The highest peaks of the mountains of the Caucasus. Main Caucasian Range: description, parameters, peaks. Peaks in the lintel between GKh and Elbrus

Russia is a huge country in terms of territory. It is not surprising that it has all the terrain that is found in nature. Among plains and steppes special place occupy mountain ranges and tops. They attract travelers and researchers, scientists and tourists, archaeologists and climbers. What mountains are in Russia? What you should pay attention to?

In contact with

Origin

Mountain regions are formed through complex processes. In the crust of the earth, tectonic crushing, faults and rock breaks occur. They are carried out continuously during the entire existence of the planet, in ancient time eras, such as the Paleozoic, Mesozoic or Cenozoic. Those who are in the Far East, in Kamchatka and the Kuriles are considered young. Seismic activity and volcanoes erupt frequently in these areas.

In the European part of Russia there is a large plain, which has geographical boundary in the east as . These are unique natural sculptures that cause national pride.

Interesting! Only in the Urals nature reserve protecting mineralogy. In the Ilmensky place there is a huge variety of minerals, unique and amazing in their structure and structure.

There are many in the Urals tourist bases, ski resorts are located on them. Climbers conquer these majestic elevations.

Variants of the highlands of Russia

Baikal and Transbaikalia;
Altai;
Sayans;
ridges Verkhoyansk and Stanovoy;
Chersky ridge.

Each of the districts is interesting and beautiful, the names of the mountains in their composition are unique and owe their origin to the peoples who inhabit the nearby territories. These lands beckon with harsh conditions, tests for the body and spirit. Altai is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. But the Chersky ridge is on the map, but so far little has been studied, but experts suggest that it will also become an attractive place for travelers.

Diversity of territories

The Far East is a region consisting mainly of mountainous terrain. The southern territorial part consists of medium and low, but in the north - high ridges. highest point far east – Klyuchevskaya Sopka, this is a volcano with a height of 4750 m.

The mountains in this region are constantly growing, they are located at the junction of plates that are in motion, and therefore there are many volcanoes. In addition to them, there is a unique object for which it is worth going to Kamchatka - the Valley of Geysers.

Important! Sikhote-Alin, located in the Primorye region, is part of world heritage. This system is rich not only in the diversity of flora and fauna. This point of Russia on the map is the birthplace of the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger.

Caucasus

The Caucasus deserves a separate description. This massif stretches from the Black to the Caspian, its length is more than 1200 km. Caucasian Range It is divided into the Northern part and Transcaucasia.

Height Caucasus mountains fluctuates along the entire length of the ridge. It is he who has the highest point of the whole country and Europe is Elbrus. The mountain was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It has a height above sea level of 5600 m. Elbrus is located in such a place that it can be seen from all sides. Travelers approached him in the early 19th century. At its peak, the temperature does not rise above -14 degrees. Snow falls on the mountain all the time, which makes its snow cap perfect. This peak feeds the two largest ones - Kuban and Terek.

The three highest mountains of Russia are located in the Greater Caucasus:

Elbrus;
Dykhtau;
Kazbek.

Interesting! In addition to the Caucasus Mountains, Kamchatka and Altai are famous for their large hills, among them: Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Belukha, Ichinskaya Sopka.

10 high mountains

A little more about each of the largest hills:

