Facts about the Caucasus How old are the Caucasus Mountains? Age Caucasus mountains- about 25 million years. This is a young mountain system. They were formed relatively recently, in the Tertiary period. The Caucasus Mountains belong to the Alpine folding, but with insignificant volcanic activity "Caucasus", as a name, first appeared in the ancient Greek author Aeschylus in "Prometheus Chained" and in Herodotus in the 5th century BC. Presumably, in those days, the locals called the Caucasus differently, the Caspian. And the name Caucasus probably came from Ancient Greece. 1) It is curious that the Caucasus is located at the junction of two belts, subtropical and temperate. The average annual temperature here is 3-6 degrees lower than in other regions at the same latitudes. 2) The Greater Caucasus is divided into Western (from Taman to Elbrus), Central (between Elbrus and Kazbek) and Eastern (from Kazbek to the Absheron Peninsula). 3) The highest point of the Caucasus is Elbrus, the height is 5642 meters. 4) The Caucasus is famous for a wide variety of landscapes, according to this indicator, it occupies one of the leading places in the world. There are humid zones, arid zones, subtropics, glaciers, plains and high mountains. On 0.5% of the planet's land area, 40% of landscape types are represented. Many places have not yet been touched by man. 5) The highest mountains of the Caucasus: Mizhirgi (5025 m), Kazbek (5033 m), Dzhangi-Tau (5058 m), Shkhara (5068 m), Pushkin Peak (5100 m), Koshtantau (5152 m), Elbrus (5642 m) ). 6) 50 different nationalities live in the Caucasus. 7) A huge number of living creatures live in the Caucasus: 152 species of mammals, 389 species of birds, 76 species of reptiles. There are also over 5,000 plant species growing. There are enough endemics among them: 1600 plant species, 32 animal species, 3 bird species. There are many types of invertebrates, for example, about 1000 species of spiders still live there. 8) The main resorts of the Russian Federation, including Anapa, are located in the Caucasus. Anapa Nadezhda sanatorium, by the way, is one of best offers in terms of price-quality ratio. 9) In the Caucasus, they speak a variety of languages. One of the most diverse places on the planet in this regard. 10) Snow Cave in the Western Caucasus is the third deepest cave in the world, the depth of which is 1753 meters below sea level. This is the hardest cave the former USSR and the most difficult phonetic cave in the world. The total length of galleries and passages is more than 25 kilometers. The New Athos Cave (originally the Anakopia Abyss) is the largest cave in Abkhazia. Near the cave there is the New Athos Monastery and the Temple of Simon the Canaanite. Krubera-Voronya is the deepest cave in the world today, (-2191 m), and is located in the Arabica mountain range in Abkhazia. What interesting facts about the Caucasus do you know? Leave your comments Also PUT CLASS and REPOST;)

1. Commander of the 1st Tank Army, German General E. Mackensen in 1942. converted to Islam in Nalchik. The general zealously visited the mosque, as expected, humbly taking off his shoes at the entrance.

2. In the village of Ivanovskoye, Kursk province, in the estate of the princes Baryatinsky until 1917, the checker of Imam Shamil and his famous gazavat banner were kept. After the revolution, the estate was plundered, but the banner and the blade were delivered to Lenin. Then the saber got to the Eastern Front in the Southern Group to M.V. Frunze, and from him to the legendary V.I. Chapaev. For history, Shamil's saber disappeared, and the Bolsheviks sent the green banner to the Caucasus, so that under this banner the highlanders fought with the whites.
Denikin kept one third of his forces in the Caucasus (the Caucasian army of General Wrangel) and could not withdraw them from there for a minute.
Let me remind you that Ukraine also had its own greens. Thus, the whites fought with the reds and with the greens ...
« TVNZ"Aug 31. 2001y
3.2 Sep 2004 the famous journalist Anna Politkovskaya flew to Beslan during the hostage-taking at the Beslan school, hoping to act as a mediator in the negotiations, but on the plane, after drinking tea, 10 minutes later she lost consciousness and was hospitalized in Rostov-on-Don in a serious condition with a diagnosis of poisoning unknown toxins. " According to the editor-in-chief “ Novaya Gazeta“Dmitry Muratov, the tests taken from Politkovskaya immediately after being admitted to the hospital were destroyed. Politkovskaya's liver, kidneys and endocrine system were seriously damaged. According to Politkovskaya, she was “removed from the field” to prevent her from implementing her plan for resolving the situation.
Information source - Wikipedia. Let me remind you that Anna Stepanovna lived after that for a little more than two years.

