For Dagestanis the Caspian coastline continues to be an important center of collective history cultural exchange and natural resources Two of Dagestan’s most important modern cities Derbent and Makhachkala are situated on its shores The Caspian Sea offers plentiful economic resources for Dagestan with its rich oil and natural gas reserves critical habitat for native species and popular seaside tourist attractions MANY ETHNICITIES Dagestan is remarkable for its range of cultures and languages as a multinational republic It is the most ethnically diverse entity in the Russian Federation Members of more than 30 indigenous ethnic groups and 110 nationalities live in Dagestan The republic has 14 official languages belonging to the 14 most populous ethnic groups in the area The five largest ethnic groups are Avars Dargins Kumyks Lezgins and Laks Indigenous peoples their unique cultural and religious traditions and their interaction with outside powers have created a deep legacy in Dagestan Five locations in Derbent are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of their historic and cultural importance These include the ancient wall of Derbent the Derbent Lighthouse the Juma Mosque Naryn-Kala in the Derbent Fortress and the Armenian Church of the Holy Savior The artisan crafts of many indigenous groups are also distinctive hallmarks of Dagestani culture Handwoven carpets from southern Dagestan are known around the world for their exquisite artistry Goldsmiths silversmiths potters woodworkers and weavers have strong ties to the ethnic communities that have sustained a legacy of excellence in each field for centuries SEEKING STABILITY Only a small portion of Dagestan’s population survives in the highlands today but the majority of people still live outside of the republic’s major cities Raising livestock growing crops and other agricultural activities employ a large portion of Dagestan’s workforce However the area continues to suffer from 8 Dagestan
economic setbacks unemployment and poverty Dagestan is one of the poorest republics in Russia A turbulent history of invasion and political struggle from ancient times to the more recent Chechen Wars have led to poverty corruption and conflict in Dagestan Ongoing violence related to ethnic and religious tensions have given Dagestan an international reputation as a dangerous place to live and visit Violence reached new levels after the Second Chechen War Then religious extremism plagued the republic as fundamentalist Islamic factions gained support in the region Dagestan also made international headlines in 2013 when ties between the Boston Marathon bombing in the United States and Dagestan came to light Although religious radicals have harmed the republic Dagestan’s identity as a majority-Muslim republic has helped it to weather social and political changes With more than 90 percent of the population sharing a common bond of religion attitudes toward ethnic and cultural differences are more open Dagestan may be perceived by some as a dangerous land but it also has a reputation for exceptional hospitality Travelers to the remote region draw attention and they are often warmly welcomed with feasts and a glimpse into the cultural ways that have persevered throughout Dagestan’s long history The tiered layout of Gimry village shows how Dagestanis have adapted their settlements to the mountainous terrain of the region Dagestan Today 9
Dagestan’s natural wonders like the Salta Caves have been formed over time by geological processes GEOGRAPHY
1 Dagestan’s total land area is slightly smaller than the country of Costa Rica and roughly twice the size of the U S state of Vermont FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL REPUBLIC Dagestan’s geography is composed of a variety of terrains Its area measures about 19,400 square miles 50,300 square kilometers Mountains foothills high-altitude plateaus and lowlands mark the landscape Perhaps best known for the Caucasus mountain range which crosses its southern and central regions Dagestan also hosts 336 miles 540 km of coast along the Caspian Sea More than 1,800 rivers cross the republic Aside from its eastern seaside border Dagestan is flanked by several Russian entities The Republic of Kalmykia lies to the north on the other side of the Kuma River Dagestan shares its western borders with the Stavropol Territory and Chechnya International borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan lie in the mountainous south
