What is Caucasus?
The '''Caucasus''' or '''Caucasia''' is a region spanning [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] bordered on the north by [[Russia]], on the east by the [[Caspian Sea]], on the south by [[Iran]], on the southwest by [[Turkey]], and on the west by the [[Black Sea]]. Caucasia includes the [[Caucasus Mountains]] and surrounding lowlands. [[File:Caucasus countries.png|thumb|Map of Caucasus Countries]] The [[Caucasus Mountains]] are commonly recognised as a natural border between [[Asia]] and [[Europe]]. Countries in the Caucasus are considered to be in one or both [[continent]]s, with Armenia and Azerbaijan considered [[Transcontinental country|transcontinental]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] largely considered [[Europe|European]]. The northern portion of the Caucasus is known as the [[North Caucasus|Ciscaucasus]] and the southern portion as the [[Transcaucasus]]. The highest peak in the Caucasus is [[Mount Elbrus]] (5,642 m) which, in the western Ciscaucasus in Russia, is generally considered the highest point in Europe. == List of countries == ===Sovereign states=== *{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] *{{flagicon|Armenia}} [[Armenia]] *{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Azerbaijan]] ===Disputed territories=== *{{flagicon|Abkhazia}} [[Abkhazia]] - claimed but not controlled by [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] *{{flagicon|South Ossetia}} [[South Ossetia]] - claimed but not controlled by [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] === Autonomous republics of the Russian Federation === *{{flagicon|Dagestan}} [[Dagestan]] *{{flagicon|Chechnya}} [[Chechnya]] *{{flagicon|Kabardino-Balkaria}} [[Kabardino-Balkaria]] *{{flagicon image|Ossetiedunord.png}} [[North Ossetia-Alania]] == Myths and Legends == The Biblical [[Mount Ararat]] where [[Noah's Ark]] landed is known as the landmark of the ancient Armenian realm. The peak of Ararat is seasonally capped with snow. In Greek mythology, the Caucasus or Kaukasos was one of the pillars supporting the world. [[Prometheus]] was chained there by [[Zeus]]. The Roman poet [[Ovid]] placed Cauc