The Caucasus region contains the Caucasus mountain range, located between the Black and Caspian Seas, and it is commonly recognized as the border between Europe and Asia. It is home to the three sovereign states of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the three unrecognized self-declared states of Ahkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as seven internal Russian republics. The sovereign states make up the southern regions, while the Russian Federation controls the northern parts of this area.
The Caucasus is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, home to several ethnic groups and languages, and is therefore known for its conflict. The media tends to portray the area as isolated and violent. Of the several languages spoken in the area, Russian has emerged as the common language. As for religion, natives tend to be either Eastern Orthodox Christians, Oriental Orothodox Christians or Sunni Muslims.
The word "Caucasian" itself has some confusion attached to it. While it historically refers to the Caucasus region, many people tend to think instead of the "white" racial identity more affiliated with Europe. Along with this, geographers do not agree on exactly how to identify the Caucasus on a map: in Europe, Asia or the Middle East. It is generally grouped with Russia, although most natives of Georgia and Armenia would prefer to be thought of as Europeans.