4. After the destruction of the aul of Dondi Yurt by the tsarist troops, where all the Chechen men were killed in the battle, the soldiers, having chained the women, put them on big boat, and sailed across the Terek to the other side. In the middle of the river, the women together rushed to the guards, and carried them along with them to the bottom of the river. A.P. Ermolov had an unflattering opinion about the highlanders. It is said that it was after this incident that the enraged general said: “This people does not succumb to civilization. He must be destroyed. "
Monuments to the founder of the city of Grozny were repeatedly blown up and destroyed during the times of the all-powerful KGB, even in our time the bust of the general in the city of Mineralnye Vody "fights" with the mountaineers.
However, few people know that the great proconsul of the Caucasus Ermolov himself came from such. Ermolov had as his ancestor Arslan Murza Ermol, who since 1505 entered the service of the Grand Duke Vasily Ivanovich. Fighting with the mountaineers, exterminating their auls, Aleksey Petrovich nevertheless was married three times to mountain women, having entered into a Muslim marriage with them (kebin). From mountain women he had several sons and daughters. Ermolov's sons all became military men, received the nobility and served in the tsarist army.

5. The conquest of Elbrus was of great propaganda value for the Nazis. Captain Otto von Groth, before the war, visited these parts more than once and climbed Elbrus twice.
On August 21, 1942, at 11 o'clock in the morning, his detachment planted Nazi flags and a pennant of the Edelweiss division on the summit. The army newsreel operators were happy to film this ascent and the hoisting of the banners. The grotto was awarded the Knight's Cross, the rest of the gamekeepers were awarded the Iron Crosses.
The Soviet command tried to improve the state of affairs in the Elbrus area. However, the Germans created an exceptionally solid defense here. The Germans covered the key to Elbrus “Shelter of the Eleven” with many firing points. Here they planted 20 machine gunners, the Pastukhov Shelter base was covered by 150 soldiers and officers with heavy machine guns, and another 200 rangers pitched tents on the western slopes of the mountain.
Fascist symbols remained on the top of Elbrus - more irresistible than which then, it seemed, there was nothing in the world.

Von Groth's detachment was opposed by a special group of cadets of Senior Lieutenant Berezin and a battalion of Commissar Shuvalov. Single, well-shot paths led upward, respectively, the attack could only go very slowly and only trail in the trail. Soviet soldiers used a trick - they removed the luxurious warm uniforms from the killed rangers.
Aviation provided serious assistance in the offensive. The aircraft, under the control of the pilot Sanaysky, purposefully dropped 4 high-explosive bombs on the eastern summit of Elbrus, aiming not so much at the hoisted flags, but at a huge snow visor. An avalanche immediately fell and buried many "snow leopards", among whom was Otto von Groth. But in the end, the German defenses held out. The Germans retreated from the Caucasus on their own, fearing a repeat of Stalingrad.
On February 17, 1943, a detachment of 20 Soviet climbers under the command of the 3rd rank military engineer A.M. Gusev climbed Elbrus, dropping the Edelweiss banners.

Caucasus - sounds proud and majestic! Picturesque places, mountain peaks, pristine beauty of nature, culture, traditions and customs - there are many pleasant memories and associations with the Caucasus. The Caucasus is always attractive. That only there is a wise gray-haired giant - Elbrus. And the oldest Derbent is the oldest city in Russia. And the sacred family traditions ... You can't count everything.

Many legends, facts and myths are associated with the Caucasus. Let's talk about some of them today:

# 1. Kefir is both tasty and healthy

Kefir is a very popular drink in Russia. Did you know that his homeland is at the foot of Mount Elbrus, from where this invigorating drink spread to Russia. It has been known in the Caucasus for many centuries. In those parts of the world there are even legends about how kefir sourdough appeared. The most widespread legend says that the grains of kefir fungi were transferred to the highlanders by the Prophet Muhammad himself, who brought them in his staff.

The secret of making kefir long time was kept secret by the Caucasians, passed down from generation to generation, and did not spread anywhere beyond the Caucasus. It was impossible to transfer sourdough grains even to neighbors.

In Russia, they learned about kefir only at the end of the 19th century. There is also a well-known romantic story, overgrown with many myths, connected with how kefir could be obtained for Russia.

One Russian doctor who worked in the Caucasus wrote in his report about the healing properties of kefir. But scientists failed to artificially remove lactic acid bacteria, so it was decided to get these bacteria in any possible way.

The All-Russian Society of Physicians decided to turn to Nikolai Ivanovich Blandov, a well-known entrepreneur in the field of selling cheese and dairy products at that time. Blandov had several shops and a cheese factory in Kislovodsk and gradually increased production. The milk supplier for its production was the young Karachai prince Bek-Mirza Baichorov. Like any Caucasian, he knew the secret of making kefir. But how to approach it? As you know, Caucasians are great lovers of female beauty. For the secret mission, Blandova's assistant, 20-year-old beauty Irina Tikhonovna Sakharova, was selected.

