The Caucasus Mountains, also known as the Greater Caucasus Mountains, are located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and traverse the three countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in a northwesterly-southeasterly direction. It is a folded mountain system formed by the Alpine movement.
Caucasus MountainsThe main axis of the watershed for the southern Europe and West Asia, the demarcation line. The total length of about 1,200 kilometers, 200 kilometers wide, steep mountains, the altitude of most of the 3,000 meters to 4,000 meters. Can be divided into east, center and west three sections. East and west two sections of the mountain is lower, the general elevation of 4000 meters below, the mountain is wider; in the middle section of the mountain is narrower, the mountain is steep, many peaks in the 5000 meters above sea level, Mount Elbrus for the highest peak, elevation of 5642 meters, the mountain climate is cold, year-round snow.
Caucasus MountainsThe north side of the mountain range is called the former Caucasus or the North Caucasus, which is a temperate continental climate, with large differences in winter and summer temperatures; the south side of the mountain range is called the Transcaucasus or the South Caucasus, which is a subtropical climate. The Caucasus Mountains are rich in mineral resources, the main deposits of which are manganese, lead and zinc, and oil and natural gas are even richer. There are the famous Baku oil field, Stavropol natural gas field, Chatura manganese mine and Armenian copper mine. The northern foothills are rich in mineral springs and are therefore often used as health resorts. The most famous places to visit in the mountains are the cities of Sochi and Sukhumi.
Barrier of EuropeThe majestic Caucasus Mountains are located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, winding from northwest to southeast, where the Greater Caucasus is part of the boundary between Asia and Europe.
Caucasus MountainsThe Greater Caucasus Mountains are 1200 kilometers long and can be divided into three sections: east, central and west. The east and west sections are low, generally below 4000 meters above sea level, and the width of the mountain is about 200 kilometers; the middle section is narrower and steeper, with many peaks above 5000 meters above sea level, and Mt. Elbrus is the highest peak, with an elevation of 5,642 meters above sea level, and the climate on the mountain is cold and snowy all the year round.
The vertical changes in the natural landscape of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are very obvious. The altitude of 2,000 meters is the crop cultivation line, 2,000 meters to 2,800 meters are coniferous forests and alpine meadows, and 2,800 meters to 3,500 meters are the snow line.
The course of the Little Caucasus Mountains is roughly parallel to that of the Great Caucasus Mountains, and lies to the south of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Between the two mountains are the Korshida lowland on the Black Sea coast and the Kura-Araks and Lenkoran lowlands facing the Caspian Sea.
The Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus are folded mountain systems formed by the Alpine movement, with a complex geology, very strong neotectonic movement, and many volcanoes and earthquakes.
Caucasus MountainsThe Caucasus Mountains are rich in mineral resources, especially in oil, gas and metal ore reserves. There are the famous Baku oil field, Stavropol gas field, Chatura manganese mine and Armenian copper mine.
The Caucasus Mountains have many tourist and health resorts. The natural beauty of the region attracts many tourists, and the rest and recreation areas are well equipped.
Little Caucasus
In Baku, the festival "Turning Rhythms of the Caucasus" is held from October 5 to 13 every year. Mountaineers can show off their skills here, and alpine skiers can visit the Caucasus in January-March in places like Erebruski and Dombabai, where well-equipped ski resorts offer a wide range of services to tourists.
The most famous places to visit in the Caucasus mountains are the cities of Sochi and Sukhumi.
Sochi is a scenic, sanatorium resort, which is located in the north of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Standing at the edge of the city on the Great Aghon Mountain, you can look around the snow-capped mountains of the Great Caucasus. There are many sanatoriums and hotels in the city, which are open to tourists from all over the world, and more than 2.5 million visitors come here every year. The famous sanatorium Matsesta mineral springs have been known since Roman times for their strange medical properties.
Sukhumi is also a famous tourist and health resort. The city is surrounded by mountains and the sea, and is rich in forests and monuments. On the outskirts of Sukhumi are the ruins of the castle named after the first emperor of the united Georgian principalities, Baghtara the Third. Four kilometers away from the city, there is the famous Krasuri Wall, an ancient military project, similar to the Great Wall of China, which stretches across the valley and is quite spectacular. There is also a cave complex in the Ochamchile district, the most famous of which is the Chelou Cave, also known as the Abras Cave, which is two kilometers long. The city of Sukhumi is also famous for its botanical gardens and forest parks.
