in Chechnya
• Caucasus Mountains in Svaneti, Georgia
• Chaukhi mountain in Khevi, Georgia
• A gorge in Dagestan, Russia
• Twin-peaked Ushba in Georgia
• Mount Shkhara in Georgia
• Mount Ararat in Turkey, as viewed from Yerevan, Armenia
• Asbestnaya Mount and Acheshbok Mount, Russia
• Bolshoy Tkhach Park, Russia