It is already clear about Elbrus, this is an inactive volcano, which is part of national park. Its height is 5642 meters.
Dykhtau occupies the second largest place among the mountain peaks of the country. This mountain, which is part of the Caucasus Range, rises to 5200 m. The ascent to this peak was first carried out only in 1888.
The third highest mountain in the country located on the border of Russia and Georgia. This is Pushkin Peak. It rises next to Dykhtau in the center of the Caucasus range. His conquest took place in 1961. Interestingly, this ascent was made not by professionals, but by the players of the Spartak club. The height of the peak is 5100 meters.
A little lower, namely one hundred meters, Kazbek rises. It is also related to the Greater Caucasus, located in its lateral part in the Khokh mountain range. Three London climbers conquered this peak in the middle of the 19th century.
Near the border of Georgia and Kabardino-Balkaria is the fifth highest point in Russia called Gestola. At its top, glaciers have accumulated that date back to the Paleozoic era. The most famous of them is Adishi.
Sixth in the top ten is Shota Rustaveli's pick. Although the name on the map of the peak is famous person Georgian origin, yet refers to the Russian part of the Caucasus. The peak stands on the border, no wonder both countries claim rights to it. The mountain has 4895 meters.
A little lower (4780 meters) is Mount Jimara. It is located in Alanya, at the very border of Russia and Georgia. Again, this is part Greater Caucasus.
In ninth place is Mount Saukhokh, again from the Greater Caucasus, located in North Ossetia. The height of the peak is 4636 meters. She refers to unconquered heights, as well as Kukurtli-Kolbashi. This mountain completes the list of ten most major peaks Russia, its height is 4324 meters.

Interesting! So far, no one has conquered the mountain formations that are on the 8th, 9th and 10th places on the list. This can push travelers to new feats.

The lowest mountains

In addition to the highest mountain peaks, it is interesting to know the rating of the lowest ones. Such a concept as the most low mountain, very difficult. It turns out that it is not so easy to name it. Mountains can only be called what is higher

Caucasian mountains- the great division between Europe and Asia. The Caucasus is a narrow strip of land between the Black and Caspian Seas. It strikes with an incredible variety of climate, flora and fauna.

The pride of the Caucasus is its mountains! The Caucasus is not the Caucasus without mountains. The mountains are unique, majestic and impregnable. The Caucasus is amazingly beautiful. He is so different. You can look at the mountains for hours.

The mountain range of the Greater Caucasus is a lot of pastures, forests, as well as amazing natural wonders. More than 2 thousand glaciers descend through narrow gorges. Chain large mountains almost one and a half thousand kilometers stretched from the northwest to the southeast. The main peaks exceed 5 thousand meters and significantly affect the weather in the regions. The clouds that form over the Black Sea are pouring rain, running into the mountain peaks of the Caucasus. On one side of the ridge there is a harsh landscape, and on the other - rough vegetation. Here you can find more than 6 and a half thousand plant species, a quarter of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

There are many legends about the origin of the Caucasus Mountains:

A long time ago, when the earth was still very young, a huge plain stretched on the site of the modern territory of the Caucasus. Huge sled heroes lived here in peace and love. They were kind and prudent, they met with joy both day and night, they knew neither evil, nor envy, nor deceit. The ruler of this people was the gray-haired giant Elbrus, and he had a beautiful son, Beshtau, and his son had a charming bride, the beautiful Mashuki. But they had an evil envious - Kite. And he decided to harm the Narts. He prepared a terrible potion in which he mixed the teeth of a wolf, the tongue of a boar and the eyes of a snake. At a big feast, he poured a potion into all the drinks of the Narts. And, having drunk it, they acquired the greed of a boar, the anger of a wolf, and the deceit of a snake. And from that time on, the happy and carefree life of the Narts ended. The father decided to take the young bride away from his son and, sending him on a hunt, wanted to forcefully marry Mashuki. But Mashuki resisted Elbrus. And in an evil battle she lost her wedding ring. I saw the Beshtau ring and hurried to help the bride. And a terrible battle began not for life, but for death, and half of the Narts fought on the side of Elbrus, and the other half on the side of Beshtau. And the battle lasted for several days and nights, and all the sledges perished. Elbrus chopped his son into five parts, and the son, inflicting the last blow, dismembered the gray head of his father into two halves. Mashuki came out after the battle on the battlefield and did not see a single living soul. She approached her lover and plunged a dagger into her heart. So the life of a great and old people stopped.

And now the Caucasian mountains rise in this place: the helmet from the head of Beshtau is Mount Zheleznaya, the Mashuk ring is Mount Koltso, five peaks are Mount Beshtau, nearby is Mount Mashuk and far, far from the others - gray-haired or simply snow-covered handsome Elbrus.

