ABSTRACT
This book provides an introduction to the discipline of Caucasian studies, i.e. the multi-disciplinary study on all issues relating to the Caucasus (the term should not be confused with Caucasiology, which deals only with the Caucasian language family). It does not look at countries separately, because state borders do not coincide with ethnic or geographical borders. Furthermore, North and South Caucasus, which are often falsely perceived as separate regions when it comes to geography, history, politics or economy, should be considered as one single entity. The main Caucasus mountain range is the centrepiece of the Caucasus and not a dividing line. The region can truly be called a paradise for academics and researchers, as it is complex in every possible aspect. Not only do the ethnolinguistic variations and many conflicts make it difficult to get a general overview, but also the history and geography are extremely diverse. On account of this complexity, especially in terms of ethnolinguistics, the Arabs in the Middle Ages called the Caucasus jabal al-sun, or the Mountain of Tongues.
