Because the Ural Mountains are recognized as the boundary between Europe and Asia, Armenians and other nations, particularly in the Caucasus, have wondered about the recent designation of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as European countries. History shows that Europe’s boundaries have been elastic. The original boundary between Europe and Asia was River Don (thus placing most of Russia in Asia). At the end of 15th century it advanced to the banks of the Volga River. By the 16th century it had reached River Ob and in the 19th century to the Urals. In the 20th century it moved to the banks of the Rivers Emba and Kerch.
Because the Ural Mountains are recognized as the boundary between Europe and Asia, Armenians and other nations, particularly in the Caucasus, have wondered about the recent designation of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as European countries. History shows that Europe’s boundaries have been elastic. The original boundary between Europe and Asia was River Don (thus placing most of Russia in Asia). At the end of 15th century it advanced to the banks of the Volga River. By the 16th century it had reached River Ob and in the 19th century to the Urals. In the 20th century it moved to the banks of the Rivers Emba and Kerch.