The Caucasus Mountains are the result of the convergence of two plates

Let's look at one of the narrowest places in this grandiose mountain belt. At its northern outskirts, in Ciscaucasia, there are flat areas that belong to a solid plate called the Scythian. Further to the south are the sublatitudinal (i.e., stretching approximately from west to east) mountains of the Greater Caucasus up to 5 km high, the narrow depressions of Transcaucasia - the Rionskaya and Kura lowlands - and also sublatitudinal, but convex to the north mountain ranges Lesser Caucasus in Georgia, Armenia, Eastern Turkey and Western Iran (up to 5 km high).

To the south are the plains Northern Arabia, which, like the plains of Ciscaucasia, belong to a very strong, monolithic Arabian lithospheric plate.

Therefore, the Scythian and Arabian plates- it's like two parts of a giant vise, which are slowly approaching, crushing everything that is between them. It is curious that directly opposite the northern, relatively narrow end of the Arabian Plate, in Eastern Turkey and Western Iran, are the most high mountains compared to the mountains to the west and east. They rise just in the place where the Arabian plate, like some kind of solid wedge, squeezed the pliable deposits most strongly.

Our planet has the most beautiful mountain system. It is located on, or to be more precise, between two seas - the Caspian and the Black. It bears a proud name - the Caucasus Mountains. It has coordinates: 42°30′ north latitude and 45°00′ east longitude. Length mountain system- more than one thousand kilometers. Geographically, it belongs to six countries: Russia and the states of the Caucasus region: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, etc.

Until now, it has not been clearly stated which part of the mainland the Caucasus Mountains belong to. Elbrus and Mont Blanc are fighting for the title of the most. The latter is in the Alps. Geographical position plan is easy to describe. And this article will help you.

Borders

At times Ancient Greece it was the Caucasus and the Bosphorus that separated the 2 continents. But the map of the world was constantly changing, peoples migrated. In the Middle Ages, the Don River was considered the border. Much later, in the 17th century, a Swedish geographer led her through the Urals, down the river. Embe to the Caspian Sea. His idea was supported by the scientists of that time and the Russian Tsar. According to this definition, mountains belong to Asia. On the other hand, in the Great Encyclopedia of Larousse, the border is designated south of Kazbek and Elbrus. Thus, both mountains are in Europe.

It is somewhat difficult to describe the geographical position of the Caucasus Mountains as accurately as possible. Opinion on territorial affiliation changed solely for political reasons. Europe was singled out as a special part of the world, linking this with the level of development of civilization. The border between the continents gradually shifted to the east. She became a moving line.

Some scholars, noting differences in geological structure massif, it is proposed to draw the border along the main ridge of the Greater Caucasus. And this is not surprising. mountains allow it. Its northern slope will refer to Europe, and the southern slope to Asia. This issue is being actively discussed by scientists from all six states. The geographers of Azerbaijan and Armenia believe that the Caucasus belongs to Asia, and the scientists of Georgia - to Europe. Many well-known authoritative people believe that the entire massif belongs to Asia, so Elbrus will not be considered the most high point Europe.

System Composition

This massif consists of 2 mountain systems: the Lesser and Greater Caucasus. Often the latter is presented as a single ridge, but this is not so. And if you study the geographical position of the Caucasus Mountains on the map, you will notice that it does not belong to those. The Greater Caucasus stretches for more than a kilometer from Anapa and the Taman Peninsula almost to Baku itself. Conventionally, it consists of the following parts: Western, Eastern and Central Caucasus. The first zone stretches from the Black Sea to Elbrus, the middle zone - from the highest peak to Kazbek, the last - from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea.

The western chains originate from the Taman Peninsula. And at first they look more like hills. However, the farther to the east, the higher they become. Their peaks are covered with snow and glaciers. The ranges of Dagestan are located in the east of the Greater Caucasus. These are complex systems with river valleys forming canyons. About 1.5 thousand square meters. km of the territory of the Greater Caucasus is covered with glaciers. Most of they belong to central District. The Lesser Caucasus includes nine ranges: Adjaro-Imeretinsky, Karabakh, Bazum and others. The highest of them, located in the middle and eastern parts, are Murov-Dag, Pambaksky, etc.

