almost entirely endemic groups of animals such as lizards of genus Darevskia. In general, species composition of this refugium is quite distinct and differs from that of the other Western Eurasian refugia. The natural landscape is one of mixed forest, with substantial areas of rocky ground above the treeline. The Caucasus Mountains are also noted for a dog breed, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Rus. Kavkazskaya Ovcharka, Geo. Nagazi). Vincent Evans noted that minke whales have been recorded from the Black Sea. Energy and mineral resources The Caucasus has many economically important minerals and energy resources, such as gold, silver, copper, iron ore, manganese, tungsten, zinc, oil, natural gas, and coal (both anthracite coal and brown). Sport Krasnaya Polyana is a popular centre of mountain skiing and a snowboard venue. The 2015 European Games is the first in the history of the European Games to be held in Azerbaijan. Mountain-skiing complexes include: Alpika-Service Mountain roundabout Rosa Hutor Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort in Armenia Shahdag Winter Complex in Azerbaijan The 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix (motor racing) was the first in the history of Formula One to be held in Azerbaijan. The 2017 World Rugby Under 20 Championship was held in Georgia. In 2017 the U-19 Europe Championship (Football) was held in Georgia. See also Caucasian cuisine Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations Culture of Armenia Culture of Azerbaijan Culture of Georgia (country) Eastern Partnership Eurasian Economic Union Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Khanates of the Caucasus Prometheism Regions of Europe Transcontinental nations Tourism-related links Tourism in Armenia Tourism in Azerbaijan Tourism in Georgia Tourism in Russia References Sources Bachvarova, Mary R., From Hittite to Homer: The Anatolian Background of Ancient Greek Epic, Cambridge University Press, 2016. . Colarusso, John, Nart Sagas from the Caucasus: Myths and Legends from the Circassians, Abazas, Abkhaz, and Ubykhs, Princeton University Press, 2002, 2014. . Cornell, Susan E., Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus. Golvin, Ivan, The Caucasus. Griffin, Nicholas, Caucasus: A Journey to the Land Between Christianity and Islam, University of Chicago Press, 2004. . Hunt, David, Legends of the Caucasus, Saqi Books, London, 2012. . Mayor, Adrienne (2016), "Introduction to the Paperback Edition" in Nart Sagas: Ancient Myths and Legends of the Circassians and Abkhazians, by John Colarusso, Princeton University Press, 2016. . Further reading Dubrovin, Nikolai F. The history of wars and Russian domination in the Caucasus (История войны