Caucasus Mountains

A mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas, spanning parts of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia and comprising the Greater and Lesser Caucasus.

Greater Caucasus: The northern and higher of the Caucasus ranges, extending between the Black and Caspian seas. This principal range forms the mountain system’s highest and most continuous spine.
Arabian Plate: A tectonic plate moving northward toward Eurasia and driving deformation across the Middle East and Caucasus. Its collision with Eurasia contributes to regional mountain building.
Transcaucasian Railway: A railway network built to connect the South Caucasus with the Russian Empire’s transport system. Rail routes cross difficult terrain to connect settlements and trade centers.
Caucasus region: A region between the Black and Caspian seas that includes the Caucasus Mountains and surrounding lowlands. The mountains are the region’s defining physical feature, not its entire extent.
Lesser Caucasus: A mountain system south of the Greater Caucasus, extending across Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and northeastern Turkey. This southern range completes the system and shapes its interior highlands.
Eurasian Plate: A major tectonic plate encompassing most of Europe and Asia. Its convergence with the Arabian Plate shapes the Caucasus tectonic setting.
Georgian Military Road: A historic route crossing the Greater Caucasus through Georgia’s Darial Gorge and the Krestovy Pass. It is one of the best-known corridors across the range.
Caucasus biodiversity hotspot: A biodiversity hotspot spanning the Caucasus and adjacent regions, recognized for high endemism and habitat loss. The mountains’ varied elevations and habitats support many restricted-range species.
Mount Elbrus: A dormant volcano in Russia’s Greater Caucasus and the highest peak in Europe under a common geographic convention. Its summit marks the system’s greatest elevation.
Alpine orogeny: A prolonged mountain-building episode caused by convergence of African, Arabian, and Indian plates with Eurasia. The Caucasus belongs to this broad belt of tectonic mountain building.

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