Climate

Analyzing the geographical position of the Caucasus Mountains, we see that they are located on the border of two climatic zones- subtropical and temperate. Transcaucasia belongs to the subtropics. The rest of the territory belongs to the temperate zone. The North Caucasus is a warm region. Summer there lasts almost 5 months, and in winter it never falls below -6 °C. It is short - 2-3 months. In high mountainous areas the climate is different. There it is influenced by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, so the weather is more humid.

Due to the complex relief in the Caucasus, there are many zones that differ from each other. This climate allows the cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, cotton and other exotic crops that are suited to the temperate nature of weather conditions. The geographical position of the Caucasus Mountains largely affects the formation of the temperature regime in the surrounding areas.

Himalayas and Caucasus mountains

Often at school, students are asked to compare the geographical location of the Himalayas and the similarity in only one thing: both systems are in Eurasia. However, they have many differences:

The Caucasus Mountains are located on the Himalayas, but they belong only to Asia.
The average height of the Caucasus Mountains is 4 thousand meters, the Himalayas - 5 thousand meters.
Also, these mountain systems are located in different climatic zones. The Himalayas are mostly in the subequatorial, less - in the tropics, and the Caucasus - in the subtropical and temperate.

As you can see, these two systems are not identical. The geographical position of the Caucasus Mountains and the Himalayas is at some points similar, at others not. But both systems are quite large, beautiful, amazing.

In the ridge of the Caucasus Mountains is Elbrus. It is also considered the whole of Europe. Its location is such that several peoples live around it, who call it differently. Therefore, if you hear such names as Alberis, Oshkhomakho, Mingitau or Yalbuz, know that they mean the same thing.

In this article, we will introduce you closer to the most high mountain in the Caucasus - Elbrus, which was once active volcano, and occupying the fifth place on the planet, among the mountains formed in the same way.

The height of the Elbrus peaks in the Caucasus

As already mentioned, the highest mountain in Russia is dormant volcano. This is precisely the reason why its top does not have a pointed shape, but looks like a two-peak cone, between which there is a saddle at an altitude of 5 km 200 m. Two peaks located at a distance of 3 km from each other are different: the eastern one is 5621 m, and the western one is 5642 m. The reference always indicates a great value.

Like all former volcanoes, Elbrus consists of two parts: a pedestal made of rocks, in this case it is 700 m, and an artificial cone formed after eruptions (1942 m).

Starting from a height of 3500 m, the surface of the mountain is covered with snow. First, mixed with scatterings of stones, and then turning into a uniform white cover. by the most famous glaciers Elbrus are Terskop, Big and Small Azau.

The temperature at the top of Elbrus practically does not change and is -1.4°C. A large amount of precipitation falls here, but due to such a temperature regime, it is almost always snow, so the glaciers do not melt. Since the snow cap of Elbrus is visible all year round for many kilometers, the mountain is also called "Small Antakrtida".

The glaciers located at the top of the mountain feed the most big rivers these places - Kuban and Terek.

Climbing Elbrus

To see the beautiful view from the top of Elbrus, you need to climb it. It is quite simple to do this, since you can get to a height of 3750 m along the southern slope on a pendulum or chairlift. cable car. Here is a shelter for travelers "Barrels". It consists of 12 insulated trailers for 6 people and a stationary kitchen. They are equipped so that they can wait out any bad weather, even for a long time.

The next stop is usually made at an altitude of 4100 m in the Shelter of Eleven Hotel. The parking lot here was established in the 20th century, but was destroyed by fire. Then a new building was built in its place.

For the first time, the peaks of Elbrus were conquered in 1829 on the east and in 1874 on the west.

Now the Donguzorun and Ushba massifs, as well as the Adylsu, Adyrsu and Shkheldy gorges are popular with climbers. Increasingly, mass ascents to the peaks are organized. WITH south side located ski resort Elbrus Azau. It consists of 7 tracks, with a total length of 11 km. They are suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. A distinctive black of this resort is freedom of movement. On all routes there is a minimum number of fences and dividers. It is recommended to visit it from October to May during this period there is the strongest snow.

