According to UNESCO, the western Caucasus mountains in southern Russia, close to the winter resort of Sochi, form the only large mountain area in Europe that has not experienced significant human impact. These rugged mountains encompass a range of landscapes, from glaciers to lowlands, and are home to many different animal and plant species, from Nordmann Firs (at 85 metres or 279 feet high, said to be the tallest trees in Europe) to Persian leopards, which were recently reintroduced back into the wild here.