The prince fell in love with her, but never wanted to reveal the secret of kefir. Irina, already in despair, was about to leave together with the engineer of the cheese dairy Vasiliev, when the mountaineers with sabers and with their faces covered and seized the girl. As it turned out later, it was the prince, according to Caucasian customs, who decided to steal the bride. Vasiliev turned to the gendarmerie. The culprit was quickly identified, but since he was not an ordinary mountaineer, but a prince, they decided not to publicize the case. And Irina demanded kefir fungi for her forgiveness. The prince had no choice but to agree.

Thus, the production of this fermented milk drink was quickly established in Russia as well. He soon became popular throughout Russia, as well as abroad.

# 2. Caucasian means European

If a Caucasian is translated into English, it will turn out english word"Caucasian". An interesting fact is that in English the word "Caucasian" is used not only in relation to people from the Caucasus. The word "Caucasian" in English refers to all representatives Caucasian race, that is, all those whom we call white Europeans in Russian.

This happened thanks to the famous German anthropologist Johann Blumenbach. At the end of the 18th century, he published a scientific work in which he divided all of humanity into 5 races, namely:

americanoid,
negroid
Malay,
Mongoloid,
Caucasian race.

He called the Caucasian race the white Europeans, since he believed that the first Europeans appeared in the Caucasus, and from there they already spread throughout Europe. This theory was the main one in science for a long time, but was later refuted. But, nevertheless, the term "Caucasian" took root in German and English, and is still used there in relation to all white Europeans, including those living in America and Australia.

No. 3. "Wild division

In the Russian Empire, the inhabitants of the Caucasus were not subject to military conscription, and therefore did not serve in the army. But there was one exception: during the First World War in 1914, the "Caucasian Native Cavalry Division", better known as the "Wild Division", was formed. The division was commanded by the brother of Emperor Nicholas II, Prince Mikhail Alexandrovich, a modest, but not timid, dozen people. The division was 90% Muslim volunteers. Natives of Dagestan, Chechnya, Azerbaijan and other regions of the Caucasus served in it.

Mountain customs such as respect for elders and hospitality were strong in this division. Subservience and sycophancy were not recognized, respected not for rank, but for courage.

During the First World War, the "Wild Division" distinguished itself by many military merits and took an important part in many battles of that war. Per military merit warriors were not awarded as usual. Since Muslims predominated here, instead of the Orders of St. George, St. Anne, the heroes were awarded the coat of arms of the Russian Empire - a two-headed eagle.

Shortly after the revolution, in January 1918, the "wild division" was disbanded.

No. 4. Legends of Elbrus

The Caucasus has the most high mountain in Europe and Russia - Elbrus. Its height is 5642 meters above sea level.

The mountain is known all over the world under the name Elbrus, but this majestic peak has more than four dozen names. The Karachais and Balkars themselves, who live at the foot of the giant, do not call it Elbrus. This name is not consonant with any of the words of these Caucasian peoples. It is believed that "Elbrus" has Iranian roots, as in old times here lived the Iranian-speaking tribes of the Ases. Translated from Persian, "Elburz" means "high mountain".

There is also a romantic legend about Elbrus. They say that in ancient times heroes lived here - father and son. Their names were Kazbek and Elbrus. Both were in love with the beautiful Mashuko, and no one wanted to concede in conquering the girl's heart. And then they decided to fight in a duel. The son Elbrus defeated his father in a deadly duel. But the price of victory was too high - the death of a loved one, and Elbrus no longer wanted Mashuko's love. He stabbed himself with the same dagger as his father. Mashuko cried over them for a long time. God listened to her groans, and turned father and son into the most majestic and beautiful mountains. And Mashuko also turned into a mountain, but smaller. Now Mashuko has stood for centuries and cannot decide which of the heroes is more to her heart. Here is such love triangle it turns out.

Mount Mashuk is located in the central part of Pyatigorye on the Caucasian Mineral Waters, in the northeastern part of the city of Pyatigorsk. Height 993.7 m. On the southern slope of the mountain there is the famous Pyatigorsk Proval - a deep natural well-cave with an underground lake. The story of M. Yu. Lermontov "Princess Mary" about the Failure says that "in the opinion of the local scientists, this failure is nothing more than an extinct crater." By the way, "Proval" now has a monument to Ostap Bender.

No. 5. Two weddings instead of one

Many peoples of the Caucasus have an unusual tradition - to celebrate instead of one wedding, two. This tradition did not arise by accident. The fact is that earlier, according to strict Muslim rules, boys and girls could not be together at the same event. Therefore, at one wedding the groom walked with his friends and relatives, and at the other the bride walked with her friends and relatives. Now there are no those strict rules as before, and now there are both girls and guys at the wedding, but the wedding is still held twice.