Elbrus is at the same time very beautiful and dangerous mountain. Indeed, according to scientists, there is a possibility that in the next 100 years the volcano will wake up, and then all nearby regions (Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia) will suffer.

State budgetary educational institution secondary general secondary school No. 509 of the Moscow region

city of St. Petersburg

ABSTRACT

in the discipline "Geography"

on the topic of: « Caucasian mountains».

Completed: students of grade 8 "A"

Gaisyonok Julia

Ahmedova Rukiyat

Leader: geography teacher

Kovaleva Natalya Nikolaevna

St. Petersburg 2012

1. Introduction. …………………………………………………………...........3

2.Main part

2.1 Legend about the origin of the Caucasus Mountains………………………...4

2.2 Physical and geographical location………………………………..5

2.3 Climate……………………………………………………………………7

2.4 Rivers and lakes…………………………………………………………...8

2.5 Animal world …………………………………………………………..9

2.6 Plant world…………………………………………………....11

3.Conclusion……………………………………………………………..12

4. References…………..…………………………………….…..13

5..Appendix 1……………………………………………………………14

6.Appendix 2…………………………………………………………….16

1. Introduction

Since ancient times our Russian Parnassus

Drawn to unfamiliar countries,
And most of all, only you, the Caucasus,
It rang with a mysterious mist.

S.A. Yesenin

This is an amazing land, one of most interesting regions the globe. Combining unique landscapes, becoming the homeland for hundreds of nationalities, it is truly a unique region of the world. The North Caucasus is my homeland which I love.

The Caucasus Mountains are the great divide between Europe and Asia. The Caucasus is a narrow strip of land between the Black and Caspian Seas. It strikes with an incredible variety of climate, flora and fauna.

Green hills and alpine meadows of the Caucasus, salt deserts, miniature sand dunes replaced by high mountains. The beauty of Caucasian landscapes is not inferior to any region of the planet.

The mountain range of the Greater Caucasus is a lot of pastures, forests, as well as amazing natural wonders. More than 2 thousand glaciers descend through narrow gorges. The chain of large mountains stretched for almost one and a half thousand kilometers from the northwest to the southeast. The main peaks exceed 5 thousand meters and significantly affect the weather in the regions.

The clouds that form over the Black Sea are pouring rain, running into the mountain peaks of the Caucasus. On one side of the ridge there is a harsh landscape, and on the other - rough vegetation. Here you can find more than 6 and a half thousand plant species, a quarter of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The purpose of our essay is to study natural features mountains of the Caucasus.

The material can be used in geography lessons when studying the topic "North Caucasus".

2. Base part

2.1 Legend of the origin of the Caucasus Mountains

And now the Caucasian mountains rise in this place: the helmet from the head of Beshtau is Mount Zheleznaya, the ring of Mashuk is Mount Ring, five peaks are Mount Beshtau, nearby is Mount Mashuk and far, far from others - gray-haired or simply snow-covered handsome Elbrus. [ 2 ]

2.2Physical location

The Caucasus Mountains form natural border between Europe and Asia, located on the isthmus between the Caspian and Black Seas. The Kuma-Manych depression separates the Caucasus from the East European Plain. The territory of the Caucasus can be divided into several parts: Ciscaucasia, Greater Caucasus and Transcaucasia. In the territory Russian Federation located only Ciscaucasia and Northern part Greater Caucasus. 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 Range, passes state border Russian Federation, followed by Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The North Caucasian mountains are relatively young. Their relief was created by different tectonic structures. These mountains were formed when deep trough zones were filled with sedimentary and volcanic rocks, which were later subjected to folding. Tectonic processes here were accompanied by significant bends, extensions, ruptures and faults of earth layers. As a result, a large amount of magma poured onto the surface (this led to the formation of significant ore deposits).

