Caucasus

Caucasia is an often articulated mountainous country on the territory of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. It is situated between the Azov and the Black Sea in the west, the Caspian Sea to the east, the Manytsch lowland, and in the south it extends to the Kars - Ardahan Plateau ( Northeast Turkey).

The term is derived from the Caucasus Mountains, which dominates the whole area. Historically, there were the ancient Colchis countries, Lazika, Iberia, Armenia and Albania. 1882 The Russian military administration was extended in the Caucasus region to the General Caucasus whose boundaries were transferred to the geographical term.

The countries of Transcaucasia are often seen for historical and cultural reasons, as part of Europe, even though they clearly belong geographically to Asia.

The area is rich in mineral resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, iron, manganese, copper, lead and zinc ore, building materials and mineral springs. It has large hydro-energetic reserves, recreational and tourist centers. At the time of Soviet Union Caucasus formed economically the North Caucasus and the Transcaucasian business district.