The People of the Caucausus Region

The Caucasus region sits between the Black Sea on the West and the Caspian Sea on the East. The Caucasus region comprises Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and southern parts of Russia (Krasnodar Krai, Stavropol Krai, and the autonomous republics of Adygea, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya, and Dagestan). There are also three territories (Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia), who claim independence but are not recognized by the international community.

In Caucasus region, there are more than 50 ethnic groups. These ethnic groups divided into three groups :
1. Caucasian peoples
2. Altaic peoples, and
3. Indo - European peoples.
Each ethic groups has their own culture. Such as Georgian (Caucasian) are different to Azeri (Altaic people), then Armenian (Indo - European people) are different to Abkhaz (Caucasian). The other distinctions can be noted, for example between Ingushetia ( followers of the Islam faith ), and North Ossetia ( followers of the Christian faith).

Caucasian Peoples, divided into North Caucasian People (Abkhaz, Adyghe, Chechens, Ingush, Avars, etc) and South Caucasian Peoples (Georgian). Caucasian Peoples is non-Indo European Ethnic Groups. Even in the bible, makes mention of Tubal-cain (Cain descendent), who is associated with caucasian tribes. Today, the primary religion among Caucasian peoples is Islam (North Caucasian people) and Christianity (South caucasian people). Most of the North caucasian peoples lived at Dagestan. Georgians are the only Caucasian people that have their own independent state - Georgia.

Altaic Peoples in Caucasus region, divided into Turkic peoples (Azeris, Karachay, Balkars, etc) and Mongolic Peoples (Kalmyk). Altaic peoples are the peoples who speak Altaic languages. They came from Altai Mountain in Central Asia. Turkic Peoples are followers of the Islam faith, while Mongolic peoples (Kalmyk) are Buddish. Azeris are the only Altaic people that have their own independent state - Azerbaijan.

Indo - European peoples in this region are Armenian, Ossetian, Kurds and Russian. They speak Indo-European language of the Iranian branch. Most of the Indo - European peoples today are Christians. but, there are a minority of Indo - European peoples profess Sunni Islam, or Yazidism (The Yazidi Kurds). Armenian are the only Indo -European people that have their own independent state - Armenia.

Caucasus is characterized by territorial complexity and high ethnic diversity. Caucasus also has many shades and differences. Each ethnic has its own history, often conflicting with their neighbours' version of history. Thats why, today, Caucasus is a sensitive region. This region is the theatre of several internal and regional armed conflicts, such as Armenian - Azeri conflict, Chechens - Russian conflict, Abkhaz - Georgian conflict, Ossetian - Chechen conflict, etc.