Often the Greater Caucasus is presented as the only ridge. In fact, this is a whole system of various ridges, which can be divided into several parts. Western Caucasus located from Black Sea coast to Mount Elbrus, then (from Elbrus to Kazbek) follows the Central Caucasus, and to the east from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea - the Eastern Caucasus. In addition, two ridges can be distinguished in the longitudinal direction: Vodorazdelny (sometimes called the main one) and Lateral. On the northern slope of the Caucasus, the Rocky and Pasture Ranges, as well as the Black Mountains, are distinguished. They were formed as a result of interlayering layers composed of sedimentary rocks of different hardness. One slope of the ridge here is gentle, and the other breaks off rather 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 is rather not even mountains, but hills. They begin to rise towards the east. The highest parts North Caucasus covered with snow caps and glaciers. The highest peaks of the Western Caucasus are the Fisht (2870 meters) and Oshten (2810 meters) mountains. Most high part The Greater Caucasus is the Central Caucasus. Even some passes at this point reach a height of 3000 meters, and the lowest of them (Krestovy) lies at an altitude of 2380 meters. Here are the most high peaks Caucasus. So, for example, the height of Mount Kazbek is 5033 meters, and the two-headed extinct volcano Elbrus is the highest peak in Russia. The relief here is strongly dissected: sharp ridges, steep slopes and rocky peaks prevail.

The eastern part of the Greater Caucasus is mainly numerous ridges Dagestan (in the translation of 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 still they exceed the height of 4 thousand meters. meters. The uplift of the Caucasus Mountains continues in our time. This is associated with fairly frequent earthquakes in this region of Russia. North of Central Caucasus, where the magma rising along the cracks did not spill onto 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 sources of mineral waters.

The so-called Ciscaucasia is occupied by the Kuban and Tersko-Kuma lowlands. They are separated from each other by the Stavropol Upland, the height of which is 700-800 meters.

Fig.1 Dagestan. Red Mountain.

2.3Climate

The climate in this area is quite favorable. Quite high mountains serve as a good obstacle to the cold air penetrating here. The proximity of the long cooling sea also has an effect. The Greater Caucasus is the border between two climatic poles - subtropical and temperate. On Russian territory the climate is still temperate, but the above factors contribute to high temperatures.

As a result, winters in Ciscaucasia are quite warm ( 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, the temperature rarely drops below zero mark(average temperature January 3 ° C). Temperatures are naturally lower in mountainous regions. So, the average temperature on the plain in summer is about 25 ° C, and in the upper reaches of the mountains - 0 ° C.

Precipitation in this area mainly falls due to cyclones coming from the west, as a result of which their amount gradually decreases towards the east. Most precipitation falls on the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. Their number on the Kuban Plain is about 7 times lower.

In the mountains of the North Caucasus, glaciation is developed, in terms of the area of \u200b\u200bwhich this region ranks first among all regions of Russia. The rivers flowing here are fed by water formed during 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 swampy spaces overgrown with reeds and reeds.

most dangerous natural phenomena that occur in these places are landslides, mountain falls and earthquakes.

2.4 Rivers and lakes

The rivers of the Caucasus belong to the basin of the Caspian (Kura with Araks, Sulak, Terek, Kuma), Black (Rioni, Inguri, etc.) and Azov (Kuban) seas. The distribution of runoff and the regime of rivers depend mainly on climatic conditions and relief. The Greater Caucasus is characterized by rivers with a long (about 6 months) high water in the warm part of the year; Eternal snow and ice and seasonal snow that melts late in the highlands participate in their nutrition. Close to this type is the regime of rivers starting in the highest ridges and massifs of the Transcaucasian highlands (Aragats, Zangezur ridge, Murovdag) and in those parts of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus where there are no glaciers. The rest of the rivers of the Transcaucasian Highlands are characterized by spring floods. On the rivers of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, along with spring floods, summer floods are characteristic. The rivers of Ciscaucasia, with the exception of those flowing from the Greater Caucasus, have spring floods and winter freeze-up, become very shallow in summer, and partly dry up. Stavropol artificially watered from the river. Kuban. The rivers of the Caucasus, which originate in areas without stable snow cover, are characterized by floods from heavy rains and rapid snowmelt. Additional source their food is groundwater. Floods occur throughout the year (Black Sea coast south of Sochi, Colchis lowland, etc.), in the warm season (in the front ranges of the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, in the Terek basin) and in the cold half-year (the western tip of the Greater Caucasus and the northern part of the Black Sea coast). Mudflows are characteristic of many rivers in the Eastern and part of the Central Caucasus. The advanced limestone ridges of the Greater Caucasus have karst rivers, which in places disappear underground and reappear on the surface. Their mode, like the rivers volcanic area Armenian highland, regulated by great participation in nutrition groundwater. Large rivers that receive tributaries from different areas have a combined regime. Majority major rivers The Caucasus in the upper reaches have a mountainous character and flow in trough valleys and gorges, while in the lower reaches they flow more calmly in wide valleys.

