Caucasus Mountains, mountain range, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and southwest Russia, considered a boundary between Europe and Asia. The range extends for about 1200 km (about 750 mi) from the Abşeron Peninsula on the southwestern shore of the Caspian Sea to the mouth of the Kuban’ River on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea. The western region is drained by the Kuban’ River and the eastern portion by the Kura River. Of the two principal chains within the Caucasus, the most northerly range has a number of peaks higher than about 4570 m (15,000 ft) above sea level. El’brus, which has an altitude of 5642 m (18,510 ft), is the highest peak in Europe. Other notable peaks include Dykh-Tau, 5,204 m (17,073 ft); Koshtan-Tau, 5,144 m (16,876 ft); and Kazbek, 5,037 m (16,526 ft). The highest peaks of the western chain are about 3660 m (12,000 ft) above sea level. Geologically, the Caucasus Mountains belong to a system that extends from southeastern Europe into Asia. The mountains are composed of granite and crystalline rock. Some volcanic formations and many glaciers are found throughout the range.

The uplifting of the northern chain was begun during the Jurassic period. The western chain dates from the Tertiary period. Of the few practicable routes through the range, one of the most important is a Georgian military highway from Vladikavkaz, Russia, on the northern side, to Tbilisi, Georgia, on the southern side. The chief minerals of the Caucasus Mountains are coal, copper, lead, manganese, and oil.