The most mountain in the Caucasus. The Caucasus is the highest mountains in Russia

Geographical position. On the huge isthmus between the Black and Caspian seas, from the Taman to the Absheron peninsula, there are majestic mountains Greater Caucasus.

North Caucasus- this is the southernmost part Russian territory. The border runs along the ridges of the Main, or Watershed, Caucasian Range Russian Federation with the countries of Transcaucasia.

The Caucasus is separated from the Russian Plain by the Kuma-Manych depression, on the site of which in the Middle Quaternary there was a sea strait.

The North Caucasus is an area located on the border of the temperate and subtropical zones.

The epithet “the best” is often applied to the nature of this territory. Latitudinal zonality is replaced here by vertical zonality. For a resident of the plains, the Caucasus Mountains are a vivid example of the “multi-storey™” of nature.

Remember where it is located and what the extreme one is called southern point Russia.

Features of nature North Caucasus . The Caucasus is a young mountain structure formed during the period of Alpine folding. The Caucasus includes: Ciscaucasia, Greater Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Only the Ciscaucasia and the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus belong to Russia.

Rice. 92. Orographic scheme of the Caucasus

The Greater Caucasus is often presented as a single ridge. In fact, it is a system of mountain ranges. From the Black Sea coast to Mount Elbrus is the Western Caucasus, from Elbrus to Kazbek is the Central Caucasus, east of Kazbek to the Caspian Sea is the Eastern Caucasus. In the longitudinal direction, an axial zone is distinguished, occupied by the Vodorazdelny (Main) and Bokovy ridges.

The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus form the Skalisty and Pastbishchny ridges. They have a cuesta structure - these are ridges in which one slope is gentle and the other is steep. The reason for the formation of a quest is the interlayering of layers composed of rocks of different hardness.

The chains of the Western Caucasus begin near the Taman Peninsula. At first, these are not even mountains, but hills with soft outlines. They increase when moving to the east. Mountains Fisht (2867 m) and Oshten (2808 m) - the highest parts of the Western Caucasus - are covered with snowfields and glaciers.

The highest and grandest part of the whole mountain system- Central Caucasus. Here even the passes reach a height of 3000 m, only one pass - Krestovy on Georgian Military Road- lies at an altitude of 2379 m.

The highest peaks are located in the Central Caucasus - the double-headed Elbrus, dormant volcano, the highest peak in Russia (5642 m), and Kazbek (5033 m).

The eastern part of the Greater Caucasus is mainly the numerous ridges of mountainous Dagestan (translated as the Country of Mountains).

Rice. 93. Mount Elbrus

Various tectonic structures took part in the structure of the North Caucasus. In the south there are folded block mountains and foothills of the Greater Caucasus. It is part of the alpine geosynclinal zone.

Oscillations of the earth's crust were accompanied by bending of the earth's layers, their stretching, faults, and ruptures. Along the cracks formed with great depths Magma poured onto the surface, which led to the formation of numerous ore deposits.

Uplifts in recent geological periods - Neogene and Quaternary - turned the Greater Caucasus into a high-mountainous country. The rise in the axial part of the Greater Caucasus was accompanied by an intense subsidence of earth layers along the edges of the emerging mountain range. This led to the formation of foothill troughs: in the west of the Indolo-Kuban and in the east of the Terek-Caspian.

The complex history of the geological development of the region is the reason for the richness of the subsoil of the Caucasus in various minerals. The main wealth of the Ciscaucasia is oil and gas deposits. In the central part of the Greater Caucasus, polymetallic ores, tungsten, copper, mercury, and molybdenum are mined.

In the mountains and foothills of the North Caucasus there is a lot of open mineral springs, near which resorts were created that have long since gained worldwide fame - Kislovodsk, Mineral water, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, Matsesta. The sources are varied in chemical composition, temperature and are extremely useful.

Rice. 94. Geological structure North Caucasus

The geographical location of the North Caucasus in the south of the temperate zone determines its mild, warm climate, transitional from temperate to subtropical. The parallel of 45° N runs here. sh., that is, this territory is equidistant from both the equator and the pole. This situation determines the amount of solar heat received: in summer 17-18 kcal per square centimeter, which is 1.5 times more than the average European part of Russia receives. With the exception of the highlands, the climate in the North Caucasus is mild, warm, on the plains average temperature July everywhere exceeds 20°C, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10 to +6°C, and winter lasts only two to three months. In the North Caucasus is the city of Sochi, which has the warmest winter in Russia with a January temperature of +6.1°C.