The lower reaches of the Kura, Kuban and Rioni are navigable. The waters of many rivers are used to irrigate the arid regions of Ciscaucasia, the Kura depression and the Middle Araks basin. Many hydroelectric power plants have been built on the rivers of the Caucasus (Mingachevirskaya and Zemo-Avchalskaya on the Kura, Khramskaya, Rionskaya, a number of hydroelectric power plants on the rivers of the Greater Caucasus).

Of the lakes of the Caucasus, the largest is Sevan. In the highland region of the Greater Caucasus, there are many car lakes; there are also dammed, karst and other lakes. On the coasts of the seas - firth lakes. Most of the lakes are fresh, but in the arid regions of the eastern part of the Caucasus they are salty.

2.5Animal world

Animal world The Caucasus is very diverse, which is due to significant spatial variability within its boundaries of environmental conditions and the history of the formation of the faunal complex. There is a significant group of endemics here: Caucasian and Dagestan turs (stone goats), Caucasian hamster, Promethean mouse, Caucasian black grouse, Caucasian snowcock, etc. The degree of endemism is especially high in the upper parts of the mountains. Ancient representatives of broad-leaved forests live in the forests: bison, red deer, wild boar, pine marten. The fauna of Ciscaucasia developed mainly in the pre-Quaternary period.

The steppes of the Western and Middle Ciscaucasia are inhabited by the same animals as the steppes of the Russian Plain. Lesser ground squirrel, large jerboa, hamster, mole voles, hare, steppe polecat are common here, in some places the banded ferret has been preserved, the number of foxes and wolves is large. Animals of semi-deserts and deserts live on the Tersko-Kuma lowland Central Asia and Kazakhstan: corsac fox, earthen hare, upland jerboa, long-eared hedgehog, combed gerbil and midday gerbil, etc. There is a steppe antelope - saiga. There are also endemics here: the Nogai jerboa, Ciscaucasian gerbil, small vole.

Reptiles are abundant in the Ciscaucasia (steppe viper, boa constrictor, snakes, green and steppe lizards, etc.). Of the birds, the steppe lark, quail, eagles, harrier, kite, kestrel are characteristic, there are bustards, demoiselle cranes, and little bustards.

The jungle cat (Fig. 2), jackals, and wild boars live in the reed beds of the Terek and Sulak deltas. In the deltas of these rivers and the Kuban, there are many waterfowl and marsh birds.

Fig. 2 Reed cat

The Greater Caucasus is inhabited mainly by forest and alpine animals. Deer, Siberian roe deer, wild boars, badger, Caucasian squirrel, dormouse, and many forest mice are found in broad-leaved forests. Stone marten and forest cat live in many areas.

The species composition of birds is very rich. The most numerous are jays, finches, nuthatches, owls, etc. In winter, squirrels migrate to dark coniferous forests. The pine marten is associated with coniferous forests. Birds, rodents and shrews feed on fir and spruce seeds. In the Colchis forests of the southwestern slope, there are Persian squirrels, European roe deer, small badgers, and jackals.

