- This article is about the terrestrial Eurasian mountain range. For other meanings, see Caucasus (disambiguation) and Caucasia.
| Caucasus Mountains | |
| Range | |
 Svaneti region, North-Western Georgia
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| Countries | Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Mount Elbrus |
| - elevation | 5,642 m (18,510 ft) |
| - coordinates | |
| Length | 1,100 km (684 mi) |
| Width | 160 km (99 mi) |
 Satellite image
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The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system in Eurasia between the Black and the Caspian sea in the Caucasus region. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States A mountain range is a chain of Mountains bordered by highlands or separated from other mountains by passes or valleys For the superstate in George Orwell 's novel see Nations of Nineteen Eighty-Four. The Black Sea is an inland Sea bounded by southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and the Anatolian peninsula ( Turkey The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged Sea. This article is about the body of water For other uses see SEA and Seas. The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East
The Caucasus Mountains are made up of two separate mountain systems:
- the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and
- the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. Greater Caucasus (Большой Кавказ Azerbaijani: Böyük Qafqaz Dağları sometimes translated as "Caucasus Major" "Big Caucasus" or "Large Lesser Caucasus ( Azeri: Kiçik Qafqaz Dağları Georgian: მცირე კავკასიონი Малый Кавказ sometimes translated as "Caucasus
The Greater Caucasus Range extends from the Caucasian Natural Reserve in the vicinity of Sochi on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea, generally trending east-southeast and reaching nearly to Baku on the Caspian Sea, while the Lesser Caucasus runs parallel to the greater range, at a distance averaging about 100 km (60 mi) south. This article concerns the World Heritage Site For other meanings see Caucasus (disambiguation and Caucasia (disambiguation. Sochi (Сочи ˈsotɕɪ is a Russian Resort city, situated in Krasnodar Krai just north of the southern Russian border Baku (Bakı sometimes known as Baqy, Baky, Baki or Bakü, is the capital the largest city and the largest port of Azerbaijan Meskheti Range is a part of the Lesser Caucasus system. Meskheti Range ( Meskh/Meskhet/Meskhetian Range Adzhar-Imereti Range, Adzhar-Akhaltsikh Range) is a part of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain The Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges are connected by the Likhi Range, which separates the Kolkhida Lowland from the Kura Depression (Kura Lowland). Likhi Range or Surami Range is a Mountain range in Georgia, a part of the Caucasus mountains. In ancient Geography, Colchis or Kolchis ( Georgian and Laz: კოლხეთი k'olxeti; Greek:, Kolchís In the South-East are the Talysh Mountains. Talysh Mountains (کوههای تالش Kuha e Talesh) is a mountain chain in northwestern Iran, in the northwest section of the Elburz Mountains, extending The Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highland constitute the Transcaucasian Highland. The Armenian Highland (Russian Armyanskoye Nagorye; also known as the Armenian Upland or Armenian Plateau, also referred as Eastern Armenia) The South Caucasus is a mountainous geopolitical area of south-central Eurasia, also referred to as Transcaucasia, or The Transcaucasus. The highest peak in the Caucasus range is Mount Elbrus in the Greater Caucasus, which rises to a height of 18,506 feet (5,642 meters) above sea level. Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia Mountains near Sochi will host part of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
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Geology
The Caucasus Mountains formed ca. 28. 49–23. 8 million years ago as the result of a tectonic plate collision between the Arabian plate moving northward with respect to the Eurasian plate. Plate tectonics (from Greek τέκτων tektōn "builder" or "mason" describes the large scale motions of Earth 's Lithosphere The Arabian Plate is one of three Tectonic plates (the African Arabian and Indian crustal plates) which have been moving northward over millions of The Eurasian Plate is a Tectonic plate which includes most of the continent of Eurasia (a landmass consisting of the traditional Continents of Europe The mountain system forms a continuation of the Himalaya, which are being pressed upwards by a similar collision zone with the Eurasian and Indian plates. The India or Indian Plate is a Tectonic plate that was originally a part of the ancient continent of Gondwanaland from which it split off eventually The entire region is regularly subjected to strong earthquakes from this activity, especially as the fault structure is complex with the Anatolia/Turkey and Iranian Blocks flowing sidewise, which prevents subduction of the advancing plate edge and hence the lack of volcanoes on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range (although stratovolcanoes such as Mount Elbrus, Mount Kazbek and others do exist). An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia Mount Kazbek (მყინვარწვერი Mqinvartsveri) is a dormant Stratovolcano and one of the chief Mountains of the Caucasus. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains on the other hand, are largely of volcanic origin. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the The Javakheti Volcanic Plateau in Georgia and the surrounding volcanic ranges which extend well into central Armenia are some of the youngest and the most unstable geological features of the region. Javalkheti Plateau is a Volcanic plateau within the Caucasus Mountains that covers the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia, along the border Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani
There are large granite, gneiss, petroleum (estimated reserves: up to 200 billion barrels) and numerous natural gas deposits found in the area. Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. Gneiss (ˈnaɪs is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from preexisting formations that were originally Petroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, lit Natural gas is a Gaseous Fossil fuel consisting primarily of Methane but including significant quantities of Ethane, Propane,
Geographical affiliation
There is no clear agreement on whether the Caucasus Mountains are a part of Europe or Asia. Depending on the varying perspectives, Europe's highest mountain is either Mount Elbrus (18,506 feet / 5,641 m) or Mont Blanc in the Alps, at the Italian-French border, with a height of 15,774 feet (4808 m). Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia Mont Blanc Massif The Mont Blanc ( French for white mountain) or Monte Bianco ( Italian 'White Mountain' also
The Caucasus Mountains are located in the middle of the Eurasian plate between Europe and Asia. The Eurasian Plate is a Tectonic plate which includes most of the continent of Eurasia (a landmass consisting of the traditional Continents of Europe Because the plate is geologically stable in this region, it is hard to determine the exact course of the continental borderline. Therefore, throughout history the borderline has changed from one place to another. The ancient Greeks saw the Bosphorus and the Caucasus Mountains as the border of Europe. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions The Bosporus or Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, (İstanbul Boğazı (Βόσπορος is a Strait that forms the boundary between the Later this view changed several times for political reasons. In the Migration Period and the Middle Ages, Bosphorus and the river Don divided the two continents. The Migration Period, also called Barbarian Invasions, or sometimes Völkerwanderung ( German for "wandering of peoples" is the English name The Don (Дон is one of the major rivers of Russia. It rises in the town of Novomoskovsk 60 Kilometres southeast from Tula, southeast
The border was historically defined by the Swedish military officer and geographer Philip Johan von Strahlenberg, who suggested the border follow the peaks of the Urals, and then the lower Emba and the coast of the Caspian Sea, before passing through the Kuma-Manych Depression, which lies 300 km north of the Caucasus Mountains. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority A geographer is a Scientist whose area of study is Geography, the study of Earth 's physical environment and Human habitat Philip Johan von Strahlenberg (1676 — 1747 was a Swedish officer and Geographer of German origin who made important contributions to the cartography Riphean redirects here For the time period see Riphean stage The Ural Mountains (Ура́льские го́ры Uralskiye The Emba River (Zhem in west Kazakhstan rises in the Mugodzhar Hills and flows some 400 miles (640 km southwest into the Caspian Sea. The Kuma-Manych Depression (Кумо-Манычская впадина Kumo-Manychskaya vpadina is a Geological depression in southwestern Russia that separates In 1730, this course was approved by the Russian Tsar and since then was adopted by many scientists. Year 1730 ( MDCCXXX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Tsar csar and tzar redirect here For other uses see Tsar (disambiguation. Following this definition, the mountains are a part of Asia and according to this view, the highest European mountain is Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc Massif The Mont Blanc ( French for white mountain) or Monte Bianco ( Italian 'White Mountain' also
On the other hand, La Grande Encyclopédie clearly draws the border between Europe and Asia south of both Caucasian mountain ranges. La Grande Encyclopédie inventaire raisonné des sciences des lettres et des arts ( The Great Encyclopedia a systematic inventory of science letters and the arts Both Elbrus and Kazbek are here European mountains. Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia Mount Kazbek (მყინვარწვერი Mqinvartsveri) is a dormant Stratovolcano and one of the chief Mountains of the Caucasus.