Using the map, determine whether in the foothills of the North Caucasus there are any obstacles to the path of arctic or tropical air masses. What atmospheric fronts pass near this area? Analyze on maps how precipitation is distributed in the North Caucasus, explain the reasons for this distribution.

The abundance of heat and light allows the vegetation of the North Caucasus to develop in the north of the region for seven months, in the Ciscaucasia - eight, and in Black Sea coast, south of Gelendzhik - up to 11 months. This means that with the appropriate selection of crops, you can get two harvests a year.

The North Caucasus is distinguished by a very complex circulation of various air masses. Various air masses can penetrate this area.

The main source of moisture for the North Caucasus is the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the western regions of the North Caucasus are different big amount precipitation. Annual precipitation in the past mountainous areas in the west it is 380-520 mm, and in the east, in the Caspian region, it is 220-250 mm. Therefore, in the east of the region there are often droughts and hot winds. At the same time, they are often accompanied by dusty, or black, storms. Storms occur in the spring, when the top layers of parched soil, still loosely held together by newly emerged plants, are blown away by strong winds. Dust rises in clouds into the air, obscuring the sky and the sun.

Measures to combat black storms include properly planned forest shelterbelts and advanced agricultural technology. However, until now, due to black storms, several tens of thousands of hectares have to be reseeded (re-seeded), from which the most fertile layer of soil is blown away during dust storms.

Highland climate very different from the plains and foothills. The first main difference is that much more precipitation falls in the mountains: at an altitude of 2000 m - 2500-2600 mm per year. This is due to the fact that mountains trap air masses and force them to rise. At the same time, the air cools and gives up its moisture.

The second difference in the climate of the highlands is the decrease in the duration of the warm season due to the decrease in air temperature with height. Already at an altitude of 2700 m on the northern slopes and at an altitude of 3800 m in the Central Caucasus there is a snow line, or border “ eternal ice" At altitudes above 4000 m, even in July, positive temperatures are very rare.

Remember by what amount the air temperature decreases when rising for every 100 m. Calculate how much the air cools when rising to a height of 4000 m, if its temperature at the surface of the earth is +20 ° C. What happens to the moisture in the air?

In the mountains of the Western Caucasus, due to the abundance of precipitation during the winter, a four to five meter layer of snow accumulates, and in mountain valleys where it is blown away by the wind - up to 10-12 m. The abundance of snow in winter leads to the formation of avalanches. Sometimes one awkward movement, even a sharp sound, is enough for a thousand-ton mass of snow to fly down a steep ledge, destroying everything in its path.

Explain why there are practically no avalanches in the mountains of the Eastern Caucasus.

Think about what differences will be observed in the change in altitudinal zones on the western and eastern slopes.

The third difference of the high-mountain climate is its amazing diversity from place to place due to the height of the mountains, slope exposure, proximity or distance from the sea.

The fourth difference is the uniqueness of atmospheric circulation. Cooled air from the highlands rushes down through relatively narrow intermountain valleys. When descending for every 100 m, the air warms up by about 1°C. Descending from an altitude of 2500 m, it heats up by 25°C and becomes warm, even hot. This is how a local wind is formed - the foehn. Hairdryers are especially frequent in the spring, when the intensity of the general circulation of air masses sharply increases. Unlike a foehn, when masses of dense cold air invade, bora is formed (from the Greek boreas - north, North wind), strong cold downward wind. Flowing through low ridges into an area with warmer rarefied air, it heats up relatively little and “falls” at a high speed along the leeward slope. Bora is observed mainly in winter, where the mountain range borders the sea or a large body of water. The Novorossiysk forest is widely known (Fig. 95). And yet, the leading factor in climate formation in the mountains, which greatly influences all other components of nature, is altitude, leading to vertical zonation of both climate and natural zones.

Rice. 95. Scheme of formation of the Novorossiysk forest

The rivers of the North Caucasus are numerous and, like the relief and climate, are clearly divided into lowland and mountainous. There are especially numerous turbulent mountain rivers, the main source of food for which is snow and glaciers during the melting period. Most large rivers- Kuban and Terek with their numerous tributaries, as well as the Bolshoy Yegorlyk and Kalaus, which originate on the Stavropol Upland. In the lower reaches of the Kuban and Terek there are floodplains - vast wetlands covered with reeds and reeds.

Rice. 96. Altitudinal zone of the Greater Caucasus

The wealth of the Caucasus is its fertile soils. In the western part of Ciscaucasia, chernozems predominate, and in the eastern, drier part, chestnut soils predominate. The soils of the Black Sea coast are intensively used for gardens, berry fields, and vineyards. The world's northernmost tea plantations are located in the Sochi region.

