mountain range between Europe and the Middle East, from Latin Caucasus, from Greek kaukasis, said by Pliny ("Natural History," book six, chap. XVII) to be from a Scythian word similar to kroy-khasis, literally "(the mountain) ice-shining, white with snow." But possibly from a Pelasgian root *kau- meaning "mountain."
Mountain range extending from the Black Sea southeast to the Caspian Sea, through extreme southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Note: It forms part of the traditional border between Europe and Asia.
Note: Oil is its major resource. In World War II, the Germans tried to seize or neutralize this resource but were driven back by the Soviets.