The Caucasus is perhaps one of the most exciting regions in Northern Eurasia. It has
everything a geographer may want, from active tectonics to ancient culture. The Caucasus
has attracted the attention of geologists, geographers, biologists, archaeologists, and
anthropologists for years. Many aspects of the physical geography of the Caucasus are
relatively well researched. For example, much is known about the contemporary vegetation
of the region which is among the oldest and the richest in the FSU. For years, the region
has hosted many national and international glaciological projects. Other aspects of the
natural environment received less attention. Most notably, our knowledge of the Quaternary
environments in the Caucasus is still very imperfect. Not only the physical but also the
human resources of the region are extremely rich. The National Academies of Science of
Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, which are known worldwide, have always been actively
involved in research on the natural and cultural environments of the region and have a
tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience. It is important that the current political
instability and economic problems experienced in the Caucasus do not disrupt the
long-established traditions of academic research and collaboration.
