The Caucasus Mountains: Geography, Diversity, and Politics

Introduction

• The Alpide Belt spans 15,000 km from Morocco to Sumatra and Java.
• The Caucasian Mountains serve as a barrier dividing continents, connecting the Black and Caspian Seas.
• The lecture will cover the geography, history, and cultural significance of the Caucasus region.

Chapter 1: The Physical Geography

• Geographic Location:
  • The Caucasus connects the Black and Caspian Seas with two mountain ranges:
    • Lesser Caucasus Mountains:
      • Mellow, older mountains arching from eastern Turkey to northwestern Iran, passing through Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
      • Formed from the first collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates (60 million years ago).
      • Influenced by glaciation and erosion, creating a smoother surface.
    • Greater Caucasus Mountains:
      • Younger and more rugged, stretches from Taman Peninsula to Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan.
      • Formed approximately 25 million years ago, with tectonic and volcanic features.
      • Contains several peaks over 5,000 meters, with over 2,000 glacier fields.
• Glaciers and Climate:
  • Decrease of surface cover over the last 25 years exceeding 30%.
  • Pocket glaciers are at risk of disappearing.

Chapter 2: Diversity of the Caucasus

• Ecological Zones:
  • From polar tundra to arid desert, with varying climate zones.
  • Rich biodiversity includes predators like the Eurasian Grey Wolf, Caucasian Leopard, and Syrian Brown Bear, amidst diverse vegetation.
• Cultural History:
  • The region has a history dating back to the Bronze Age with connections to early civilizations.
  • Numerous kingdoms and cultures have emerged due to its location between Europe and Asia.
  • A unique collection of 28 languages from three different language families exist today.

Chapter 3: Political and Cultural Peculiarities

• Conflict Regions:
  • South Ossetia and Abkhazia are culturally distinct regions that have faced political strife and independence movements.
  • After the collapse of the Soviet Union, tensions escalated, leading to armed conflict in 2008 with Russian support for separatists.
• Mountaineering and Continental Borders:
  • Different definitions of the Europe-Asia border affect mountaineering classifications (e.g., Mount Elbrus as the highest in Europe).
  • The debate over the border impacts the seven summit challenge established by mountaineers like William Hackett, Richard Bass, and Reinhold Messner.

Conclusion

• The Caucasian Mountains serve as both a barrier and a connection between Europe and Asia, showcasing unique biodiversity and rich histories.
• Encouragement to explore more about diverse mountain regions and support the channel.