TerrainThe Caucasus Mountains extend from the northwest to the southeast, forming two main mountain ranges, the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, and covering 440,000 square kilometers including the foothills of the mountains, making it a region with a varied natural ecology. Many of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains are very tall, and the absolute height of many of them exceeds 5,000 meters above sea level, surpassing that of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe.
Among them, the Elbrus Peak, referred to as "El Peak", is the "leader" of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains, with a height of 5,633 meters, which is located in the center of the Caucasus, and is surrounded by mountains, appearing to be outstanding and outstanding. As it is located in the high latitude zone, the Caucasus Mountain snow and glacier erosion on the terrain is very strong, and the huge ice bucket towers over the mountainside, becoming a ridge as thin as a knife blade, which is quite like the charm of "leaning on the heavenly sword". At the top of the mountain, snow piled on the mountains, and form a continuous belt, along the ridge undulating several kilometers, in the sunshine, quite spectacular. And at the bottom of the ancient glaciers, the thin streams often converge into round lakes with blue waves, and the scenery is beautiful and fascinating.
The famous Western Caucasus Mountain Reserve, located at the westernmost end of the Caucasus Mountains, was selected for inclusion in the World Heritage List in 1999. Located 50 kilometers northeast of the Black Sea, it is partially isolated and easily accessible only by helicopter, and is one of the few large mountains in Europe that has not yet been disturbed by humans. The vegetation of the Western Caucasus is typically vertically distributed, with firs, birches, Caucasian rhododendrons and bushes growing in order from the trail to the top.
This is also a paradise for animals. Brown bears, Caucasian deer, roe deer, European bison, rock antelope, otters, black storks, golden eagles and short-toed eagles live here freely. One of the most amazing things about the Western Caucasus is the bizarre world of insects, of which there are 2,500 recorded species, but in reality there are twice as many.
High peaksThe Caucasus Mountains are 1,200 kilometers long and can be divided into three sections: east, central and west. East and west of the two sections of the lower mountains, generally 4000 meters above sea level, the width of the mountain for about 200 kilometers; the middle section of the mountain is narrower, high mountains, many peaks in the 5000 meters above sea level, the mountain climate is cold, year-round snow Caucasus Mountains stand in the Eurasian continent, the west bordering the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, east of the Caspian Sea, is the natural boundary between Europe and Asia. Many of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains are very tall, and the absolute height of many of them exceeds 5,000 meters above sea level, surpassing the highest peak in Western Europe - Mont Blanc.
Among them, the Elbrus, referred to as "Elbrus", is the "leader" of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains, with a height of 5,633 meters, which is located in the center of the Caucasus, and under the surroundings of the mountains, it appears to be outstanding and outstanding. As it is located in the high latitude zone, the Caucasus mountain snow and glacier erosion of the terrain is very strong, the huge ice bucket towering in the mountainside, into a thin as the blade of the mountain ridge, quite "leaning on the heavenly sword" charm.
At the top of the mountain, the snow piled up on the mountains, and formed a continuous belt, undulating along the ridge for several kilometers, in the sunshine, quite spectacular. And at the bottom of the ancient glaciers, fine streams often converge into round lakes with blue waves, with beautiful and charming scenery. The famous Western Caucasus Mountain Reserve, located at the westernmost end of the Caucasus Mountains, was selected for inclusion in the World Heritage List in 1999. Located 50 kilometers northeast of the Black Sea, it is partially isolated and easily accessible only by helicopter, and is one of the few large mountains in Europe that have not yet been disturbed by humans.
Western Caucasus Mountains Basic InformationEnglish Name:Western Caucasus
Number:511.2-013
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999 according to Natural Heritage Selection Criterion N(II)(IV).
Evaluation by the World Heritage CommitteeThe Western Caucasus, at the westernmost end of the Caucasus Mountains, 50 kilometers northeast of the Black Sea, covers an area of more than 275,000 hectares, and is one of the few large mountains in Europe that has not yet been disturbed by man. The alpine steppe pastures in its subalpine zone are eaten only by wild animals. The vast mountain forests that extend from the lower part of the mountain to the subalpine zone are also rare in Europe. The large number of native plants and wildlife in the region shows the diversity of its ecosystems. It is also the place of origin and reintroduction of the mountain subspecies European bison.