In political terms, the present-day division is either considered to be between Russia (Europe) on one side and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan (Asia) on the other, inclusive of Georgia and Azerbaijan within Europe but not Armenia, or inclusive of all three nations. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South
Notable peaks
The table below lists some of the highest peaks of the Caucasus. With the exception of Shkhara, the heights are taken from Soviet 1:50,000 mapping. Shkhara (შხარა Шхара is the highest point in the nation of Georgia. There are higher and more prominent, but nameless, peaks than some of the peaks included below.
| Peak Name | Elevation (m) | Prominence (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbrus | 5,642 | 4,741 | Russia |
| Dykh-Tau | 5,205 | 2,002 | Russia |
| Shkhara | 5,201 | 1,365 | Georgia/Russia |
| Koshtan-Tau | 5,152 | 822 | Russia |
| Jangi-Tau (Janga) | 5,059 | 300 | Russia/Georgia |
| Kazbek | 5,047 | 2,353 | Georgia/Russia |
| Pushkin | 5,033 | 110 | Russia/Georgia |
| Katyn-Tau | 4,979 | 240 | Russia/Georgia |
| Shota Rustaveli | 4,860 | c. Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус is a Mountain located in the western Caucasus Mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Dykh-Tau or Dykhtau (Дыхтау is a Mountain located in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia; its peak stands about 5 km (3 mi Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Shkhara (შხარა Шхара is the highest point in the nation of Georgia. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Koshtan-Tau (Коштан-тау (also Mount Koshkhatau) is the highest peak of the Koshtan Massif of the central Caucasus Mountains in the Kabardino-Balkaria Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Janga or Jangi-Tau is a summit in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. Janga or Jangi-Tau is a summit in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Mount Kazbek (მყინვარწვერი Mqinvartsveri) is a dormant Stratovolcano and one of the chief Mountains of the Caucasus. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Shota Rustaveli (officially known as the Shota Rustaveli Peak) is a mountain in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, straddling the border of 50 | Georgia/Russia |
| Tetnuld | 4,858 | 672 | Georgia |
See also: List of the most prominent mountains in the Caucasus
Climate
The climate of the Caucasus varies both vertically (according to elevation) and horizontally (by latitude and location). Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Tetnuld (თეთნულდი is a prominent peak in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, located in the Svaneti region of Georgia Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Svaneti or Svanetia ( Suania in ancient sources (სვანეთი Svaneti) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Temperature generally decreases as elevation rises. Average annual temperature in Sukhumi, Abkhazia at sea level is 15 degrees Celsius while on the slopes of Mt. Sukhumi, also spelled as Sukhum ( Abkhaz: Аҟəа Aqwa; სოხუმი Sokhumi, Сухуми/Сухум is the capital Abkhazia (Аҧсны Apsny აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti Абха́зия Abhazia) is a De facto Kazbek at an elevation of 3700 meters, average annual temperature falls to -6. Mount Kazbek (მყინვარწვერი Mqinvartsveri) is a dormant Stratovolcano and one of the chief Mountains of the Caucasus. 1 degrees Celsius. The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range are 3 degrees (Celsius) colder than the southern slopes. The highlands of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are marked by sharp temperature contrasts between the summer and winter months due to a more continental climate. Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between
Precipitation increases from east to west in most areas. Elevation plays an important role in the Caucasus and mountains generally receive higher amounts of precipitation than low-lying areas. The northeastern regions (Dagestan) and the southern portions of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are the driest. The Republic of Dagestan dæɡɪˈstɑːn (IntEng ˈdeɪɡəstæn (AmEng (Респу́блика Дагеста́н Дагъистанлъул ДжумхIурият Daɣistanłul The absolute minimum annual precipitation is 250mm (8. 4 inches) in the northeastern Caspian Depression. Caspian Depression (Прикаспийская низменность Caspian Lowland) is a low-lying Flatland region encompassing the northern part Western parts of the Caucasus Mountains are marked by high amounts of precipitation. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range receive higher amounts of precipitation than the northern slopes. Annual precipitation in the Western Caucasus ranges from 1000-4000mm (39-157 inches) while in the Eastern and Northern Caucasus (Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ossetia, Kakheti, Kartli, etc) precipitation ranges from 600-1800mm (23. The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika The Republic of Ingushetia ( Ingush: ГӀалгӀай Мохк Респу́блика Ингуше́тия Respublika Ingushetiya) is a federal The Kabardino-Balkar Republic (Кабарди́но-Балка́рская Респу́блика Kabardian: Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ Ossetia (pronounced /ɒˈsɛtɪə/ or /oʊˈsiːʃə/ Ossetic: Ирыстон Iryston; Russian: Осетия Osetiya; Georgian Kakheti ( Georgian: კახეთი is a province in Eastern Georgia. Kartli (ქართლი is the largest and most populated province of Eastern Georgia. 6-70. 9 inches). The absolute maximum annual precipitation is 4100mm (161 inches) around the Mt. Mtirala area which lies on the Meskheti Range in Ajaria. Meskheti Range ( Meskh/Meskhet/Meskhetian Range Adzhar-Imereti Range, Adzhar-Akhaltsikh Range) is a part of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain The precipitation of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain Range (Southern Georgia, Armenia, western Azerbaijan), not including the Meskheti Range, varies from 300-800mm (11. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Meskheti Range ( Meskh/Meskhet/Meskhetian Range Adzhar-Imereti Range, Adzhar-Akhaltsikh Range) is a part of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain 8-31. 5 inches) annually.
The Caucasus Mountains are known for the high amount of snowfall, although many regions which are not located along the windward slopes do not receive nearly as much snow. This is especially true for the Lesser Caucasus Mountains which are somewhat isolated from the moist influences coming in from the Black Sea and receive considerably less precipitation (in the form of snow) than the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The Black Sea is an inland Sea bounded by southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and the Anatolian peninsula ( Turkey The average winter snow cover of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains ranges from 10-30cm (4-12 inches). The Greater Caucasus Mountains (especially the southwestern slopes) are marked by heavy snowfall. Avalanches are common from November-April. This article refers to the natural event For other uses see Avalanche (disambiguation An avalanche is an abrupt and rapid flow of snow often
Snow cover in several regions (Svanetia, northern Abkhazia ) may reach 5 meters (16. Svaneti or Svanetia ( Suania in ancient sources (სვანეთი Svaneti) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of Abkhazia (Аҧсны Apsny აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti Абха́зия Abhazia) is a De facto 4 feet). The Mt. Achishkho region, which is the snowiest place in the Caucasus, often records snow depths of 7 meters (23 feet).
Landscape
The Caucasus Mountains have a varied landscape which mainly changes vertically and according to the distance from large bodies of water. The region contains biomes ranging from subtropical low-land marshes/forests to glaciers (Western and Central Caucasus) as well as highland semideserts/steppes and alpine meadows in the south (mainly Armenia and Azerbaijan). A biome is a climatically and geographically defined area of ecologically similar climatic conditions such as communities of Plants Animals and "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period. A Semi-arid climate or steppe climate generally describes climatic regions that receive low annual Rainfall (250-500 mm or 10-20 in In physical Geography, a steppe ( German, from степь - "a flat and arid land" степ - /stɛp/ тал - tal дала - /dɑlɑ/ pronounced An alpine meadow is a high-altitude Grassland plant community located in an Alpine climate, above the treeline of a mountain Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South
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 take over at higher elevations. The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin Plants in the genus Carpinus ( Cár-pi-nus) are commonly called Hornbeams. Acer ( maple) is a Genus of Trees or Shrubs They are variously classified in a family of their own the Aceraceae, or An ash can be any of four different tree genera from four very distinct families; most commonly in a combined form (e Birch is the name of any Tree of the genus Betula ( Bé-tu-la) in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the This article is about the tree For other uses of the term "pine" see Pine (disambiguation. Some of the lowest locations/slopes of the region are covered by steppes and grasslands. In physical Geography, a steppe ( German, from степь - "a flat and arid land" степ - /stɛp/ тал - tal дала - /dɑlɑ/ pronounced Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody The slopes of the Northwestern Greater Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria, Cherkessia, etc. The Kabardino-Balkar Republic (Кабарди́но-Балка́рская Респу́блика Kabardian: Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ Circassia, also known as Cherkessia in Russian is a region in Caucasia. ) also contain spruce and fir forests. Spruce refers to Trees of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of Coniferous Evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae Firs ( Abies) are a genus of between 45-55 species of Evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. The alpine zone replaces the forest around 2,000 meters above sea level. For the climate of the mountains named the Alps, see Climate of the Alps. The permafrost/glacier line generally starts around 2,800-3,000 meters. "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period. The south-eastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by beech, oak, maple, hornbeam, and ash forests. For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin Acer ( maple) is a Genus of Trees or Shrubs They are variously classified in a family of their own the Aceraceae, or Plants in the genus Carpinus ( Cár-pi-nus) are commonly called Hornbeams. Beech forests tend to dominate in higher locations. For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the The south-western slopes of the Greater Caucasus are covered by Colchian forests (oak, buxus, beech, chestnut, hornbeam, elm) at lower elevations with coniferous and mixed forests (spruce, fir and beech) taking over at higher elevations. In ancient Geography, Colchis or Kolchis ( Georgian and Laz: კოლხეთი k'olxeti; Greek:, Kolchís The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin Buxus is a Genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box (majority of English-speaking countries or boxwood For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the Chestnut ( Castanea) (including some chinkapin or Chinquapin) is a Genus of eight or nine Species of Deciduous Plants in the genus Carpinus ( Cár-pi-nus) are commonly called Hornbeams. Elms are Deciduous and Semi-deciduous Trees comprising the genus Ulmus, family Ulmaceae, found Spruce refers to Trees of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of Coniferous Evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae Firs ( Abies) are a genus of between 45-55 species of Evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the The alpine zone on the southern slopes may extend up to 2,800 meters above sea level while the glacier/snow line starts from 3,000-3,500 meters. "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period.
The northern and western slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are characterized both by Colchian and other deciduous forests at lower elevations while mixed and coniferous forests (mainly spruce and fir) dominate at higher elevations. The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending In ancient Geography, Colchis or Kolchis ( Georgian and Laz: კოლხეთი k'olxeti; Greek:, Kolchís Botany Autumn leaf color. See --> In Botany and Horticulture, deciduous Plants, including Spruce refers to Trees of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of Coniferous Evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae Firs ( Abies) are a genus of between 45-55 species of Evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. Beech forests are also common at higher elevations. For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the The southern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are largely covered by grasslands and steppes up to an elevation of 2,500 meters. Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody In physical Geography, a steppe ( German, from степь - "a flat and arid land" степ - /stɛp/ тал - tal дала - /dɑlɑ/ pronounced The highest areas of the region contain alpine grasslands as well. Volcanic and other rock formations are common throughout the region. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the The volcanic zone extends over a large area from southern Georgia into Armenia and southwestern Azerbaijan. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Some of the prominent peaks of the region include Mt. Aragats, Didi Abuli, Samsari, and others. Didi Abuli is the highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the nation of Georgia. The area is characterized by volcanic plateaus, lava flows, volcanic lakes, volcanic cones and other features. A volcanic plateau is a Plateau produced by Volcanic activity. Lava is molten rock expelled by a Volcano during an eruption When first expelled from a volcanic vent it is a Liquid at Temperatures Crater Lake is a Caldera Lake located in the US state of Oregon. Volcanic cones are among the simplest Volcano formations in the world The Lesser Caucasus Mountains lack the type of glaciers/glacial features that are common on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.
Parts of this article are from the NASA Earth Observatory; [1]
References
See also
- Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus By Svante E. The NASA Earth Observatory is an online publishing organization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States (US Cornell
External links
- NASA Earth Observatory images of the Caucasus: [2]
- Highest Peaks of the Caucasus from peakbagger.com
- Topographic map of Caucasus
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