Russia's sheer geographic vastness can allow for whole Europe-sized regions to pass mostly below the world's radar. The Russian south is one of these regions. Stretching east from the Ukrainian border to the lower Volga region, the Russian south includes the south Russian steppe and the diverse republics of the North Caucasus. These "autonomous" republics cluster along the northern slopes of the Caucasus mountains (which were most recently seen as a backdrop to the Sochi Olympics). The region is home to several dozen nationalities, speaking a number of languages from divergent language families.
The region sits at the boundary of three great empires -- the Ottoman, the Persian, and the Russian. All three have influenced the region significantly, and their successor states of Iran, Turkey, and the Russian Federation continue to influence the region today.
Just a few images of travels through several of these republics...
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The Kuban River Valley - south of Cherkessk,
Karachay-Cherkess Republic |
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| The town of Karachaevsk, with typical Caucasian mosque |
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View of Mt. Elbrus, on the Russian-Georgian border.
The tallest peak in Europe (18,500 feet, 5,600 meters) |
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The Terek River - central Vladikavkaz,
North Ossetia-Alania Republic |
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A rushing mountain stream
Mizur, North Ossetia-Alania Republic |
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Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque - central Grozny
Chechnya Republic |
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| Grozny City - Chechnya Republic |
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