The Caucasus Mountains are an impregnable border between Europe and Asia. Main Caucasian ridge

The Main Caucasian (Watershed) Range is a continuous mountain chain stretching more than 1,100 km from northwest to southeast from the Black Sea (Anapa region) to the Caspian Sea (Mount Ilkhydag northwest of Baku). The Caucasus Range divides the Caucasus into two parts: Ciscaucasia (North Caucasus) and Transcaucasia (South Caucasus).

The Main Caucasus Range separates the basins of the Kuban, Terek, Sulak and Samur rivers in the north and the Inguri, Rioni and Kura rivers in the south.

The mountain system that includes the Main Caucasus Range is called the Greater Caucasus (or Greater Caucasus Range), in contrast to the Lesser Caucasus, a vast highland located south of the Rioni and Kura valleys and connected directly with the highlands of Western Asia.

For a more convenient overview, the Caucasus ridge can be divided along its length from west to east into seven parts:

Black Sea Caucasus (from the Anapa meridian to the Fisht - Oshten mountain group - approx. 265 km),

Kuban Caucasus (from Oshten to the source of the Kuban) - 160 km,

Elbrus Caucasus, or western (Karachay-Circassian) Elbrus region (from the source of the Kuban to the peak of Adai-Khokh) - 170 km,

Terek (Kazbek) Caucasus (from Adai-Khokh to Barbalo) - 125 km,

Dagestan Caucasus (from Barbalo to the top of Sari-dag) - 130 km,

Samur Caucasus (from Sari-dag to Baba-dag) - approx. 130 km,

Caspian Caucasus (from Baba-dag to the peak of Ilkhydag) - approx. 170 km.

A more enlarged division is also accepted:

Western Caucasus (bounded from the east by Elbrus);

Central Caucasus;

Eastern Caucasus (bounded from the west by Kazbek).

The entire system of the Main Caucasus Range occupies approximately 2,600 km². The northern slope occupies about 1450 km², and the southern slope - about 1150 km².

The width of the Caucasus Range in the western (slightly west of Elbrus, and including the Elbrus mountain range) and eastern (Dagestan) parts is about 160...180 km, in the central - about 100 km; both ends taper greatly and are (especially the western) insignificant in width.

The highest is the middle part of the ridge, between Elbrus and Kazbek (average heights about 3,400 - 3,500 m above sea level); Its highest peaks are concentrated here, the highest of which - Elbrus - reaches an altitude of 5,642 m above sea level. m.; East of Kazbek and west of Elbrus, the ridge decreases, more significantly in the second direction than in the first.

In general, in height, the Caucasus Range significantly exceeds the Alps; it has no less than 15 peaks exceeding 5,000 m, and more than 20 peaks higher than Mont Blanc, the highest peak in all of Western Europe. The advanced elevations accompanying the Main Range, in most cases, do not have the character of continuous chains, but represent short ridges or mountain groups connected to the watershed ridge by spurs and broken in many places by deep river gorges, which, starting in the Main Range and breaking through the advanced elevations, descend to the foothills and emerge onto the plains.

Mount Elbrus from the air - the roof of Europe

Thus, almost along its entire length (in the west - from the south, in the east - from the north) the watershed ridge is adjacent to a number of high basins, in most cases of lake origin, closed on one side by the heights of the watershed, as well as its spurs, and on the other - separate groups and short ridges of advanced hills, which in some places exceed the main chain in height.

On the northern side of the watershed, transverse basins predominate, and on the southern side, except for its western end, longitudinal basins predominate. It is also characteristic of the Caucasus Range that many of the primary peaks lie not on the Vodorazdelny ridge, but at the ends of its short spurs heading north (this is the position of the peaks Elbrus, Koshtan, Adai-Khokh, etc.). This is the so-called Lateral Caucasian Ridge, which stretches in the vast majority of cases (in many places) even below the Skalisty.

Northern slope of the Caucasus ridge

The northern, more developed slope of the Caucasus Range, formed by many spurs, generally adjacent almost perpendicular to the Main Range and separated by transverse deep valleys, reaches very significant development in the vicinity of Elbrus (Elbrus ledge). The most significant rise [Elbrus-Mineralovodskaya fault zone] is directed from this peak directly to the north, serves as a watershed between the waters of the Kuban (Azov) and Terek (Caspian Sea) and, descending with ledges further, spreads into the island mountains of Pyatigorye and the vast Stavropol Upland (the main rise forward ledges reaches the Pastbishchny ridge, bordering the horseshoe of the Kislovodsk basin, turns south (of Kislovodsk) to the east, along with gorges and river valleys, stretches to the Tersko-Sunzhensky interfluve - forming the Tersko-Sunzhensky upland, and further - up to the Andean ridge).

The northern slope is even more developed in the eastern part of the Caucasus ridge, where numerous, and very significant in height and length, its spurs form the vast mountainous country of Dagestan (Dagestan ledge) - a large mountainous region, closed by the high Andean, Sala-Tau and Gimrynsky (2334 m ) ridges. Gradually descending to the north, the northern slope is formed by many advanced hills, which in some places appear in the form of ridges and mountain spurs; These mountain ranges include the so-called Black Mountains (see) (Pasture Range), located north of the Main Range, at a distance of 65 km from it. The Black Mountains form gentle and long slopes, in most areas covered with dense forests (hence the name), and fall into steep cliffs to the south. Rivers flowing from the Main Range break through the Black Mountains through deep and narrow, very picturesque gorges (the Sulak Canyon is up to 1800 m deep); the height of this advanced chain, in general, is insignificant, although (in the west of the Dagestan ledge) in the upper reaches of the Ardon and Urukh, some of their peaks reach an altitude of more than 3,300 m above sea level (Kion-Khokh - 3,423 m, Kargu-Khokh - 3 350 m, Vaza-Khokh - 3,529 m (Rocky and Side ridges)).

view of the Caucasus Range from the Rosa Khutor base

The southern slope is particularly poorly developed in the western and eastern parts of the ridge, reaching a fairly significant orographic development in the middle, where it is adjacent to parallel hills that form the longitudinal valleys of the upper reaches of the Rioni, Enguri and Tskhenis-tskhali, and long spurs extending to the south, separating the Alazani basins , Iori and Kura.

The steepest and least developed section of the southern slope is where it falls towards the Alazani valley; The city of Zagatala, located at an altitude of 355 m at the southern foot of the Caucasus Range, is located in a straight line only 20 km from its crest, which here reaches an altitude of more than 3,300 m above sea level. The Caucasus Range is not particularly passable; Only at its western and eastern extremities are there convenient and low passes that are fully accessible all year round for communication.

Throughout the rest of the length, with the exception of the Mamison and Cross passes (see Georgian Military Road), the paths through the ridge in most cases are pack paths or even pedestrian paths, partly completely inaccessible for use in the winter season. Of all the passes, the most important is Krestovy (2,379 m), through which the Georgian Military Road passes.