No. 6. Hospitable Caucasus

Everyone knows that Caucasians are very hospitable, it's not a secret for anyone. This is already a tradition. One of the reasons for the emergence of such a custom is the fact that the Caucasus is a high-mountainous region, where it is very difficult to get there. Therefore, in ancient times, travelers who reached the Caucasians were the only source of information about the outside world. If a guest came to the house of a Caucasian, then they took great care of him - they fed him the best food, gave them the best drinks and put them to bed at the very the best place in the House. And men from all around came to this house to listen interesting stories about the rest, an alien world, hidden from the Caucasians behind the high white peaks.

No. 7. Many nationalities

More than 50 ethnic groups live in the Caucasus, speaking more than 20 different languages. But most of them know Russian. The largest peoples speaking Caucasian languages ​​and currently living in the Caucasus, I Georgians, Chechens, Avars, Lezgins, Dargins, and Kabardians come. Outside the Caucasus, the largest is the Circassian diaspora (about 3-4 million) living in more than 40 countries of the world.

No. 8. Caucasian meat

Many Caucasians believe that using a meat grinder to grind meat is blasphemy. Therefore, for the preparation of traditional Caucasian dishes for chopping meat, only knives are used with which they chop the meat.

Caucasian cuisine is one of the most popular in the restaurant business in Russia. The very first associations with Caucasian cuisine are satiety, a lot of meat and vegetables, spices, divine taste. Pilaf, satsivi, kharcho, achma, chakhokhbili, shashlik - only one listing of these dishes starts to wake up appetite.

Caucasian national food should be cooked over an open fire - this is the most important rule. All products, including even dairy products, such as cheese, must be fried by Caucasian chefs on a spit over hot coals.

No. 9. The secret of longevity


Long-livers of the Caucasus

It is known that almost half of the planet's centenarians live in the Caucasus. Of these, at least half are in the North Caucasus. Scientists, both Russian and foreign, have been researching the phenomenon of highlander longevity for a long time.

One of the fundamental discoveries is this: they live long not because they drink goat's milk or this particular variety of wine, in which substances that slow down aging are found, and not because they eat cheese, in which some useful substances are found that strengthen the walls of blood vessels. ... And they eat and drink, of course. But!

More importantly, they eat exactly the foods that their ancestors ate. It is to these products that their bodies have been adapted for many centuries, and sometimes even millennia. To this must be added the pure ionized air of the mountains and the sea. It is safe to say that it was precisely such cakes that were baked in this village a hundred and three hundred years ago. Also, there is no doubt that the inhabitant of mountain villages drinks from the same source from which 12-15 generations of their ancestors drank.

Highlanders' food is not intended to be warmed up, used the next day (three days, a week). Basically, the mountaineers eat lamb, goat meat, less often - poultry and beef.

And also - in the mountains, the air humidity is low, so the loss of moisture through the lungs is significant. And dehydration of the body affects the state of health, mood. Therefore, in the diet of the mountaineers there is a lot of water, ayran, tan, milk, herbal decoctions. Scientists say that in the mountains you need to drink at least 4 liters. per day.

No. 10. Less divorces, more children


Photo: chechentourism.ru

Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan are the regions of Russia with the lowest number of divorces. Also, these regions are leaders in Russia in terms of birth rate per capita. This is facilitated by the strong influence of religion and the veneration of the sacred family traditions in this region. Divorce in Dagestan, for example, is the exception rather than the rule. Traditionally, if during life together the husband will say the phrase “You are no longer my wife!” three times, which means a divorce. In order to “formalize” it, the spouses go to the imam, who, with certain actions, fixes their decision.

Interestingly, a little over a century ago, the Russian family was one of the largest in the world. In Russia, it was believed that 8 children in a family is regrettably few. It was normal to have 12-14 children. Today large families families from 3 children are called. But for the modern Caucasus, this is the usual minimum, and like a hundred or two hundred years ago, Caucasian families are one of the strongest and largest.

Well, I would like to finish with one more fact, very significant: Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan are the most sober regions of Russia. For example, in Chechnya, as a result of another major accident in 2016 on the Kavkaz highway, which claimed 8 lives, alcohol fell under the final “unspoken ban”. It is known that since 2009 alcohol in Chechnya could be sold exclusively from 8-10 am. In light of recent events, alcohol sellers in the republic have voluntarily given up this activity and it is no longer possible to buy alcohol in the region. Perhaps this was facilitated by the appeal of the head of the Chechen parliament, Magomed Daudov, to businessmen:

"When we rightly equate drunk drivers with terrorists, we can only speak of those who supply them with alcohol as accomplices of terrorists."

Think, modern Russia there is something to learn from the Caucasus. Less alcohol, more sports and respect for elders - it's that easy!

That's all for today! What interesting facts about the Caucasus do you know? Leave your comments.

