North Ossetia (05.2011)

Located in the volatile North Caucasus, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania is one of Russia's smallest regions. Since the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the Caucasus have become synonymous with conflict and strife, and North Ossetia, which shares borders with Chechnya, Ingushetia and Georgia, has become home to thousands of refugees seeking to escape State and ethnic disputes. To this day, these proud mountain people maintain their traditions and patriarchal way of life.