Why does the Caucasus have such a large number of languages in a small area?

The Caucasus region is renowned for its remarkable linguistic diversity, a phenomenon that has historically earned it the name Jabal Al-Alsun, or "Mountain of Languages".1

The primary reason for this high concentration of languages in such a small area is the region's rugged geography combined with its turbulent history. Throughout centuries of successive invasions by various groups—including Scythians, Huns, Mongols, and others—the mountainous terrain provided a natural sanctuary. Under pressure from stronger neighbors, individual ethnic groups frequently retreated into isolated ravines and remote mountain ranges.21

This geographic isolation allowed these groups to preserve their distinct cultures and languages over long periods, preventing them from being assimilated by larger, dominant populations. Consequently, while the region has served as a historical link between Europe and Asia, the physical barriers of the Caucasus mountains have acted as a refuge, fostering the survival of more than 50 distinct peoples and numerous indigenous language families, including the Northwest Caucasian, Northeast Caucasian, and South Caucasian groups.213