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Region on the border of Europe and Asia, between the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas. Consists of the Caucasus Mountains, the adjacent regions of the North Caucasus and South Caucasus. On this moment North Caucasus is almost entirely part of Russia, with the exception of a few gorges belonging to Georgia. The South Caucasus is divided between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, as well as the partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Caucasus is not only a natural geographical border between Europe and Asia, the Near and Middle East, but also an ancient transport artery and a source of strategic natural energy resources - oil and gas.

The Caucasus is located on the border of the temperate and subtropical climatic zones... The mountain system of the Greater Caucasus sharpens the border between them, making it difficult to transfer cold air masses from north to south, in Transcaucasia, and warm from south to north, in Ciscaucasia. The mountainous barrier in the form of the Greater Caucasus is especially noticeable in winter, when the Ciscaucasia is filled with cold air masses coming from the north and northeast, and the Transcaucasia is protected from their invasion.

The distribution of landscapes in the mountains is subject to laws altitudinal zonality... Subtropical forest landscapes are common in the lower tier of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the northern slope of the Lesser Caucasus and the Talysh mountains. Low-mountain landscapes are developed in the western regions of the Caucasus and in the Talysh mountains. humid subtropics with red and yellow earth soils, broadleaf forests varied floristic composition, evergreen shrubs in the undergrowth and lianas. The fauna of the Talysh Mountains is associated with the fauna of the Kopetdag and more southern territories (leopard, porcupine, etc.). In the Eastern Transcaucasia (mountainous area of ​​the Kura depression), subtropical forests are xerophytic in nature and grow on mountain brown soils.

Mountain-forest landscapes are dominant in the mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. The lower part of the mountain-forest belt in Transcaucasia, above the subtropical forest landscapes, forms oak forests with hornbeam, higher - beech forests with hornbeams, occupying the middle mountains of the Talysh mountains. Above them, in the western parts of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, are common dark coniferous forests(from Caucasian spruce and fir), there are pine forests on the northern slope of the Central Caucasus and partly in the Eastern Caucasus. Mountain forest brown soils prevail in the mountain forests of the Caucasus. Mountain forests serve as a source valuable wood, play a large soil and water protection role. Mountain-steppe landscapes with mountain chernozems are widespread in the middle mountains of the northern slope of the Eastern Caucasus (Dagestan) and partly in the Central Caucasus, as well as on the lava plateaus and plains of the Armenian Highlands.

The highlands of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the Armenian Highlands are occupied by mountain meadow landscapes (in the most continental regions, meadow-steppe landscapes). High-grass meadows of the subalpine belt on typical mountain meadow soils are used for haymaking and occasional grazing, low-grass meadows and carpets of the alpine belt on mountain meadow peaty soils serve as summer pastures. The upper, subnival part of the mountain meadow belt has a fragmented soil and vegetation cover. On the highest ridges of the Greater Caucasus, partly in the Armenian Highlands (Aragats, Zangezur Range), a glacial-nival landscape is widespread. The mountainous regions of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus are inhabited by forest and alpine fauna, including endemic species (West Caucasian and Dagestan turs, Caucasian black grouse, Caucasian snowcock) and even genera (Prometheus mouse), as well as forms common with Western European ones (chamois, red deer, etc. etc.) and widespread (bear, lynx, fox). The mountain fauna of the Armenian Highlands is associated with Asia Minor (the Asia Minor ground squirrel, the Asia Minor mountain jerboa, etc.).

The Greater Caucasus covers one hundred and forty-five thousand square kilometers. It is a whole system of mountain ranges of various lengths and heights that run parallel to the Main Ridge. The western part of the Greater Caucasus begins with low, soft-outlined ridges near the Taman Peninsula, which expand and grow as they approach Elbrus. Here, between Elbrus and Kazbek, lies the region of the highest peaks, the region of snow and ice; it is called the Central Caucasus. The side ridge along its entire length splits into a series of powerful mountain ranges, some of which are connected to the Main ridge by high ridges-jumper. The massifs of the Lateral Range are separated from each other by deep gorges of mountain rivers and are crowned with the peaks of Elbrus and Kazbek. Kazbek closes it in the east, and to the Absheron Peninsula Eastern The Greater Caucasus is declining again, although not as gradually as the western one. The peaks of Kazbek rise on the northern slopes of the central part of the Greater Caucasus. Along the Main Ridge, there are four parallel mountain ranges: two low ridges of the Black Mountains - Lesisty and Pasture - are replaced by a higher Rocky ridge, which with its steep southern slope breaks off to the last (before the Main) Lateral ridge.