Dark coniferous forests and alpine meadows are characterized by seasonal migrations of many animals. Deer and wild boars live in subalpine meadows in summer, but in winter, when the snow thickness in the forest is half that in the meadows, they migrate to coniferous forests. Tours and chamois graze in the alpine meadows in summer, while they spend the winter on the rocky slopes of the forest belt. The leopard lives in the mountain forests (Fig. 3), arranging a den in the crevices of the rocks, but it hunts for chamois and tours in high mountain meadows. The Caucasian black grouse spends a significant part of the time in the thickets of rhododendron.

Fig.3 Leopard

Alpine meadows are the habitats of the Caucasian snowcock, Promethean mouse, common, gray and shrub voles. Of the birds living here: chough, horned lark, snow finch (Fig. 3).

Fig.3 Reel

2.6
Vegetable world

Vegetation cover The Caucasus is also very diverse. Floristic elements of European forests and vegetation of the Eurasian highlands, East European steppes and West Asian deserts, as well as complex plant communities of the Mediterranean, took part in its formation. WITH Greater Caucasus associated significant regional endemism and distinctive character plant groups. Within its limits there are about 550 endemic species. The percentage of endemics is highest among plants of high mountains and rocky habitats. Among the plant groups, the most peculiar are the vegetation of the upland xerophytes of Dagestan and the relict Colchian broad-leaved forests that enter Russia with their northwestern outskirts.

Western and Central Ciscaucasia in the recent past was covered with steppe vegetation. Now it has survived only in fragments, mainly on slopes that are inconvenient for plowing.

The steppes of the plains and foothills are a direct continuation of the steppes of the south of the Russian Plain. Forb-fescue-feather grass steppes prevailed. On the eastern slope of the Stavropol Upland, they were replaced by turf-cereal (fescue-feather grass and fescue) steppes. Closer to the foothills, on the Kuban, Kabardian, Ossetian and other sloping plains, in the elevated southwestern part of the Stavropol Upland and in the Mineralovodsky region, forb meadow steppes with patches of forests of oak, ash, hornbeam (forest steppe) were common. The upland steppes are confined to the dry slopes of the mountains, more diverse in species composition than the steppes of the plains. In the Eastern Ciscaucasia, cereal-wormwood semi-deserts are common. Saltwort vegetation is common on saline soils. The western and southern outskirts of the Terek-Kuma Plain are occupied by dry wormwood-cereal steppes. In the dry mountainous regions of the Greater Caucasus, upland xerophytic vegetation is widespread, represented by groups such as frigana and shilyak.

In the mountains of the Greater Caucasus largest sites occupy forests. The lower part of the forest belt is represented by forests dominated by oak or beech. Dark coniferous forests are common in the upper part. IN southern regions On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus there are depleted relict Colchis broad-leaved forests. Above the forests in the mountains, subalpine and alpine meadows are common.

3. Conclusion.

So leave unnecessary disputes -
I have already proved everything to myself:
Only mountains can be better than mountains,
Where no one has been!

The nature of the Caucasus is rich and diverse, the beauty of its landscapes is unique. Bare rocks, eternal snows and glaciers. Highlands, dense coniferous and lush broad-leaved forests, covering mountains, open steppe and semi-desert plains with dried up from the heat of the sun, cracked soil, abundantly watered subtropical forests and plantations - all this is located next to each other, making up striking contrasts.

The Caucasus Mountains are one of the parts of the southern borders of our country. There is a great variety here natural areas due to altitudinal zonality, special microclimates are formed, which is why in nature there are interesting views flora and fauna.

Historically, this territory has housed a large number of peoples and their national flavor is of interest to many tourists.

List of used literature:

1.Caucasus. http://sir35.narod.ru/Caucas/1_080817.htm

2.Legend about the origin of the Caucasus Mountains www. http://sasw.chat.ru/rasskazi2.htm

3. Regional reviews of the nature of Russia http://www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/geoussr/3-5-4.htm#68jiv

4. North Caucasus http://geography.kz/slovar/severnyj-kavkaz/

Annex 1

Rivers of the Caucasus