Which mountain range contains Mount Elbrus, often listed as Europe's highest peak?

The Caucasus Mountains contain Mount Elbrus, often listed as Europe's highest peak. Elbrus rises to 5,642 meters and is located in southern Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region.

Elbrus is a dormant stratovolcano with two summits. Its western summit is the higher one at 5,642 meters, while the eastern summit reaches 5,621 meters. Both summits are volcanic domes covered by snow and ice.

The answer can seem surprising because the Caucasus lie at the boundary of Europe and Asia. The watershed of the Greater Caucasus is commonly used as the continental divide, placing Elbrus on the European side. Under definitions that exclude the Caucasus, Mont Blanc is considered Europe's highest peak instead.

Elbrus is also Russia's highest mountain and one of the Seven Summits. Its first recorded ascent of the eastern summit took place in 1829; the western summit was climbed in 1874.