Central Caucasus

Glaciers of the Caucasus

In terms of the number of glaciers, their area and size, the Caucasus Range is almost as good as the Alps. The largest number of significant glaciers is located in the Elbrus and Terek parts of the ridge, and there are about 183 glaciers of the first category in the Kuban, Terek, Liakhva, Rioni and Inguri basins, and 679 of the second category. In total in the Greater Caucasus, according to the “Catalog of Glaciers of the USSR” (1967 —1978), 2,050 glaciers with a total area of ​​1,424 km². The size of the Caucasian glaciers is very diverse, and some of them (for example, Bezengi) are almost as large as the Aletsch glacier in the Alps. The Caucasian glaciers nowhere descend as low as, for example, the glaciers of the Alps, and in this respect they present great diversity; Thus, the end of the Karaugom glacier descends to an altitude of 1,830 m above sea level, and the Shah-Dag glacier (ShahDag (4243 m), in the Bazar-Dyuzu region) - to an altitude of 3,320 m above sea level. The most famous glaciers of the Caucasus Range are:

Mount Fisht, Caucasus

Name of the glacier (Mountain from which it descends)

Bezengi (bass by Cherek Bezengisky) Shota Rustaveli peak, Shkhara

Dykh-Su [Dykh-Kotyu-BugoySu]

Karaugom (Urukh, bass. Terek) Adai-khoh

Tsaneri [Tsanner] (bass. Inguri) Tetnuld

Devdoraki (bass Amali) Kazbek

Big Azau (Baksan, Terek basin) Elbrus, southern shoulder

Snow Valley Jikiugankez

Malka and Baksan Elbrus, eastern shoulder

Tsey (Ardon, bass. Terek)

Lekhzyr [Lekzyr, Lekziri] (bass Inguri)

Ezengi (Yusengi)

Donguzorun-Cheget-Karabashi (west), Yusengi ridge (east)

Shkheldy glacier (Adylsu, Baksan basin)

Shhelda (4368 m),

Chatyntau (4411 m)

panorama of the Caucasus ridge

During the Ice Age, the glaciers of the Caucasus Range were much more numerous and extensive than now; from the numerous traces of their existence, found far from modern glaciers, we can conclude that the ancient glaciers extended in length for 53, 64 and even up to 106.7 or more kilometers, descending into valleys to heights of 244...274 meters above sea level. Currently, most of the glaciers of the Caucasus Range are in a period of retreat, which has lasted for several decades.

Main Caucasus Range - Abkhazia

MAIN PEAKS AND GLACIERS OF THE CAUCASUS RIDGE

Bezengi is a mountainous region of Kabardino-Balkaria, the central, highest part of the Caucasus Mountains, including the Bezengi wall of the main Caucasus ridge and the side ridges adjacent to the north that form the Cherek Bezengi river basin.

Bezengi wall

The Bezengi Wall is a 42-kilometer mountain range, the highest section of the main Caucasus ridge. Usually the boundaries of the wall are considered to be the peaks Lyalver (in the west) and Shkhara (in the east).

To the north, the wall drops steeply to 3000 m to the Bezengi glacier (Ullu-Chiran). To the south, to Georgia, the terrain is complex, there are wall sections and high-altitude glacial plateaus.

Tops of the area

Bezengi wall

Lyalver (4350)

Yesenin Peak (4310)

Gestola (4860)

Katyntau (4974)

Dzhangitau (5085)

Sh. Rustaveli Peak (4960)

Shkhara (5068)

Mount Dykhtau, Side Range

Side ridge

Koshtantau (5152)

Krumkol (4676)

Tikhonov Peak (4670)

Mizhirgi (5025)

Pushkin Peak (5033)

Dykhtau (5204)

Warm corner

Gidan (4167)

Archimedes Peak (4100)

Georgia, Trinity Monastery near Mount Kazbek

Salynan-bashi (4348)

Ortokara (4250)

Peak Ryazan

Peak Brno (4100)

Misses-tau (4427)

Peak Cadets (3850)

Mount Shkhara

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN OF GEORGIA

Shkhara (Georgian: შხარა) is a mountain peak in the central part of the Main Caucasus (Watershed) Range, the highest point in Georgia. Elevation 5,068 m above sea level, some sources estimate 5,201 m. Located in Svaneti from the south and Bezengi in Kabardino-Balkaria from the north, on the border with Russia, approximately 90 km north of the city of Kutaisi. It is part of a unique 12-kilometer mountain range known as the Bezengi Wall.

It is composed of granites and crystalline schists. The slopes are covered with glaciers, on the northern slope there is the Bezengi glacier, on the southern slope there is the Shkhara glacier, from which the Inguri River partially originates. Popular mountaineering spot. Soviet climbers first climbed Shkhara in 1933.

At the foot of the southern slopes of Shkhara, at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level, there is the village of Ushguli in the Mestia region of Svaneti, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

MOUNT TETNULD Main Caucasus Range

Tetnuld (Georgian: თეთნულდი “white mountain”) is a peak in the spur of the Bezengi Wall, the Main Caucasus Range in the Upper Svaneti region, Georgia, 2 km south of the peak of Gestola and the border of the Russian Federation (Kabardino-Balkaria).

Height - 4,869 m.

The peak is two-headed, composed of ancient crystalline rocks. The glaciers Oish, Nageb, (headwaters of the Inguri), Adish and others flow down from Tetnuld. The total area of ​​glaciers is 46 km².

The regional center of Mestia is located 22 km west of the peak.

Mount Gestola

TSEISKY GLACIER

The Tsey glacier (Ossetian: Tsyæy tsiti) is a valley glacier on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, one of the largest and lowest-lying glaciers in the Caucasus.

The Tseysky glacier is located in North Ossetia and is fed mainly by the snow of Mount Adai-Khokh (4,408 m). The Tseysky glacier descends to a height of 2,200 m above sea level, that is, below the vast majority of glaciers in the Caucasus. Its length, together with the firn fields, is about 9 km, the area is 9.7 km². At the very bottom it is quite narrow, and above it it widens greatly, reaching 1 km in width. Constrained by rocks at an altitude of 2,500 m above sea level, it forms countless cracks and has several icefalls, but higher up its surface becomes smoother again.

The Tseysky glacier is formed from 2 large and 2 smaller branches. From the ice arch of the Tseya glacier flows the beautiful Tseya (Tseydon) river, which flows from west to east through a deep, picturesque gorge covered with pine forest. It flows into the Ardon on the left side.

Near the Tseysky glacier there are mountaineering camps and the Ossetia tourist center, as well as the Goryanka hotel, the SKGMI scientific station and a weather station. There are two cable cars leading to the glacier. Mountain climatic resort area - Tsey.

Many poems by both famous authors (for example, “Tseyskaya” by Yuri Vizbor) and folk ones are dedicated to the Tseysky glacier and gorge:

What a wonderful camp Tsey, /

I have many friends here. /

And the mountains are nearby - I won’t hide that. /

As soon as you step outside the threshold, /

Before the eyes of Adai-Khokh, /

And the gray block “Monk” overhead...

Mount Adai-Khokh

Friend, give thanks for the cup,

I hold the sky in my hand

Mountain air of the state

Drinking on the Tseysky glacier.

