Caucasus

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.

The Caucasus Mountains are commonly recognized as a natural border between Europe and Asia. Countries in the Caucasus are considered to be in both continents, with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia being considered transcontinental countries. 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.

Sovereign states

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia

Disputed territories

Abkhazia - claimed but not controlled by Georgia
South Ossetia South Ossetia - claimed but not controlled by Georgia

Autonomous republics of the Russian Federation

Adygea
Chechnya
Dagestan
Ingushetia
Kabardino-Balkaria
Karachay-Cherkessia
North Ossetia-Alania

An other autonomies and formerly disputed territories

Adjara
Nakhchivan

Formerly

Artsakh

Myths and legends

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.