The Kazbek massif, as already mentioned, closes the central part of the Greater Caucasus in the east. Its neighbors along the Lateral Ridge in the east are the Kuro-Shino ridge, in the west - the Tepli and Adai-khokha groups; in the south - a high ridge-jumper with the Trusso pass (3140 m) connects the Kazbek massif with the Main ridge. The Terek and Ardon rivers originate from this ridge. The first of them bends around the Kazbek massif from the southeast and through Daryal rushes to the city of Ordzhonikidze (hereinafter - renamed to Vladikavkaz. Ed. E. Manukyants), and the second, from the southwest, bends around both Kazbek and the Tepli group , reaching the connection with the Terek to the Ordzhonikidzenskaya depression through the Kassar gorge (on the Ossetian Military Highway).

The two-headed Elbrus, the highest point of Russia and Europe, is located at the junction of the borders of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. The western peak of Elbrus rises above sea level by 5642 meters, the eastern one - by 5621 meters. The peaks are separated by a deep saddle. Elbrus is located several kilometers north of the Main Caucasian ridge and is connected to it by a ridge-bridge. Elbrus was once a volcano, but many millennia ago it went extinct and covered with glaciers. Only mineral springs, some of which are thermal, and the release of sulphate and chloride gases here and there on the slopes of the eastern summit remind us that Elbrus once spewed lava. Elbrus is famous for its huge glaciers that feed valley and mountain rivers. The glaciated area of ​​the mountain is 144 square kilometers. Largest rivers Kuban, Malka and Baksan are very important for hydropower Agriculture south of Russia. But over the past hundred years, glaciers have steadily receded.

For the first time Elbrus was conquered on July 22, 1829 by the Kabardian Kilar Khashirov, the guide of the Russian military expedition led by General Georgy Emanuel. The expedition included geologist Adolf Kupfer, physicist Emilius Lenz, zoologist Eduard Menetrie, botanist Karl Meyer, artist-architect Joseph Bernardazzi, traveler Janos Besse, guides and a group of Cossacks. Kupfer, Menetrie, Meyer, Bernardazzi turned back from the mark 4270. Lenz, the Cossack Lysenkov and the Balkarian guide Akhiya Sottaev reached an altitude of 5300 meters. Then one Kilar Khashirov went. When he reached the top, a rifle salute was given. After the descent, he was presented with a hundred rubles and a cut for a Circassian coat. Subsequently, two commemorative cast-iron slabs were installed in the Pyatigorsk Park "Flower Garden".

Pendulum and chair cable car lead to the "Barrels" shelter, located at an altitude of 3750 meters. At an altitude of 4100 meters there is a high-altitude hotel "Shelter 11". Further on are the Pastukhov Rocks, the Ice Field (in winter) and the Slanting Regiment. Then the route goes up through the saddle. From there it is about 500 meters to the summit. Caucasus mountain landscape health resort

At any time of the year, the Elbrus region is of great interest for travelers. In the summer, these are tours to Elbrus and hikes in the gorges Baksan, Irik-Chat, Adyl-Su, Adyr-Su, in winter and spring Ski Tours to Elbrus and skiing are popular, in winter climbers climb Elbrus in preparation for climbing in Himalayas and Pamirs.

Snow cave in the Western Caucasus, which is the third deepest cave in the world (-1753 m) and is considered the most difficult in the territory of the former USSR and the most difficult phonetic cave in the world. Located in one of the spurs of the Bzyb ridge in the thickness

The depth of the cave is 1753 m, the total length of the passages is about 26 kilometers. In the Great Hall there is the largest underground snow-glacier in Europe - a snow-ice cone with a height of about 50 m. In the bottom part there are the Throne Hall and Hall X - the largest underground halls in Abkhazia. Their dimensions: Throne Hall - 309 m by 109 m with a ceiling height of up to 40 m; Hall X - 250 m by 70 m with a ceiling height of up to 50 m. Three large underground waterfalls: Irkutsk (the height of two falls of the waterfall is 45 m), Record (25 m) and Olympic (32 m). A giant block collapse in the bottom part - a 127 m high Metrostroy dam. Most of the route to the bottom part goes along underground river(the length is more than 7 km, the water consumption during the low-water period is from 50 l / s in the upper reaches, up to 200 l / s in the bottom part). Diamond Gallery - a side passage of the cave at a depth of 750 m, covered with large gypsum crystals for 100 m. Flower passage - a passage in a blockage covered with white crystals of hydromagnesite.

Its three entrances are located at heights of 1970, 2015 and 2389 meters above sea level on the slopes of Hipst, 10 km north of the village of Duripsh Gudauta region of Abkhazia... The plateau offers a beautiful view of Black sea coast Caucasus from Novy Afon to Cape Pitsunda.

You can walk to the cave along a 15-kilometer cattle-breeding trail from the Abkhazian village of Duripsh. Part of the trail goes through a century-old beech forest, then along mountain meadows.

The New Athos Cave (originally - the Anakopian Abyss) (Abkh. Athos? Ytst? And a? A? S) is one of the largest caves in Abkhazia. It is located under the slope of the Iverskaya Mountain. It is a huge karst cavity with a volume of about 1 million m3. Near the cave there is the New Athos Monastery and the Temple of Simon the Canaanite.