Western Caucasus Mountains in briefThe Western Caucasus Mountains Reserve, located in Russia, is the southernmost part of Europe, stretching 130 kilometers from east to west and up to 50 kilometers from north to south, and is partially isolated and easily accessible only by helicopter. The closest city to the reserve, Sochi, is a port city on the eastern shore of the Black Sea and a famous health resort.
The Western Caucasus Mountain Reserve covers an area of 301,068 hectares, with altitudes ranging from 250 to 3,360 meters above sea level, and is included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. The Caucasus Mountains are one of the major mountain ranges in Europe, and the protected part is located at the western end of the mountain near the Black Sea.
Although the Western Caucasus is not the highest and steepest mountain range in the whole range, its geology is quite distinctive, with Cambrian to Paleozoic sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks exposed here; the northern part of the range is dominated by limestone hills, with a number of caves in between, notably a 1,600-meter-deep, 15,000-kilometer-long cave, which is the deepest in Russia in both depth and length, length are the greatest in Russia. Most of the topography of the West Caucasus mountains, such as towering peaks, moraines, mountain mires, alpine lakes and wide valleys are caused by glacial action, so far there are more than 60 glacial sites here.
The West Caucasus Mountains are the demarcation line between the mesohumid and warm-humid zones. The entire ridge of the Greater Caucasus Mountains separates the cold air flowing from north to south. The winter temperature in the north of the mountain is generally below zero, and the average temperature in June can reach 20℃; the south of the mountain is mainly a low mountain area on the Black Sea coast, with a warm and humid climate, not different from the subtropics, and the average temperature in January is 4.2℃, and it is 20℃~21℃ in July~August. Temperatures gradually decrease with elevation, while precipitation increases, up to 3,000 millimeters. The snow layer on the flat mountain rocks is 2m~4m thick, while in the valleys, due to the accumulation effect, the snow layer can reach 10m~16m.
The vegetation of the Western Caucasus Mountains has a typical vertical distribution. Deciduous forests mainly grow on the foothill hills at an altitude of 1,000 meters to 2,000 meters, including limber oaks, sessile flowering oaks, pear trees, European chestnut trees, hornbeam trees and beech trees, as well as particularly valuable yew and boxwood groves; between 1,000 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level, there are fir trees and various kinds of pines, of which 70% of the land grows fir trees; above 2,000 meters above sea level, there are mainly birch and maple forests, and the forests of white birches and maples. Birch and maple forests; in the 2500 meters above the forest line, Caucasian rhododendron and a variety of other bushes occupy a major position; altitude of 2900 meters above the region is covered by snow and ice all year round, according to the record **** there are 1,580 species of conduit plants and 700 species of fungi grow here, of which 160 species of the former are already on the verge of extinction, while the latter also has 12 species are on the verge of extinction.
The complex geography of the Western Caucasus is also reflected in the fauna: as many as 384 species of vertebrates are recorded here. There are dozens of mammals, including wolves, brown bears, bobcats, Caucasian deer, roe deer, European bison, rock antelope, otters, leopards, etc.; the current bird industry has reached 126 kinds of birds, including black storks, fish eagles, teal eagles, king's eagles, golden eagles, short-toothed eagles are all state-level protection; the region also has 17 kinds of reptiles, turtles and vipers are among the more valuable varieties; the West Caucasus is the most amazing place to belong to!
The history of human activity in this land dates back half a million years, and archaeologists have discovered more than 150 ancient human remains. Over the centuries, human activity has not threatened the vast majority of the Western Caucasus, but in recent years, the outlying areas have been negatively impacted by logging, herding, and hunting, making the Western Caucasus a "paradise" for life compared to the destruction of natural resources that is so commonplace today.
The Caucasus Mountains are also the place where Prometheus was sentenced to torture by Zeus in Greek mythology, where Prometheus spent tens of thousands of years of misery, and he was locked (bolted) by the gods of violence and strength with a chain that could never be broken on the cliffs of the lower Western Valley, and the limbs were locked very tightly, and there was also a nail made of diamond in his chest, which was nailed to his chest. He suffered daily from the wind and sun, hunger and thirst. Later, Zeus also sent a divine (evil) eagle to eat Prometheus's entrails every day, and after eating them, he grew back quickly, often with his body dripping with blood, gore, and misery. So he suffered inhuman torture and great mental and physical pain every day until 30,000 years later when Hercules unchained and released him. Nowadays we often compare Prometheus to a willing and indomitable man.