Nature itself keeps here

A clear trace of bygone times -

nineteenth year

Cleansing ozone.

And below from the pipes of Sadon

Gray smoke stretches out,

So that when it comes to me

This cold didn’t carry me away.

There under the roofs, like a net,

The rain breathes and trembles,

And along the line a trolley

Runs like a black bead.

I am present at the meeting

Two times and two heights,

And prickly snow on your shoulders

Old Tsei gives it to me.

Moscow, 1983. Arseny Tarkovsky

Mount Monk

MOUNTAIN Donguzorun-Cheget

Donguzorun-Cheget-Karabashi or Donguz-Orun is the top of the Main (or Watershed) Ridge of the Greater Caucasus, in the Elbrus region. Located in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria of the Russian Federation. Height - 4454 m.

Nearby, at an altitude of 3203 m, there is the Donguzorun mountain pass across the Main Range between the valleys of the Baksan (Russia) and Inguri (Georgia) rivers. At the foot of the Donguzorun-Cheget-Karabashi flows one of the tributaries of the Baksan - the Donguz-Orun River.

MOUNTAIN ACHISHKHO

Achishkho (Adyghe goat mountain: Achi - “goat”, shkho - “height”, “peak”.) (Nedezhui-Kushkh) is a mountain range in the Western Caucasus, located on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. Height up to 2391 m (Mount Achishkho, 10 km northwest of Krasnaya Polyana).

The ridge is composed of clayey shales and volcanic (tuffaceous) rocks. The landscapes of the Achishkho ridge are characterized by ancient glacial landforms and ridge lakes (including karst ones), and there are waterfalls.

The ridge is located in a humid climate zone - the annual precipitation is up to 3000 mm (the highest value in Russia), the thickness of the snow cover reaches 10 m. The number of sunny days does not exceed 60-70 days a year.

The slopes of Achishkho are covered with broad-leaved, mainly beech, fir forests in the north, and mountain meadows on the tops.

The ridge is popular among hikers. There are dolmens.

Caucasian State Natural

biosphere reserve

The reserve is the legal successor of the Caucasian bison reserve, established on May 12, 1924, and is located in the Western Caucasus, on the border of the temperate and subtropical climatic zones. The total area of ​​the reserve is more than 280 thousand hectares, of which 177.3 thousand hectares are in the Krasnodar Territory.

On February 19, 1979, by decision of UNESCO, the Caucasian Nature Reserve was given biosphere status, and in January 2008 it was named after Kh. G. Shaposhnikov. In 1999, the territory of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve was included in the World Heritage List

Kuban hunting

In 1888, on behalf of the Grand Dukes Peter Nikolaevich and Georgiy Mikhailovich, about 80 thousand acres of land in the Greater Caucasus Range were leased from the forest dachas of the Ministry of State Property and the Kuban Regional Military Administration. An agreement was concluded with the Kuban Rada for the exclusive right of hunting in these territories for the grand dukes. Subsequently, the territory became known as the Grand Ducal Kuban Hunt.

A few years later, the princes stopped traveling to Kuban for health reasons, and then in 1892 they transferred the right to hunt to Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich, who began actively developing the territory.

Bison Reserve

In 1906, the expiring lease period for the Kuban hunting territory was extended for another three years, after which it was planned to divide these lands between the villages of the Kuban Cossacks. In 1909, Kh. G. Shaposhnikov, who worked as a forester of the Belorechensky forestry of the Kuban Army, sent a letter to the Russian Academy of Sciences justifying the need to reserve the territory leased from the Kuban Army. The main reason for creating the reserve was the protection of the endangered Caucasian bison. The letter also outlined the boundaries of the reserve. Based on this letter, Academician N. Nasonov made a report, and the Academy of Sciences created a commission. As a military forester, Shaposhnikov participated in her work to organize the reserve. However, for a number of reasons related to the division of land by the Kuban Cossacks, the matter did not progress significantly.

Repeated attempts to create a reserve were made in 1913 and 1916. Finally, in 1919, a positive decision was made.

With the establishment of Soviet power in the region, the issue of the reserve had to be resolved anew. Only in May 1924 was the state Caucasian bison reserve established.

Cross Pass - the highest point of the Georgian Military Road

DEFENSE OF THE CAUCASIAN RIDGE

Fighting on the passes.

In mid-August 1942, the 1st and 4th divisions of the 49th German Mountain Rifle Corps, concentrated in the area of ​​​​Nevinnomyssk and Cherkessk, began to move freely to the passes of the Main Caucasus Range, since there were no our troops in this direction, but 46 The I Army, which was entrusted with organizing the defense, did not even have time to approach the southern slopes of the passes. There were no engineering structures at the passes.

By August 14, the 1st German Mountain Rifle Division reached the Verkhnyaya Teberda, Zelenchukskaya, Storozhevaya areas, and the 4th German Mountain Rifle Division reached the Akhmetovskaya area. Strong groups of specially trained enemy climbers, who had experienced guides, forestalled our units and, from August 17 to October 9, occupied all the passes in the area from Mount Elbrus to the Umpyrsky Pass. In the Klukhor and Sanchar directions, the Nazis, having overcome the Main Caucasus Range, reached its southern slopes, moving forward 10-25 km. There was a threat of the capture of Sukhumi and the disruption of supplies along the communications route along the Black Sea coast.

On August 20, the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command demanded that the commander of the Transcaucasian Front, along with the creation of a strong defense in the main operational directions, immediately strengthen the defense of the Main Caucasian Ridge, especially the Georgian Military, Ossetian Military and Sukhumi Military roads. The headquarters ordered to blow up and fill up all passes and paths, mountain passes on which no defensive structures had been created, and to prepare the areas defended by the troops for explosion in case of withdrawal. It was proposed to appoint commandants on all roads and directions, giving them full responsibility for the defense and condition of the roads.

Following the instructions of the Headquarters, the command of the Transcaucasian Front began to deploy forces to stop the advance of the Nazi troops on the passes of the Main Caucasus Ridge.

In the Elbrus direction, units of the 1st German Mountain Rifle Division, taking advantage of the absence of our troops, on August 18 occupied the Khotyu-Tau and Chiper-Azau passes, the Krugozor and Shelter of Eleven tourist bases on the southern slopes of Mount Elbrus. Units of the 8th Motorized Regiment of the NKVD and the 63rd Cavalry Division that arrived here threw the enemy back from these passes to the “Shelter of Eleven”, where he was held until January 1943.

The Klukhorsky pass was covered by a company of the 815th regiment. On August 15, the enemy threw a regiment here. Unable to withstand the strong blow, the defenders of the pass began to retreat to the southern slopes, where two more companies were located. The fighting was fierce. Having learned about them on August 17, the command of the 46th Army sent two battalions and an NKVD detachment to help the units of the 816th Regiment, which, upon approaching the battle area on August 22, stopped the further advance of the Nazis. On September 8, enemy units were thrown back to the Klukhor Pass, where they remained until January 1943.

