Elbrus is the highest point not only in the Caucasus Mountains, but throughout Europe. The two-headed snow-capped peak rises approximately in the center of the Greater Caucasus Range on the borders of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in southern Russia.
Mountain Elbrus
Elbrus is a large stratovolcano composed of layers of lava and volcanic ash. It has a conical shape with two vertices located at approximately the same height. The western peak of Elbrus rises 5642 meters above sea level, the eastern one is slightly lower, at 5621 meters. The peaks are separated by a gentle saddle about 5300 meters above sea level and are located three kilometers from each other.
Elbrus is considered an extinct volcano, but the last eruption occurred not so long ago from a geological point of view - at the beginning of our era, approximately in the first or second century.
There are several versions about the origin of the name of the mountain. According to one of them, "Elbrus" means "high mountain" or "sparkling mountain" in Iranian. Karachais and Balkars, who have been living in the Caucasus in the Elbrus region for a long time, call this volcano Mingi-tau, which translates as "eternal mountain".
The geographical location of Elbrus
The Caucasus Mountains are divided into two parts: the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. The Greater Caucasus Range passes on the border of Russia with other southern countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan) from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. The territory of the Greater Caucasus on the Russian side is divided into several republics and regions: these are Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, North Ossetia. Elbrus is located on the border of the Kabardino-Balkarian and Karachay-Cherkess republics.
A few kilometers south of the foot of the volcano lies the border of Russia with Georgia.
The mountain is located in the northern part of the ridge at a distance from the other peaks, so it is perfectly visible from all sides of the Ciscaucasia - a two-headed cone is visible even a hundred kilometers away. Elbrus is the border between the Central and Western Caucasus. The western part of the mountain system runs from Elbrus to the Black Sea coast, the central one lies between this peak and Kazbek.
The volcano is surrounded by several gorges - Adylsu, Adyrsu, Shkhelda, glacial massifs and mountains. The area at the foot of Elbrus and in the area of the upper reaches of the Baksan River, which is part of the Terek basin, is called the Elbrus region. This is a resort region and a protected area with unique natural beauty, healing mineral water springs and excellent opportunities for skiing and hiking.
The borders between Europe and Asia are not precisely defined, and if we consider the Caucasus Range as the border, then Elbrus is the highest point in Europe. Otherwise, this title belongs to Mont Blanc in the Alps.