GeographyThe Caucasus Mountains stand between Europe and Asia, bordering the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east, and are the natural boundary between Europe and Asia. It extends from northwest to southeast, forming two main mountain ranges, the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, and covers 440,000 square kilometers, including the foothills, making it a region of varied natural ecology. Many of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains are very tall, and the absolute height of many of them exceeds 5,000 meters above sea level, surpassing that of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. Among them, Elbrus, referred to as "Erfon", is the "leader" of the peaks in the Caucasus Mountains, with a height of 5,633 meters, which is located in the center of the Caucasus, and is surrounded by mountains, appearing to be outstanding and outstanding.
Elbrus PeakDue to its location in the high latitude zone, the Caucasus mountain snow and glaciers on the terrain of the erosion is very strong, the huge ice bucket towering in the mountainside, into a thin as the blade of the mountain ridge, rather "leaning on the sword" charm. At the top of the mountain, snow piled on the mountains, and form a continuous belt, along the ridge undulating several kilometers, in the sunshine, quite spectacular. And at the bottom of the ancient glaciers, the thin streams often converge into round lakes with blue waves, and the scenery is beautiful and fascinating.
The famous Western Caucasus Mountain Reserve, located at the westernmost end of the Caucasus Mountains, was selected for inclusion in the World Heritage List in 1999. Located 50 kilometers northeast of the Black Sea, it is partially isolated and easily accessible only by helicopter, and is one of the few large mountains in Europe that has not yet been disturbed by humans.
The Western Caucasus can be called a "paradise" for life, compared to the reality of the destruction of natural resources that is so common today. The vegetation of the Western Caucasus is typically vertically distributed, with deciduous forests, firs, birches, Caucasian rhododendrons, and bushes growing in order from the mountain road to the top. Off the beaten track, this area is also a paradise for animals. Brown bears, Caucasian deer, roe deer, European bison, rock antelope, otters, black storks, golden eagles and short-toed eagles live freely here. One of the most amazing aspects of the Western Caucasus is the bizarre world of insects, of which there are 2,500 recorded species, but in reality there are more than twice that number.
LegendsWhen we think of the Caucasus Mountains, we immediately think not of their dramatic beauty and their richness, but of the myths that are associated with them. The story of Prometheus is probably familiar to everyone. This "fire-stealer" brought light and warmth to the earth, but suffered a lot on the Caucasian cliffs from the wind and rain, and the evil eagle pecked. The hero who transcended his suffering was admired by the people and was saved as a result. This ancient myth has long been a distant memory of mankind, and also another Greek legend - the story of the Golden Fleece." The mountain is not high, there are fairies is famous", the interpretation of myths and stories make this mountain veiled in mystery, we travel to visit the memory of the story, the benefit will not only eyes, but also the heart.
Nowadays the Caucasus Mountains have become a famous tourist and health resort. The natural beauty and charm of the area attracts travelers from all over the world. The Great Caucasus Mountains also offer a great place for travelers who love mountain travel and mountain skiing. Climbing is probably the best way to get closer to the mythological story. In the forested peaks that reveal the primitive flavor of the path, the summit is the goal, and every step of the climb, toughness and unyielding seems to be the spirit of the heroes of the myths of the vein for the inheritance.
Peak "a glimpse of the mountains," the pride and needless to say, is the mountain road, step by step, the scenery of the pleasing change is also fascinating. When the wind blew through the sea of forests, overlooking the green wave ripples, forest waves, seems to be the dance of nature. Tourists who love alpine skiing can go to the Caucasus mountains of Erebus and Dobarbay from January to March every year, where there are well-equipped ski slopes that provide a variety of services for tourists, who can show off their skills and experience the surprise and comfort brought by the instant glide.
Hot springs in SochiSochi is probably no stranger to us. Both Soviet leaders Stalin, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, and two Russian presidents, Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin, like to come here on vacation. Sochi is known as the "summer capital" of Russia, and is the largest and most famous sanatorium in Russia, with a history of more than 100 years as a sanatorium resort.
Panoramic view of SochiSochi is located on Russia's Black Sea coast, where the Caucasus Mountains almost completely block the cold air from the north, and the sea slowly releases heat from the sun throughout the summer, making it an inexhaustible source of heat during the cooler months. As a result, the climate here is warm and humid, with four seasons like spring, not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in summer and around 8 degrees Celsius in winter, making it the only area in the northernmost part of the earth with a subtropical climate. There are mineral springs in Matsesta that contain hydrosulfides.