The income from excursions to the New Athos cave is about half of the budget of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Krubera-Voronya is the deepest in currently Peace cave (depth 2191 m), located in the Arabica mountain range in Abkhazia.

The entrance to the cave is located at an altitude of about 2250 m above sea level in the Orto Balagan tract. A karst cave of subvertical type, it is a series of wells, connected by climbs and galleries. The deepest plumb lines: 115, 110, 152 m. At a depth of 200 m, the cave branches into two main branches: the Nekuibyshevskaya (in 2010 the depth is 1697 m) and the Main branch (the current depth is 2191 m)]. Starting from a depth of 1300 m, the main branch branches out into many other branches. More than 8 siphons are known in the bottom part (located at depths from 1400 to 2144 m). The cave is located in a limestone strata, and the bottom part from a depth of 1600 m is laid in black limestones. The shortest river in the world, the Reprua, feeds on the waters of the Krubera-Voronya cave.

Uplistsikhe is carved into a rock located 12 km east of the city of Gori on the left bank of the Kura River. The city arose at the end of the 2nd - at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e., experienced several ups and downs, was finally abandoned in the 19th century and is thus a multi-layered archaeological site, one of the most important monuments of Georgian culture. The uniqueness of the monument lies in the fact that, thanks to its structure, it has preserved the remains of architectural and religious structures built over several millennia. During its heyday, Uplistsikhe included more than 700 caves and cave structures, of which only 150 have survived to this day.

Uplistsikhe of the Hellenistic period existed at the expense of various donations, gifts and sacrifices of a religious nature. The main area of ​​the city was allocated to religious buildings, the number of residential premises was small, they were not given of great importance... Winemaking was carried out inside the city, but not for practical reasons, but for cult reasons. Apparently, the wine produced here was considered sacred. In the Hellenistic period, Uplistsikhe was surrounded by forests, and grapes were brought to the city from afar, specially raised to the southwestern slope, where the main press was equipped. In the northern part of the city there was a large wine storage ("Big Marani"), designed for 58 large crucians. Several small wine storage facilities were also adjacent to large religious buildings in the central part of the city.

The Caucasus Mountains are an important geographic point in Eurasia, dividing Europe and Asia. Even in ancient times, the Caucasus attracted the attention of many rulers and geographers. It is here that the highest mountain in Europe, Elbrus, is located, which is known all over the world, as climbers from all countries are trying to conquer a two-headed extinct volcano.

Since ancient times, local residents have known about medicinal properties waters in the springs of the Caucasus. The beauty of the majestic mountains, with peaks covered with eternal snow, and the medicinal mineral water became the basis for the development of tourism in the region. Now the region of the Central and Western Caucasus is known for such resorts as Dombay, Teberda, Elbrus, Arkhyz, etc., which offer opportunities for recreation all year round: from different types sports (alpine skiing, slalom, mountaineering, hiking, rafting, etc.) to therapeutic recreation in balneological and climatic resorts.

Many people know that the Caucasus is an all-Russian health resort that perfectly combines natural beauty, hospitality of the people of the Caucasus, wonderful cuisine, mountains and sea. The Caucasus has many ski resorts... This way, alpine skiing connoisseurs can have a great time on Elbrus or Dombai.

Note that the choice of hotels and inns is very wide. Accommodation at the hotel will cost about a thousand rubles a day. Note that the price also includes dinner and breakfast.

It should be noted that the most dear city considered Dombay. However, we dare to assure that this city has exactly what is so necessary for lovers of active ski holidays, both for beginners and professionals. In the event that you do not have the necessary equipment, you can rent it.

The media often intimidates tourists about the conflicts in the Caucasus, but it is worth noting that at present there is nothing to fear and nothing will darken your holiday. After all, there is nothing better than having a rest in the Caucasus.

Mount Ushba, which rises high above the Shkheldinsky gorge, is considered one of the most popular massifs located in the Glavnoye area. Two peaks (North and South) are separated by the Ushbinsky cofferdam, nicknamed "pipe" by climbers for the strong winds constantly walking in it. The mountain with a legendary past is still shrouded in a cloud of grandeur and mystery to this day.

Meaning of the name

The difficulty of the relief, the history of conquest - all this gave her a very frightening name, which translates as "the coven of witches". But Ushba, the killer mountain, is also known under one more name. This name has stuck with it from ancient times to the present day. She became famous for her strict disposition and unpredictable character... It happens that the ascent to the top from just a difficult job develops into a hard struggle for life. Nevertheless, throughout the history of mountaineering and mountain sports, Mount Ushba beckons with its splendor. Anyone who has seen this wonderful place at least once will not be able to forget the wonderful feeling of its enchanting appearance.