In the Greater Caucasus Mountains, altitudinal zonation is clearly expressed. The lower belt is occupied by broad-leaved forests with a predominance of oak. Above are beech forests, which with height transform first into mixed and then into spruce-fir forests. The upper border of the forest is at an altitude of 2000-2200 m. Behind it, on mountain meadow soils, there are lush subalpine meadows with thickets of Caucasian rhododendron. They pass into short-grass alpine meadows, followed by the highest mountain belt of snowfields and glaciers.

Questions and tasks

  1. Using the example of the North Caucasus, show the impact geographical location territory on the features of its nature.
  2. Tell us about the formation of the modern relief of the Greater Caucasus.
  3. On contour map indicate the main geographical features region, mineral deposits.
  4. Describe the climate of the Greater Caucasus, explain how the climate of the foothills differs from the high-mountain regions.

The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system between the Black, Azov and Caspian seas. The etymology of the name has not been established.

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 Greater Caucasus extends more than 1,100 km from northwest to southeast, from the Anapa region and the Taman Peninsula to the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian coast, near Baku. The Greater Caucasus reaches its maximum width in the area of ​​the Elbrus meridian (up to 180 km). In the axial part is the Main Caucasus (or Watershed) Ridge, to the north of which a number of parallel ridges extend ( mountain ranges), including a monoclinal (cuesta) character (see Greater Caucasus). The southern slope of the Greater Caucasus mostly consists of en echelon ridges adjacent to the Main Caucasus Range. Traditionally, the Greater Caucasus is divided into 3 parts: Western Caucasus (from the Black Sea to Elbrus), Central Caucasus (from Elbrus to Kazbek) and Eastern Caucasus (from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea).

Countries and Regions

  1. South Ossetia
  2. Abkhazia
  3. Russia:
  • Adygea
  • Dagestan
  • Ingushetia
  • Kabardino-Balkaria
  • Karachay-Cherkessia
  • Krasnodar region
  • North Ossetia Alania
  • Stavropol region
  • Chechnya

Cities of the Caucasus

  • Adygeisk
  • Alagir
  • Argun
  • Baksan
  • Buynaksk
  • Vladikavkaz
  • Gagra
  • Gelendzhik
  • Grozny
  • Gudauta
  • Gudermes
  • Dagestan lights
  • Derbent
  • Dusheti
  • Essentuki
  • Zheleznovodsk
  • Zugdidi
  • Izberbash
  • Karabulak
  • Karachaevsk
  • Kaspiysk
  • Kvaysa
  • Kizilyurt
  • Kizlyar
  • Kislovodsk
  • Kutaisi
  • Leningor
  • Magas
  • Maykop
  • Malgobek
  • Makhachkala
  • Mineral water
  • Nazran
  • Nalchik
  • Nartkala
  • Nevinnomyssk
  • Novorossiysk
  • Ochamchira
  • Chill
  • Pyatigorsk
  • Stavropol
  • Stepanakert
  • Sukhum
  • Urus-Martan
  • Tbilisi
  • Terek
  • Tuapse
  • Tyrnyauz
  • Khasavyurt
  • Tkuarchal
  • Tskhinvali
  • Cherkessk
  • Yuzhno-Sukhokumsk

Climate

The climate in the Caucasus varies both vertically (altitude) and horizontally (latitude and location). Temperatures generally decrease with elevation. The average annual temperature in Sukhum, Abkhazia at sea level is 15 degrees Celsius, and on the mountain slopes. Kazbek is at an altitude of 3700 m, the average annual air temperature drops to −6.1 degrees Celsius. On the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus Range it is 3 degrees Celsius colder than on the southern slopes. In the high mountainous regions of the Lesser Caucasus in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, there is a sharp contrast in temperatures between summer and winter due to a more continental climate.

Precipitation increases from east to west in most areas. Altitude plays an important role: the Caucasus and mountains usually receive more rainfall than lowland areas. The northeastern regions (Dagestan) and the southern part of the Lesser Caucasus are dry. The absolute minimum annual precipitation is 250 mm in the northeastern part of the Caspian lowland. West Side The Caucasus is characterized by high rainfall. On southern slope The Greater Caucasus Range has more precipitation than on the northern slopes. Annual precipitation in the western part of the Caucasus ranges from 1000 to 4000 mm, while in the Eastern and Northern Caucasus (Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ossetia, Kakheti, Kartli, etc.) precipitation ranges from 600 to 1800 mm . The absolute maximum annual precipitation is 4100 mm in the region of Meskheti and Adjara. Precipitation levels in the Lesser Caucasus (southern Georgia, Armenia, western Azerbaijan), not including Meskheti, vary from 300 to 800 mm per year.