On September 5, the enemy regiment, after a concentrated air strike and a fire attack by artillery and mortars, began an attack on the Marukh Pass, which was defended by two battalions. After stubborn fighting, the defenders were forced to leave the pass on September 7. Further German advance here was stopped by arriving reinforcements, but it was not possible to reset them from the pass until January 1943. The Sanchar Pass was defended by one company and a combined detachment of the NKVD. The fascist German command sent a regiment against them on August 25. The Nazis managed to drive our units out of the pass and almost unhindered to reach the area, which is 25 km from Gudauta and Sukhumi. An urgently created Sanchar group of troops was sent to meet the enemy, consisting of one rifle regiment, two rifle battalions, two NKVD regiments and a detachment of cadets from the 1st Tbilisi Infantry School. On August 29, the group came into contact with German units, stopped them, and on August 6, with the support of aviation, went on the offensive.

Two days later, she captured the village of Pskhu, which served as the enemy’s main base on the southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range. Now the Nazis did not have a single settlement left in this area. By October 20, our troops in the Sanchar direction, with the support of the Black Sea Fleet aviation, pushed them back to the northern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range.

The role of the Black Sea Fleet aviation in the defeat of the enemy group in the Sanchar direction is enormous. DB-3, SB, Pe-2 and R-10 aircraft, based at the airfields of Gudauta and Babushery at a distance of 25-35 km from the front line, made 6-10 sorties daily to carry out bombing strikes on enemy troops, and on days of intense fighting - up to 40 sorties. In total, in September 1942, Black Sea Fleet aviation dropped about a thousand FAB-100s onto the Sancharsky and Marukhsky passes.

Thus, our troops, having almost no artillery and mortars, received the greatest and only support from naval aviation.

The fascist German command also tried to capture the Umpyrsky and Belorechensky passes. On August 28, the Nazis sent two reinforced battalions to the Umpyrsky Pass, which was defended by two companies. However, thanks to a well-organized defense and the brave actions of Soviet soldiers, numerous enemy attacks were repulsed. The Belorechensky Pass was stormed by an infantry regiment and several squadrons of enemy cavalry with artillery support. Thanks to the energetic actions of our forces and arriving reserves, the enemy was stopped and then thrown back far to the north.

So, by the actions of units of the 46th Army and the aviation of the Black Sea Fleet, the offensive of the German 49th Mountain Rifle Corps, specially prepared for combat operations in the mountains, was thwarted. By the end of October 1942, a stable defense of the Main Caucasus Ridge was created.

Anti-landing defense of the Poti naval base. In July - December, the defense of the Black Sea coast from the Soviet-Turkish border to Lazarevskaya was carried out by the forces of the Poti naval base together with the 46th Army of the Transcaucasian Front. In the second half of August, when Nazi troops approached the passes of the Main Caucasus Range, the 46th Army was redirected to repel this main danger; coastal defense became the sole task of the Poti naval base.

The composition of the base forces changed with the situation. The enemy intensified reconnaissance of the main fleet base and began bombing the base and ships. By the end of December, the base air defense area was replenished with a regiment and thus included three anti-aircraft regiments and a separate anti-aircraft artillery division. The base's rifle units also increased by one battalion and two platoons of Marines. But these forces were clearly not enough to organize a reliable defense of the coast, so it was built on the principle of creating separate resistance centers that covered the main directions. Between the nodes of resistance, blockages and abatis were built, separate machine-gun points were installed, and anti-personnel minefields were set up.

The strongest defense from land was created in the region of Poti and Batumi, where it was decided to equip four lines: forward, main, rear and internal. The forward line of defense was supposed to be 35 - 45 km from the base, the main line - 25 - 30 km, the rear line - 10 - 20 km from Poti and Batumi, the internal line - directly on the outskirts and in the depths of the vegetable gardens. To conduct street fighting, the construction of barricades and anti-tank obstacles was envisaged.

However, the planned engineering defensive structures were not built. The forward and main lines of defense were not equipped at all due to the lack of manpower, and on the rear line, work on the rear line was only 75% completed by October 25.

The entire land defense area of ​​Poti was divided into three sectors. The first sector was defended by a battalion of marines supported by eleven coastal artillery guns, the second sector by a coastal defense school and a border detachment (343 people and seven guns), the third sector by personnel of the 1st torpedo boat brigade and a border detachment (105 people and eight guns). ). There were about 500 people in the reserve of the commander of the Poti naval base. In addition, all sectors were supported by naval artillery.

In order to better use forces in the defense of the coast, a manual for the anti-landing defense of the Poti naval base was developed.

However, there were also significant shortcomings in the organization of coastal defense. The engineering structures created at the beginning of 1942, due to the long time frame for their construction, had fallen into disrepair by 30-40% and required extensive repairs. Coastal artillery was poorly prepared to repel the enemy from land. Batteries No. 716 and 881 had no shrapnel shells at all. Over 50% of the personnel of the 164th separate artillery battalion did not have rifles.

There were also major shortcomings in the organization of the air defense of the base, which were revealed during an enemy air raid on Poti on July 16. First of all, the surveillance and warning system was poorly developed. Thus, due to the location of patrol boats near the base, the command of the base air defense area did not have the opportunity to detect the enemy in time and raise fighter aircraft, and some anti-aircraft batteries were not even notified of the approach of enemy aircraft.

However, despite all these shortcomings, formations and units of the Poti naval base provided reliable basing for the fleet and created favorable conditions for the operations of units of the 46th Army on the passes of the Main Caucasus Ridge.

Conclusions on the actions of the Black Sea Fleet in the defense of bases and coasts

As a result of a five-month offensive in the second half of 1942, fascist German troops achieved significant successes. They captured the North Caucasus and the Taman Peninsula, reached the foothills of the Main Caucasus Range and the Terek River and captured the passes. The enemy managed to occupy economically important areas and create a difficult situation for our troops in the Caucasus, but he was unable to overcome the defenses of our troops and achieve strategic success.

During fierce defensive battles, Soviet troops and the Black Sea Fleet bled the enemy dry, stopped his advance in the foothills and at the turn of the Terek River, and thus thwarted Hitler’s plans to capture the entire Caucasus and the Soviet Black Sea Fleet.

The Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Military Flotilla, operationally subordinate to the command of the North Caucasus Front and then the Transcaucasian Front, closely interacting with these fronts, provided them with great assistance in the defense and defeat of the Nazi troops in the Caucasus. The Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Flotilla reliably covered the coastal flank of our ground forces, organizing an anti-landing defense of the Azov and Black Sea coasts, allocating for this purpose about 40 thousand people from marine units, coastal and anti-aircraft artillery units, 200 anti-aircraft guns, 150 coastal artillery guns, 250 warships, vessels and watercraft and up to 250 aircraft.

Units of the marine corps, coastal artillery and aviation operating on land showed resilience, high moral and political spirit, mass heroism and an unyielding will to defeat the enemy.