Matsesta means "hot water", where the natural water, the temperature of 22 ℃, artificial drilling and gushing out of the water, the temperature of 38 ℃, and its medical properties, in the ancient Roman era is known far and wide. Mineral spring therapy in addition to the form of bathing, but also includes inhalation, dripping and so on. Medical research and practice have proved that the hydrogen sulfide mineral springs in Sochi have a unique healing effect on the human body, have a pronounced regulatory effect on the central nervous system, but also has the effect of promoting metabolism and anti-inflammatory.
In addition, from the watchtower at the top of the highest point in the Sochi region, the "Rainbow", you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Caucasus mountains and the picturesque coast. The coast of Sochi is also lined with a large number of natural sea bathing beaches with excellent natural conditions and services. From mid-May to the end of October is the season when you can swim, and in Sochi there are on average 240 sunny days in a year. You can ascend the mountains for a day of skiing and then take a dip in the sea.
Sochi is a beautiful city, and it was in Sochi that the writer Nikolai Ostrovsky spent most of his creative life, where, in a serious illness, he completed his magnum opus "How Steel is Made" and conceived the first draft of "Born of the Storm". His former residence is now a museum. In the heart of the picturesque city, there are a large number of convenient and comfortable hotels, which are light and elegant, and from all corners of the hotels you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and mountains.
In addition to Sochi, the Caucasus is famous for its tourist attractions, including Georgia. With its beautiful mountains and scenery, Georgia is a world-famous wine producer and tourist destination. Almost every Georgian will tell that wonderful and touching legend: God to the world's various ethnic groups to divide the land, Georgians because of drunkenness and sound sleep late step, when they rushed to God, the world's land has been distributed, so God had to hide in the lapel of the piece of treasure left for their own enjoyment to the Georgians love to drink. Its capital, Tiberiasi, the old city of the waterfront, the new city of the mountains, the whole city along the banks of the Kura River to the foothills of the terraced unfolding, full of strange mood.
Every year in October, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, the "Turning Rhythms of the Caucasus" festival is held, reflecting the local folklore. Tourists feel the passion and exuberance of the local people while having fun with them, and let their souls be infected by the festive atmosphere, forgetting the pressure and worries of daily work, and letting you let loose at that moment and letting you remember that ***.
Caucasus TourismNow on the national people just open to the Russian tourism has become a new choice for the national people to travel. However, according to travel agents, there are not many people traveling to the Caucasus, and journalists searching on the Internet have found it difficult to find travel routes to the Caucasus.
Ms. Zhang of the Moscow Pacific International Travel Service believes that the Caucasus region is relatively less traveled, except for Sochi, because of its remote location and the short time of the year for traveling.
Mr. Lin Kang, Marketing Director of China International Travel Service (CITS), told the reporter that the largest number of Russian tour routes are now concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the two larger cities. Although the Caucasus Mountains in the west have good tourism resources, but one of the transportation is not convenient, and the Caucasus Mountains region is relatively poor tourism infrastructure. Travel agencies have to consider the cost of organizing tours and are also responsible for the safety of tourists, so the Caucasus Mountains are not the focus of group tours now. At the same time, he also believes that the Caucasus mountains for self-help travel backpackers is a good choice, you can see the ordinary people do not see the primitive style, in front of the magnificence of nature's ingenious work of sigh, taste.
It can be said that the Caucasus Mountains are a happy place for backpacking self-help tourists. To travel to the Caucasus, you can enter the country from three countries: Russia, Georgia and Asebaijan. It is definitely a good place for tourists who like mountain travel and skiing, savoring the mythological stories, enjoying the bittersweet *** of ascents as well as the coziness and surprises of skiing, and, of course, the hot springs and exotic flavors are waiting for you.
CNN, January 10 - An avalanche in the Caucasus mountains of southern Russia killed five people.
According to Taiwan's "China News Network" reported on the 10th, officials said, four mountaineers and a guide to climb the Gedantu Peak, close to the summit of 3,700 meters above sea level, was hit by an avalanche.
Rescue workers, along with a helicopter, searched the area and found five bodies. The four climbers were all in their 20s and the guide was in his 40s, all Russian.
Avalanches occur frequently in the Caucasus mountains during the winter, a deadly hazard for those who love to climb.