Which mountain range forms a major part of the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the physical geography that separates two continents, Europe and Asia. Although Europe and Asia form one continuous landmass called Eurasia, geographers traditionally use certain natural features such as mountain ranges, seas, and rivers as boundaries between them. One particular mountain range running through Russia is commonly cited as a major dividing line. The question asks you to identify that range.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The continents in question are Europe and Asia.
• The options include Caspian Mountains, Ural Mountains, Himalayan Mountains, and Carpathian Mountains.
• We assume the standard school level definition of the Europe Asia boundary.
• The boundary is conventionally drawn along a combination of mountains, rivers, and seas.

Concept / Approach:
The Ural Mountains in Russia run roughly north south and are widely accepted as one of the main physical features that separate the European part of Russia from the Asian part. Traditional boundaries between Europe and Asia usually follow the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus region, and parts of the Black Sea and other waterways. The Himalayas lie far to the south and mark the boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau, not between Europe and Asia as a whole. The Carpathians are within Europe, and Caspian Mountains is not a standard name for a major range.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the general map of Eurasia and the fact that Russia spans both Europe and Asia. Step 2: Remember that geographers traditionally use the Ural Mountains as a key dividing line between European Russia and Asian Russia. Step 3: Examine the options. The Ural Mountains stand out as the range most often mentioned in this context. Step 4: Recognise that the Himalayas form a barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia, not between Europe and Asia, and that the Carpathians are located entirely within Europe. Step 5: Note that Caspian Mountains is not a widely used term for a continental boundary, so select Ural Mountains as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at any school atlas, you will see the Europe Asia boundary running along the Ural Mountains. Textbooks describing Russia often divide it into European and Asian sections based on this range. In contrast, the Himalayas are discussed in relation to South Asia, and the Carpathians appear in maps of central and eastern Europe. These visual references confirm that the Ural Mountains are the key range separating Europe from Asia in the traditional scheme.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Caspian Mountains, is not a standard geographic term and may confuse learners who associate the Caspian Sea with boundaries but not an entire mountain range. Option C, Himalayan Mountains, form a boundary within Asia rather than between Europe and Asia. Option D, Carpathian Mountains, lie in central and eastern Europe and do not mark any continental boundary. These options are therefore incorrect for this specific question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose the Himalayas simply because they are famous and very high, without considering their actual location. Another pitfall is to assume that any mountain range near the Caspian Sea must form the continental border. To avoid such errors, remember a short list of Europe Asia boundary elements, starting with the Ural Mountains and including the Ural River and the Caucasus region.

Final Answer:
The mountain range that separates Europe from Asia in the traditional sense is the Ural Mountains.