Talysh Mountains


Talysh Mountains

 

a mountain range in the southeastern Caucasus, in the Azerbaijan SSR, on the border with Iran. The Talysh Mountains are a continuation of the Lesser Caucasus system, from which they are separated by a depression through which the lower course of the Araks River flows.

The Talysh Mountains consist of three longitudinal ridges. The predominant height of the main crest is 2,000–2,200 m, and the highest point is Mount Kiumiurkei, at 2,477 m. The Talysh Mountains are composed of flysch and volcanic strata with intrusions of basic rocks. There is seismic activity in the mountains. The eastern slopes, up to an elevation of 600 m, have subtropical forests; at higher elevations the forests are mostly of beech. The main crest has mountain xerophytic and mountain meadow-steppe vegetation.