Although the anti-landing defense of the coast by the Black Sea Fleet was organized in accordance with the situation and fully justified itself, it should be admitted that it was poorly saturated with rifle units, which gave the enemy the opportunity to land troops on the Taman Peninsula on September 2, 1942 and attempt to land on the night of October 30 landing on the eastern shore of Tsemes Bay.

The experience of the defense of Novorossiysk and Tuapse showed that the delay in organizing forces for defense, the shallow depth of defense and the dispersion of forces led to significant losses in manpower and equipment and the loss of Novorossiysk, and the timely creation of the Tuapse defensive region made it possible to organize a deep, strong defense of the base from land and not allow the enemy into the defended area. The experience of base defense also showed that one of the main reasons for their rapid decline was the lack of reserves at the base command, which did not allow them to repel enemy attacks in a timely manner.

The experience of base defense confirmed the need to organize interaction and unite all forces under a single command. The best form of such an organization was a fully justified defensive area, divided into sectors and combat areas.

The heroic defense of the Caucasus was a good combat school for units of the Soviet Army and the Black Sea Fleet. In the course of it, they accumulated enormous combat experience and mastered the tactics of action in the mountains. Soviet troops were re-equipped with light weapons, rifle units were reinforced with engineering units, commanders mastered the art of command and control in difficult conditions, the rear organized supply for troops in mountainous conditions, using aviation and all types of transport, including pack transport.

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTO:

Team Nomads.

B.A. Garf. Bezengi Gorge. - Moscow: State Publishing House of Geographical Literature, 1952.
A.F. Naumov. Central Caucasus. — Moscow: “PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS”, 1967.

http://www.sk-greta.ru/

Bush I. A. Glaciers of the Western Caucasus. Notes of the Russian Geographical Society on general geography. T. XXXIII. No. 4, 1905,

Dictionary of modern geographical names / Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria, 2006.

Around Elbrus. Tourist route map (M. 1:100,000). Pyatigorsk: North-Kav. AGP. 1992. Roscartography 1992, 1999 (with a more detailed description)

http://www.anapacity.com/bitva-za-kavkaz/glavnyj-kavkazskiy-hrebet.html

Topographic map K-38-13. - GUGK USSR, 1984.

Wikipedia website.

Opryshko O. L. Sky-high front of the Elbrus region. - M.: Voenizdat, 1976. - 152 p. — (The heroic past of our Motherland). — 65,000 copies.

Beroev B. M. Elbrus region: Essay on nature. Chronicle of the conquest of Elbrus. Tourist routes. - M.: Profizdat, 1984. - 208 p. - (One hundred paths - one hundred roads). — 97,500 copies.

http://ii1.photocentra.ru/

http://photosight.ru/

Caucasus Mountains

The Caucasus Mountains are located on the isthmus between the Caspian and Black Seas. The Caucasus is separated from the East European Plain by the Kuma-Manych depression. The territory of the Caucasus can be divided into several parts: Ciscaucasia, Greater Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Only the Ciscaucasia and the northern part of the Greater Caucasus are located on the territory of the Russian Federation. The last two parts together are called the North Caucasus. However, for Russia this part of the territory is the southernmost. Here, along the crest of the Main Ridge, lies the state border of the Russian Federation, beyond which lie Georgia and Azerbaijan. The entire system of the Caucasus ridge occupies an area of ​​approximately 2600 m2, with its northern slope occupying about 1450 m2, while the southern slope is only about 1150 m2.

The North Caucasus Mountains are relatively young. Their relief was created by different tectonic structures. In the southern part there are folded block mountains and foothills of the Greater Caucasus. They were formed when deep trough zones were filled with sedimentary and volcanic rocks, which later underwent folding. Tectonic processes here were accompanied by significant bends, stretches, ruptures and fractures of the earth's layers. As a result, large amounts of magma poured onto the surface (this led to the formation of significant ore deposits). The uplifts that occurred here in the Neogene and Quaternary periods led to the elevation of the surface and the type of relief that exists today. The rise of the central part of the Greater Caucasus was accompanied by the subsidence of strata along the edges of the resulting ridge. Thus, the Terek-Caspian trough was formed in the east, and the Indal-Kuban trough in the west.

The Greater Caucasus is often presented as a single ridge. In fact, this is a whole system of various ridges, which can be divided into several parts. The Western Caucasus is located from the Black Sea coast to Mount Elbrus, then (from Elbrus to Kazbek) the Central Caucasus follows, and to the east from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea - the Eastern Caucasus. In addition, in the longitudinal direction two ridges can be distinguished: Vodorazdelny (sometimes called the main one) and Bokovaya. On the northern slope of the Caucasus there are the Skalisty and Pastbishchny ridges, as well as the Black Mountains. They were formed as a result of interlayering of layers composed of sedimentary rocks of different hardness. One slope of the ridge here is gentle, while the other ends quite abruptly. As you move away from the axial zone, the height of the mountain ranges decreases.

The chain of the Western Caucasus begins at the Taman Peninsula. At the very beginning, it’s more likely not even mountains, but hills. They begin to rise to the east. The highest parts of the North Caucasus are covered with snow caps and glaciers. The highest peaks of the Western Caucasus are Mount Fisht (2870 meters) and Oshten (2810 meters). The highest part of the Greater Caucasus mountain system is the Central Caucasus. Even some passes at this point reach a height of 3 thousand meters, and the lowest of them (Krestovy) lies at an altitude of 2380 meters. The highest peaks of the Caucasus are also located here. For example, the height of Mount Kazbek is 5033 meters, and the double-headed extinct volcano Elbrus is the highest peak in Russia.

The relief here is highly dissected: sharp ridges, steep slopes and rocky peaks predominate. The eastern part of the Greater Caucasus consists mainly of the numerous ridges of Dagestan (translated, the name of this region means “mountainous country”). There are complex branching ridges with steep slopes and deep canyon-like river valleys. However, the height of the peaks here is less than in the central part of the mountain system, but they still exceed a height of 4 thousand meters. The rise of the Caucasus Mountains continues in our time. Quite frequent earthquakes in this region of Russia are associated with this. To the north of the Central Caucasus, where the magma rising through cracks did not spill out to the surface, low, so-called island mountains formed. The largest of them are Beshtau (1400 meters) and Mashuk (993 meters). At their base there are numerous springs of mineral waters.

The so-called Ciscaucasia is occupied by the Kuban and Terek-Kuma lowlands. They are separated from each other by the Stavropol Upland, whose height is 700-800 meters. The Stavropol Upland is dissected by wide and deeply incised valleys, gullies and ravines. At the base of this area lies a young slab. Its structure consists of Neogene formations, covered with limestone deposits - loess and loess-like loams, and in the eastern part also marine sediments of the Quaternary period. The climate in this area is quite favorable. Quite high mountains serve as a good barrier to cold air penetrating here. The proximity of the long cooling sea also has an effect. The Greater Caucasus is the border between two climatic zones - subtropical and temperate. On Russian territory the climate is still moderate, but the above factors contribute to rather high temperatures.