The Caucasus is known for its high snowfall, although many regions that are not located along windward slopes do not receive much snow. This is especially true for the Lesser Caucasus, which is somewhat isolated from the influence of humidity coming from the Black Sea and receives significantly less precipitation (in the form of snow) than the Greater Caucasus Mountains. On average, in winter the snow cover in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains ranges from 10 to 30 cm. Heavy snowfalls are recorded in the Greater Caucasus Mountains (in particular, on the southwestern slope). Avalanches are common from November to April.

Snow cover in some regions (Svaneti, in the northern part of Abkhazia) can reach 5 meters. The Achishkho region is the snowiest place in the Caucasus, with snow cover reaching a depth of 7 meters.

Landscape

The Caucasus Mountains have a varied landscape, which mainly varies vertically and depends on the distance from large bodies of water. The region contains biomes ranging from subtropical low-level swamps and glacial forests (Western and Central Caucasus) to high-mountain semi-deserts, steppes and alpine grasslands in the south (mainly Armenia and Azerbaijan).

On the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus for more low altitudes oak, hornbeam, maple and ash are common, and at higher elevations birch and pine forests. Some of the lowest areas and slopes are covered with steppes and grasslands.

The slopes of the Northwestern Greater Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, etc.) also contain spruce and fir forests. In the high mountain zone (about 2000 meters above sea level) forests predominate. Permafrost (glacier) usually begins at approximately 2800-3000 meters.

On the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, beech, oak, maple, hornbeam and ash are common. Beech forests tend to dominate at higher altitudes.

On the southwestern slope of the Greater Caucasus, oak, beech, chestnut, hornbeam and elm are common at lower altitudes, coniferous and mixed forests (spruce, fir and beech) are common at higher altitudes. Permafrost begins at an altitude of 3000-3500 m.

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    mountain range Achishkho is the closest ridge to Krasnaya Polyana and the most picturesque. The highest mountain, Achishkho, has a height of 2391 meters above sea level. Interesting fact o the name of the ridge: “Achishkho” translated from Abkhaz means “horse”. This is confirmed by the view from below, from Polyana to the mountain range. If you look closely, you can see the outline of a horse. The most popular walking route passes through a special place located on the side of a mountain, approximately 1800 meters above sea level, where there was a weather station from the 30s to the 90s.

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    The Aibga mountain range is located on the territory of Sochi national park, on the eastern side of Krasnaya Polyana. The ridge extends over 20 kilometers and consists of four highest points called peaks. The most popular peak mountain among tourists is the Black Pyramid, 2375 meters above sea level. It has an unusual shape, which makes it especially popular among climbers. In addition, from the top of the mountain there is a wonderful, breathtaking landscape. Having conquered this mountain, you will see the valley of the Mzymta River, the peaks of Chugush and Pseashkho.

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    One of the most beautiful resort places of our country is Dombay. The main attractions of this city are its scenic spots. The Mussa-Achitara ridge is considered the most picturesque ridge in this part of the Caucasus. In order to appreciate all the beauty surrounding the guests of the resort, you need to climb the mountainside along cable car. From this place there is a wonderful picturesque view of the peaks and glaciers of the Main Range, the Teberda and Gonachkhiri valleys.

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    Ine Peak is located near the place where the northern Dzhugurlutchat glacier originates. The name of the mountain is translated as “Needle”; the mountain got its name because of its pointed top; this unusual view for mountains attracts many tourists from all over the world. The top of Ine Peak is covered with snow all year round, and although it sheer cliffs relatively difficult to conquer, the top of Ine Peak is a fairly popular place among climbers. The height of the “needle” reaches 3455 meters, which is about 600 meters lower than the highest mountain of the Caucasus watershed ridge. It is best to view the mountain from the site of Mount Mussa-Achi-Tara; it is 400 meters lower than Ine Peak, but in exchange it can be reached by cable car.

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    In the North Caucasus, among the Dombay glade, somewhat east of the Back (Small) Belalakai mountain, there is a peak called Sufrudzhu. The height of the mountain is 3871 m. A wide depression divides the massif into two even parts - Southern and Northern. Both peaks are clearly visible from the Musat-Cheri ski resort. Southern part They called the Tooth Sufrudja, which translated means “Tiger Fang”. The massif stretches for 3600 m and acts as the main attraction of the mountainous Dombay.

