Caucasus

region in Eurasia bordered on the south by Iran, on the southwest by Turkey, on the west by the Black Sea, on the east by the Caspian Sea, and on the north by Russia

The Caucasus, or Caucasia, is a region spanning Europe and Asia bordered to the north by Russia, to the east by the Caspian Sea, on the south by Iran, on the southwest by Turkey and to the west by the Black Sea. Caucasia includes the Caucasus Mountains and the surrounding lowlands.

Map of Caucasus Countries

The Caucasus Mountains are commonly recognized as a natural border between Europe and Asia. Countries in the Caucasus are considered to be in one or both continents, with Armenia and Azerbaijan being considered transcontinental, and Georgia largely considered European. The northern portion of the Caucasus is known as the Ciscaucasus and the southern portion as the Transcaucasus. The highest peak in the Caucasus is Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), which, in the western Ciscaucasus in Russia, is generally considered the highest point in Europe.

List of countries

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Sovereign states

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Disputed territories

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Autonomous republics of the Russian Federation

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Myths and legends

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The Biblical Mount Ararat, where Noah's Ark landed, is known as the landmark of the ancient Armenian realm.

The peak of Ararat is seasonally capped with snow. In Greek mythology, the Caucasus, or Kaukasos, was one of the pillars supporting the world. Prometheus was chained there by Zeus.

The Roman poet Ovid placed Caucasus in Scythia and said that it was a cold and stony mountain and was the abode of personified hunger.

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References

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  • Caucasus: A Journey to the Land Between Christianity and Islam By Nicholas Griffin
  • Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus By Svante E. Cornell
  • The Caucasus By Ivan Golovin

Other websites

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