Caucasus Mountains As a result, winters in the Ciscaucasia are quite warm (the average temperature in January is about -5°C). This is facilitated by warm air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean. On the Black Sea coast, temperatures rarely drop below zero (the average January temperature is 3°C). In mountainous areas the temperature is naturally lower. Thus, the average temperature on the plain in summer is about 25°C, and in the upper reaches of the mountains - 0°C. Precipitation falls into this area mainly due to cyclones arriving from the west, as a result of which its amount gradually decreases to the east.

Most precipitation falls on the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. Their number on the Kuban Plain is approximately 7 times lower. Glaciation has developed in the mountains of the North Caucasus, the area of ​​which ranks first among all regions of Russia. The rivers flowing here are fed by water formed by the melting of glaciers. The largest Caucasian rivers are the Kuban and Terek, as well as their numerous tributaries. Mountain rivers, as usual, are fast-flowing, and in their lower reaches there are wetlands overgrown with reeds and reeds.

The vast majority of the peaks included in the list of the highest mountains in Russia on the map belong to one mountain system - the Greater Caucasus. This huge mountain range is located between the Black and Caspian Seas. The southerners are barely catching up with three Kamchatka hills - Klyuchevskaya, Kamen and Ploskaya Blizhnaya (13th, 18th and 70th places) and two peaks of the Altai Mountains - Belukha and Tavan-Bogdo-Uul (19th and 67th place).

To prevent Russian climbers from getting bored with the monotony, the Mountaineering Federation decided to include in the conditions for receiving the most honorable mountaineering title the conquest of not only the eight highest mountains on the list, but also the assault on Belukha and Klyuchevskaya Sopka.

Shota Rustaveli Peak is one of the peaks that make up the so-called Bezengi Wall - a giant mountain range stretching for 13 km. In addition to the Shota Rustaveli peak, the wall is formed by Dzhangitau (fifth place in the ranking), Katyntau (ninth) and Shkhara (sixth).

9. Katyn-Tau – 4970 m

The Kabardino-Balkarians have a sad legend associated with the name of this mountain. The mountain peak Tetnuld (“white”), one of the most beautiful, invariably arousing the admiration of tourists for its whiteness, decided to leave his old wife, Katyn (“wife”), for the sake of his young one, Dzhanga (“new”, “young”). Perhaps Tetnuld was a climber - the height of Katyn does not reach 5 km, but Dzhangy, or Dzhangitau, ranks fifth in the list of the highest mountains in Russia.

8. Mizhirgi – 5025 m

The list of Russian “five thousand meters” begins with Mizhirga - the highest and most dangerous mountains in Russia, which every climber dreams of climbing. Mizhirgi, despite the modest eighth place in height, the mountain is very capricious and surpasses higher peaks in terms of difficulty.

7. Kazbek – 5034 m

This is one of the most beautiful peaks of the Greater Caucasus Range. Her image appears on many covers of travel magazines, photographs, postcards and stamps. A lonely white peak of a regular conical shape (Kazbek was once a volcano) stands out sharply against the background of green foothills. Unfortunately, due to the difficult geopolitical situation, ascents to Kazbek are no longer as frequent as they once were.

6. Shkhara – 5068 m

One of the most beloved peaks by climbers, and the highest mountain in the central part of the Caucasus range. You can climb it via a wide variety of routes, and several peaks will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding places from new points of view.

According to the results of recent measurements, Shkhara can move from sixth place to third - according to the latest data, its height is 5193.2 m. However, there is no doubt about which is the highest mountain in Russia - first place is ahead of all the others with a margin of almost half a kilometer.

5. Dzhangitau – 5085 m

Like Mizhirgi, Dzhangitau is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks. Just three years ago, an experienced climber fell from its slopes (with fatal results), and a couple of years before that, a climbing group had to be rescued by helicopter.

4. Pushkin Peak – 5100 m

Most often they prefer to climb Pushkin Peak from the south side. However, experienced rock climbers prefer the northern side - in addition to a slightly more difficult route, you can admire the enchanting beauty of the surrounding nature.

3. Koshtantau – 5152 m

Koshtantau opens the top three among the highest mountains in Russia. Sometimes she is merciful to climbers and gives them beautiful weather, making the ascent easy and enjoyable. However, this rarely happens; Most often, the capricious beauty prefers to dress up in an icy robe, which makes the ascent much more difficult.

The conquest of Costantau began with a tragedy - two English climbers and their Swiss guides died while trying to climb it. Since then, several routes have been laid up the mountain, but they all have increased difficulty - from 4B to 6A (for comparison: the lowest category is 1B, the highest is 6B, and category 6A is in second place, up to 6B).

2. Dykhtau – 5204 m

The poetic genius of the Balkar people decided to rest on the name Dykhtau. Translated from this language, the name simply means “steep mountain.” It's almost like a nickname.

The mountain looks harsh - the granite-gneiss rocks that make up Dykhtau are dark in color. And in contrast to the white snow and clouds (located at a lower altitude than the peak), they look especially gloomy.

The difficulty of climbing the mountain corresponds to its serious appearance - there are more than ten routes to the double peaks of Dykhtau, but even the easiest of them belongs to category 4A, above average.

1. The highest mountain in Russia – Elbrus, 5642 m

On the border between the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia is the Side Range of the Caucasus Mountains, where Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia, is located. Elbrus has two peaks - western and eastern; the difference between them is 21 m.

This is not an easy mountain; it is a legacy of those times when the young Caucasus Mountains were still fire-breathing. Elbrus is a huge volcano, fortunately, extinct a long time ago. Over the past tens of thousands of years, Elbrus has been covered with a shell of ice of enormous thickness - in some places it reaches 250 m, which is equal to the height of an eighty-story building.

Despite its terrifying height (Elbrus is considered the highest mountain not only in Russia, but also in Europe, and is also among the top ten), the mountain’s character is not evil and the path to the top has long been found. The first ascent of Elbrus took place in the first third of the 19th century. Since then, whoever has been there! People climbed not only on foot, but also on horses, motorcycles and cars. They carried ATVs and even 75-kilogram barbells. And since the early 1990s, regular competitions have been taking place in high-speed climbing of the snow giant. From the foot to the top of Elbrus the journey takes exactly 3 hours 28 minutes 41 seconds.

List of 80 highest mountain peaks in Russia

The table shows mountain peaks with a height of at least 4000 meters and located on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Here is a detailed map of the Caucasus Mountains with the names of cities and towns in Russian. Move the map while holding it with the left mouse button. You can move around the map by clicking on one of the four arrows in the upper left corner.

You can change the scale using the scale on the right side of the map or turning the mouse wheel.

In which country are the Caucasus Mountains located?

The Caucasus Mountains are located in Russia. This is a wonderful, beautiful place, with its own history and traditions. Coordinates of the Caucasus Mountains: northern latitude and eastern longitude (show on large map).