Description

The mysterious and alluring Caucasus offers a wonderful view from the slopes of Elbrus, but Mount Ushba is capricious and famous for its inconsistent weather. If the day is clear throughout the Caucasus and the tops of all peaks are clearly visible, then this beauty can be shrouded in fog. In order to see it from Elbrus, you often need to wait for several days. The coven of witches doesn't need popularity.

But when suddenly the mountain queen wants to appear because of her white robes, then you can enjoy a mesmerizing wonderful sight. Nearly two kilometers of pink granite and gneiss cliffs loom over emerald meadows and a glacier sparkling with diamond light. This is unrealistic to imagine even with a very violent fantasy. You can enjoy all the views that Mount Ushba is capable of giving only by looking at it with your own eyes.

Legend

The crimson walls of the regal mountain of steel main theme a very wonderful story that the locals love to retell.

The hunter Betkel lived a long time ago. His marvelous appearance, youth and courageous character attracted good luck: he constantly brought prey from the hunt. Once the young man made a decision to climb the mountain Sabbat of witches. All the villagers began to persuade him, but nothing came of it. When Betkel approached the glacier itself, the Georgian goddess of the hunt Dali appeared in front of him. She really liked this brave young man, and she did everything to make him fall in love with herself.

Betkel lived a long time happy life with her goddess. But one day, when the clouds dissolved, he looked down and saw the familiar walls of his settlement. Grieving, the young man quietly fled from Dali. In his native village, he met the most beautiful girl in Svaneti and decided to marry her. A wild tour came to the wedding celebration from the mountains, and the young man decided to shoot him in honor of the holiday. For a long time he ran after the tour, not thinking about where the road leads.

The hunter climbed very high on the slopes of Ushba when the tour evaporated. Betkil guessed that he had fallen into Dali's trap. The whole village came to the foot of the cliff, where the young man climbed. He asked the residents to perform a wedding and funeral ritual, and then fell off a cliff, painting it the color of his blood. Since then, hunters were forbidden to climb there, and Dali never appeared in front of people again.

Difficulty climbing

Mount Ushba is also striking in its size. The height of its Northern summit reaches 4690 m, the South one - 4710 m. Both of them are covered with a thick snow cover. Despite this, more than half of the route to the point of 2700 m is easy to drive by car. Of course, you need an SUV for this. The most good option there will be a "UAZ", which is not called an all-terrain vehicle for nothing. Its cross-country ability in these places is much better than that of the famous jeeps. Large foreign cars simply won't pass on a very narrow road.

Not everyone can control Mount Ushba. Climbing it is possible only for experienced rock climbers who have already climbed to the peaks of the highest category of difficulty more than once. Climbers have to overcome technically difficult highlands. You can hire a good guide or climb on your own.

If you decide to storm these peaks, you need to know well the Ushbinsky Icefall, since it is full of cracks. In periods suitable for climbing, they do not disappear anywhere, but become more noticeable. These are the most dangerous places, in this regard, the mysterious beauty received her sad nickname Ushba - the killer mountain.

Pride of Svaneti

All Svaneti, mountainous country, characterized by a free character, nature itself presented in the form of Ushba. In the Central Caucasus, there is no greater reason for pride and respect than climbing this mountain inaccessible for a mere mortal. It is for this that many people appreciate such places.

For Russian amateurs mountain peaks that have the opportunity to see Ushba from another territory, from the north, this massif does not have such a mythical halo as for the inhabitants of Svaneti. Nevertheless, the image of the mountain attracts the eyes and at the same time scares. A huge two-headed peak, as a ruler, reigns over the entire territory of the Caucasian ridge. And there is no doubt that she is a queen, tall, stately and unapproachable. This is Mount Ushba. Georgia can be proud of this creation of nature.

Around the massif there are steep one and a half-kilometer walls, along which the routes pass different levels difficulties. At the moment, about five hundred routes have been laid on Ushba.

The easiest, which has become the standard, route to Northern Ushba is the route of category 4a. It passes through the Ushba plateau, through a place called "pillow", and then three hundred meters along a steep slope with an ice-snow surface stretches to the summit ridge. There is ice under the snow cover, and if there was a blizzard before the rise, there is a threat of avalanches. Along the long northern ridge, there are double cornices designed by the very nature at the peak of the mountain. The ascent from the Ushba plateau to the summit takes about eight hours, and half the time is required for the return journey.

Outlaw

The famous Mount Ushba, where there are many difficult, but at the same time interesting routes, is a wonderful dream of many climbers, is now considered illegal. There is one very important point. It so happened that the mountain popular all over the planet, an integral part of the history of Soviet, and nowadays Russian mountain sports, is now banned, and climbing it is considered a grave violation. There is nothing to be done - at the moment the situation is such that the state border runs within the short southern spur of the Main Caucasian ridge.