Caucasus



"The Caucasus divides Europe and Asia. Like I said, it's now at war, because my friend knew that Armenia, Abkhazia, Adjara, South Ossetia and Artsakh are teaming up with Russia to gain their independence and bring an end to both Azerbaijan and Georgia."

--Su Ji-Hoon, Blood Mountains

The Caucasus /ˈkɔːkəsəs/ or Caucasia /kɔːˈkeɪʒə/ is a region located at the border of Europe and Asia, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. A less common definition includes also portions of northwestern Iran and northeastern Turkey.

It is home to the Caucasus Mountains including the Greater Caucasus mountain range, which acts as a natural barrier separating Eastern Europe from Western Asia, the latter including the Transcaucasia, Armenian Highland and Anatolia regions. Europe's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus, at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) is located in the west part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range.

The Caucasus region is separated between northern and southern parts – the North Caucasus (Ciscaucasus) and Transcaucasus (South Caucasus), respectively. The Greater Caucasus mountain range in the north is within the Russian Federation, while the Lesser Caucasus mountain range in the south is occupied by several independent states, namely Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and partially recognized Republic of Artsakh.

The Greater Caucasus mountain range acts as a natural barrier separating Eastern Europe from Western Asia, the latter including the Transcaucasia and Anatolia regions.