Virtual walk

The “man” figurine above the scale will help you take a virtual walk through the cities of the Caucasus Mountains. By clicking and holding the left mouse button, drag it to any place on the map and you will go for a walk, while inscriptions with the approximate address of the area will appear in the upper left corner. Select the direction of movement by clicking on the arrows in the center of the screen. The “Satellite” option at the top left allows you to see a relief image of the surface. In the “Map” mode you will have the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the roads of the Caucasus Mountains and the main attractions.

antiqus classics

Caspian mountains

Caspian mountains
• and gates (Greek Κασπία ὄρη, Latin Caspii monies).
• 1. The fanatical mountains between Armenia and Albania on the one hand and Media on the other (now Qaradagh, Siah-Koh, i.e. Black and Talysh Mountains). In a broad sense, this name refers to the entire chain of mountains running south of the river. Arak (from the Kotur River to the Caspian Sea). Here were the so-called.

Caspian Gate (Kaspiapili), a narrow mountain pass 8 Roman miles long and one chariot wide (now the Chamar pass between Narsa-Koh and Siah-Koh). This was the only way from Northwestern Asia to the northeastern part of the Persian state, because the Persians locked this passage with iron gates, which were guarded by guards (claustra Caspiarum).

The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas.

It is divided into two mountain systems: the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus.
The Caucasus is often divided into the Northern Caucasus and Transcaucasia, the border between which is drawn along the Main, or Watershed, ridge of the Greater Caucasus, which occupies a central position in the mountain system.

The most famous peaks are Mt. Elbrus (5642 m) and Mt.

Kazbek (5033 m) is covered with eternal snow and glaciers.

From the northern foot of the Greater Caucasus to the Kuma-Manych depression, the Ciscaucasia stretches with vast plains and hills. To the south of the Greater Caucasus are the Colchis and Kura-Araks lowlands, the Inner Kartli Plain and the Alazan-Avtoran Valley [Kura Depression, within which the Alazan-Avtoran Valley and the Kura-Araks Lowland are located]. In the southeastern part of the Caucasus are the Talysh Mountains (up to 2492 m high) with the adjacent Lenkoran Lowland. In the middle and west of the southern part of the Caucasus is the Transcaucasian Highlands, consisting of the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands (Aragats, 4090 m).
The Lesser Caucasus is connected to the Greater Caucasus by the Likhsky ridge, in the west it is separated from it by the Colchis Lowland, in the east by the Kura Depression. Length - about 600 km, height - up to 3724 m.

Mountains near Sochi - Aishkho (2391 m), Aibga (2509 m), Chigush (3238 m), Pseashkho and others.

Location of the Caucasus Mountains mountain system on the world map

(the boundaries of the mountain system are approximate)

Hotels in Adler from 600 rubles per day!

Caucasus Mountains or Caucasus- a mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas with an area of ​​~ 477488 m².

The Caucasus is divided into two mountain systems: the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, very often the mountain system is divided into the Ciscaucasia (North Caucasus), the Greater Caucasus and the Transcaucasus (South Caucasus). The state border of the Russian Federation with the countries of Transcaucasia runs along the crest of the Main Ridge.

Highest Peaks

The largest mountain peaks of the Caucasus Mountains (indicators from different sources may vary).

Climate

The climate of the Caucasus is warm and mild, with the exception of the highlands: at an altitude of 3800 m there is the border of “eternal ice”. In the mountains and foothills there is a large amount of precipitation.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation of the Caucasus is distinguished by its rich species composition and diversity: oriental beech, Caucasian hornbeam, Caucasian linden, noble chestnut, boxwood, cherry laurel, Pontine rhododendron, some types of oak and maple, wild persimmon, as well as subtropical tea bushes and citrus fruits grow here.

In the Caucasus there are brown Caucasian bears, lynxes, wildcats, foxes, badgers, martens, deer, roe deer, wild boars, bison, chamois, mountain goats (turs), small rodents (forest dormouse, vole). Birds: magpies, blackbirds, cuckoos, jays, wagtails, woodpeckers, owls, eagle owls, starlings, crows, goldfinches, kingfishers, tits, Caucasian grouse and mountain turkeys, golden eagles and lambs.

Population

More than 50 peoples live in the Caucasus (for example: Avars, Circassians, Chechens, Georgians, Lezgins, Karachais, etc.) which are designated as Caucasian peoples. They speak Caucasian, Indo-European, and Altai languages. Largest cities: Sochi, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, etc.

Tourism and rest

The Caucasus is visited for recreational purposes: there are many seaside resorts on the shores of the Black Sea, and the North Caucasus is popular for its balneological resorts.

Rivers of the Caucasus

Rivers originating in the Caucasus belong to the basins of the Black, Caspian and Azov seas.

• Bzyb
• Kodori
• Ingur (Inguri)
• Rioni
• Kuban
• Podkumok
• Araks
• Liakhva (Big Liakhvi)
• Samur
• Sulak
• Avar Koisu
• Andean Khoisu
• Terek
• Sunzha
• Argun
• Malka (Kura)
• Baksan
• Chegem
• Cherek

Countries and Regions

The following countries and regions are located in the Caucasus.

• Azerbaijan
• Armenia
• Georgia
• Russia: Adygea, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar Territory, North Ossetia-Alania, Stavropol Territory, Chechnya

In addition to these countries and regions, there are partially recognized republics in the Caucasus: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Largest cities of the Caucasus

• Vladikavkaz
• Gelendzhik
• Hot key
• Grozny
• Derbent
• Yerevan
• Essentuki
• Zheleznovodsk
• Zugdidi
• Kislovodsk
• Kutaisi
• Krasnodar
• Maykop
• Makhachkala
• Mineral water
• Nazran
• Nalchik
• Novorossiysk
• Pyatigorsk
• Stavropol
• Stepanakert
• Sukhum
• Tbilisi
• Tuapse
• Tskhinvali
• Cherkessk

Cheap flights to Sochi from 3000 rubles.

Where is it located and how to get there

Address: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia

Amazingly beautiful mountain landscapes can be seen in these wonderful and uniquely beautiful places. The most impressive peaks are the Greater Caucasus Range. This is the territory of the highest and largest mountains in the Caucasus region.

The Lesser Caucasus and the valleys (Riono-Kura Depression) form the Transcaucasus complex.

Caucasus: general description

The Caucasus is located between the Caspian and Black Seas in southwest Asia.

This region includes the mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, as well as the depression between them called the Riono-Kura depression, the coasts of the Black Sea and Caspian seas, the Stavropol upland, a small part of the Caspian lowland (Dagestan) and the Kubano-Priazovsky lowland to the left bank of the Don River area of ​​its mouth.

The Greater Caucasus Mountains are 1,500 kilometers long, and Elbrus is the highest peak. The length of the Lesser Caucasus mountains is 750 km.

Below we will take a closer look at the Caucasus Range.

Geographical position

In the western part, the Caucasus borders on the Black and Azov seas, in the east - on the Caspian. In the north lies the East European Plain, and the border between it and the Caucasian foothills repeats the latter, which runs along the river. Kuma, the bottom of the Kuma-Manych depression, along the Manych and Vostochny Manych rivers, and then along the left bank of the Don.

The southern border of the Caucasus is the Araks River, beyond which are the Armenian and Iranian Plateaus, and the river. Chorokh. And already across the river the peninsulas of Asia Minor begin.