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    Belalakai is a mountain located next to the village in Dombay, since the village is a resort. The mountain has become a symbol of this village and attracts a lot of tourists. Its height is 3861 meters. Although the height of this mountain is 200 meters lower than the highest in Abkhazia, it is no less a landmark. Belalakai owes its fame to quartz. Most of the mountain consists of dark soil rocks and dark granite, however, due to centuries-old geological processes, there are deposits of quartz on the mountain. It is this quartz that created the white stripes that adorn the top of this mountain; the white stripes of Belalakai are especially visible in late summer. Due to the beauty of the local landscapes, the mountain has been mentioned more than once in songs and poems.

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    Dzhuguturluchat is a relatively small massif in the Greater Caucasus Range. The mountain range rose to a height of 3921 meters, which is only 120 meters less than the highest high point on the Caucasus ridge. In the highest areas of the mountain range there are herds of aurochs; it was they who gave these mountains the name “Dzhugurluchat” - which translates as: “herd of aurochs”. mountain range originates from the Dombay plateau, however, the most Beautiful places open from a place called “Mussa-Achi-Tara”; this is where most tourists gather.

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    Cheget is one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus. Its height reaches about 3770 meters. This popular place for tourism among travelers. From the mountain you can enjoy the view of the highest peak in Europe – Elbrus. Another feature of Mount Cheget is the second line of the cable car, which passes through an area where there is snow that does not melt throughout the year.There are three lines of the cable car in total. The height of the first reaches about 1600 meters. It is one of the most popular for tourists who come to Cheget to enjoy the view of Elbrus.

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    This mountain, after Elbrus, is the second most popular among climbers. This is because it is also quite high - 4454 meters above sea level.

    There are several ways to get to the mountain: by cable car or on foot. Tourists who choose the first method can use the Cheget cable car to final destination, which houses small cafes. The second and more difficult path, which takes several hours, is from the Cheget meadow along a path already crowded with tourists. However, it is better to hit the road with an experienced guide, otherwise there is a chance of getting lost in the mountains.

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    The North Caucasus will captivate many tourists with its beauty and landscapes. Mount Semenov-Bashi, located in the east of the Caucasus Range, is no exception. In reality, it is just a protrusion 3602 m high above the ground. The mountain was named in honor of the Russian explorer P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. This man was a traveler and was the chairman of the Russian Geographical Society.

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    Mount Chotcha is part of the Caucasus range which is famous for its picturesque mountains and rocks. Chotcha, unlike other mountains, is divided into two parts, as if someone cut the mountain in the middle into two halves. Unlike mountains that have just a smaller mountain next to them, at first glance you can see that the mountain has one base on which there are two rocks. The rock in the foreground is lower than the back one; it is 3637 meters high, which is 400 meters lower than the highest mountain of the Caucasus range. The second rock is only three meters higher than the first, it is 3640 meters above sea level.

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    Mount Ertsog is on the list of one of the most visited places in the Caucasus range. The Alibek River flows at the foot of the mountain; in addition to the mountain itself, this place has a very beautiful lowland. In the gorge where the river flows, a massive slope descends; it becomes especially beautiful in the spring, when the sun illuminates the slope full of bright green vegetation. Mount Erzog is part of the Teberdinsky ridge; the ridge itself encircles a lowland with a river and makes a very strong impression on tourists who visit it.

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    Mount Sulokhat is located in the Dombay region and is one of the largest points of the Caucasian watershed ridge. The height of the mountain is 3439 meters, which is about 600 meters lower than the big mountains on the Caucasus ridge. Mount Sulohat is surrounded by many legends, the most popular about the origin of the name of the mountain. In ancient times, the foot of the mountain was inhabited by the Alan tribe. In this tribe there lived a girl named Sulohat, she was of extraordinary beauty and courage and was the daughter of the leader of the tribe.

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. On the territory of the Russian Federation there are only Ciscaucasia and Northern part Greater Caucasus. The last two parts are collectively 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 Western Caucasus chain begins at 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 most high peak Russia.

The relief here is highly dissected: sharp ridges, steep slopes and rocky peaks predominate. Eastern part The Greater Caucasus consists mainly of the numerous ranges of Dagestan (translated, the name of this region means “ Mountain 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. Lifting 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. Enough 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 coming from outside Atlantic Ocean warm air masses. 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 fleeting, and in their lower reaches there are wetlands overgrown with reeds and reeds.

 

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