Caucasus Range: description

The most daring people and climbers have long chosen the Caucasus mountain range, which attracts extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world.

The most important Caucasian ridge divides the entire Caucasus into 2 parts: Transcaucasia and Northern Caucasus. This mountain range stretches from the Black Sea to the shores of the Caspian.

The length of the Caucasus Range is more than 1200 kilometers.

The site, located on the territory of the reserve, represents the highest mountain ranges of the Western Caucasus. Moreover, the heights here are very diverse. Their elevations vary from 260 to more than 3360 meters above sea level.

The wonderful combination of a light, mild climate and amazing scenery makes this place ideal for an active tourist holiday at any time of the year.

The Main Caucasus Range on Sochi territory has the largest peaks: Fisht, Khuko, Lysaya, Venets, Grachev, Pseashkho, Chugush, Malaya Chura and Assara.

Composition of the rocks of the ridge: limestones and marls. There used to be an ocean floor here. Throughout the huge massif one can observe strongly pronounced folding with numerous glaciers, turbulent rivers and mountain lakes.

About the height of the Caucasus ridge

The peaks of the Caucasus Range are numerous and quite varied in height.

Elbrus is the highest point in the Caucasus, which represents the highest peak not only in Russia, but also in Europe. The location of the mountain is such that a variety of nationalities live around it, giving it their own unique names: Oshkhomakho, Alberis, Yalbuz and Mingitau.

The most important mountain in the Caucasus ranks fifth on Earth among mountains formed in a similar way (as a result of a volcanic eruption).

The height of the most gigantic peak in Russia is five kilometers, six hundred and forty-two meters.

More details about the highest peak of the Caucasus

The highest altitude of the Caucasus range is Russia. It looks like two cones, between which (a distance of 3 km from each other) at an altitude of 5200 meters there is a saddle. The highest of them, as already noted, has a height of 5642 meters, the smaller one - 5621 m.

Like all peaks of volcanic origin, Elbrus consists of 2 parts: a 700-meter pedestal made of rocks and a bulk cone (1942 meters) - the result of a volcanic eruption.

The peak is covered with snow starting at an altitude of approximately 3500 meters. In addition, there are glaciers, the most famous of which are Small and Big Azau and Terskop.

The temperature at the highest point of Elbrus is -14 °C. Precipitation here almost always falls in the form of snow and therefore the glaciers do not melt. Due to the good visibility of the peaks of Elbrus from different distant places and at different times of the year, this mountain also has an interesting name - Little Antarctica.

It should be noted that the eastern peak was first conquered by climbers in 1829, and the western peak in 1874.

Glaciers located on the top of Elbrus feed the Kuban, Malka and Baksan rivers.

Central Caucasus: ridges, parameters

Geographically, the Central Caucasus is part of the Greater Caucasus, located between the Elbrus and Kazbek mountains (in the west and in the east). In this section, the length of the Main Caucasian Ridge is 190 kilometers, and if we take into account the meanders, about 260 km.

The border of the Russian state passes through the territory of the Central Caucasus. Behind it are South Ossetia and Georgia.

22 kilometers west of Kazbek (eastern part of the Central Caucasus), the Russian border shifts slightly to the north and runs to Kazbek, skirting the Georgian-owned Terek River valley (upper part).

On the territory of the Central Caucasus there are 5 parallel ridges (oriented along latitudes):

1. Main Caucasus Range (height up to 5203 m, Mount Shkhara).
2. Bokovoy Ridge (height up to 5642 meters, Mount Elbrus).
3. Rocky Ridge (up to 3646 meters high, Mount Karakaya).
4. Pastbishchny Ridge (up to 1541 meters).
5. Lesisty Ridge (height 900 meters).

Tourists and climbers mainly visit and climb the first three ridges.

Northern and Southern Caucasus

The Greater Caucasus, as a geographical object, originates from the Taman Peninsula, and it ends in the region. All subjects of the Russian Federation and countries located in this region belong to the Caucasus. However, in terms of the location of the territories of the constituent entities of Russia, there is a certain division into two parts:

• The Northern Caucasus includes the Krasnodar Territory and Stavropol Territory, North Ossetia, Rostov Region, Chechnya, the Republic of Adygea, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia.
• South Caucasus (or Transcaucasia) - Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan.

Elbrus region

Geographically, the Elbrus region is the westernmost section of the Central Caucasus. Its territory covers the upper reaches of the Baksan River with its tributaries, the area north of Elbrus and the western spurs of Mount Elbrus to the right bank of the Kuban. The largest peak in this area is the famous Elbrus, located to the north and located in the Side Range. The second highest peak is (4700 meters).

The Elbrus region is famous for its large number of peaks with steep ridges and rocky walls.

The largest glaciers are concentrated in the huge Elbrus glacier complex, numbering 23 glaciers (total area - 122.6 sq. km).

Location of states in the Caucasus

1. The Russian Federation occupies part of the territory of the Greater Caucasus and its foothills from the Watershed and Main Caucasus ranges to the north. 10% of the country's total population lives in the North Caucasus.
2. Abkhazia also has territories that are parts of the Greater Caucasus: the region from the Kodori to Gagra ranges, the Black Sea coast between the river. Psou and Enguri, and north of Enguri a small part of the Colchis lowland.
3. South Ossetia is located in the central region of the Greater Caucasus. The beginning of the territory is the Main Caucasian Ridge. The territory extends in a southern direction from it, between the Rachinsky, Suramsky and Lomissky ridges, all the way to the valley of the Kura River.
4. Georgia has the most fertile and populated parts of the country in the valleys and lowlands between the Lesser and Greater Caucasus ranges west of the Kakheti range. The most mountainous areas of the country are Svaneti, a section of the Greater Caucasus between the Kodori and Suram ridges. The Georgian territory of the Lesser Caucasus is represented by the Meskheti, Samsara and Trialeti ranges. It turns out that all of Georgia is within the Caucasus.
5. Azerbaijan is located between the Watershed Range in the north and the Araks and Kura rivers in the south, and between the Lesser Caucasus and the Kakheti Range and the Caspian Sea. And almost all of Azerbaijan (the Mugan Plain and the Talysh Mountains belong to the Iranian Plateau) is located in the Caucasus.
6. Armenia has part of the territory of the Lesser Caucasus (just east of the Akhuryan River, which is a tributary of the Araks).
7. Turkey occupies the southwestern section of the Lesser Caucasus, representing the 4 eastern provinces of this country: Ardahan, Kars, partially Erzurum and Artvin.

The Caucasus Mountains are both beautiful and dangerous. According to some scientists, there is a possibility that in the next hundred years the volcano (Mount Elbrus) may awaken. And this is fraught with catastrophic consequences for nearby regions (Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria).

But, whatever it is, the conclusion follows that there is nothing more beautiful than the mountains. It is impossible to describe all the magnificent nature of this fabulous mountainous country. To experience all this, you should visit these heavenly places of amazing beauty. They are viewed especially impressively from the heights of the Caucasus Mountains.