One of the most picturesque republics of the Russian Federation is Dagestan. This name appeared in the seventeenth century and means "country of mountains". This is the land of reserves, a corner of amazing nature.
Diverse Dagestan
The geographical position of the Highlands of Dagestan is the north-eastern slope of the Caucasus and the south-west of the Caspian lowland. This is the most southern European part of Russia. The length is 400 km from north to south. Latitude - about 200 km. The coastline of the Caspian stretches for 530 km. The border of the republic is two rivers: Kuma (in the north) and Samur (in the south). The population is heterogeneous and consists of many nationalities.
The territory itself is divided into three parts, the natural characteristics of which are very different from each other. 51% of the whole republic is lowland. The northwestern and southeastern ranges, which are separated by hollows and valleys, occupy 12% and are called the foothill part. Alpine Dagestan is 37% of the republic. Mountainous territory - the transition from large plateaus to narrow peaks that reach 2500 meters.
Dagestan arc
Almost half of the republic is mountainous. It is worth noting that most of them are highlands of the meadow type. There are more than 30 peaks that have crossed the line of 4000 meters. And dozens of mountains, the footage of which almost reaches this mark. The total area of the mountains is 25.5 thousand km². Therefore, the average height of the republic is 960 meters above sea level. The highest mountain is Bazarduzu, its height is 4466 m.
The rocks, the base of the mountains, are clearly divided by region. Most often, black and clay shales, dolomitic and alkaline limestones, sandstones are found. The snow ridge, Bogos and Shalib - this is a slate.
The foothills 225 km long cut into the transverse ridge, thus forming a stone wall that encircles the inner highlands of Dagestan. It is there that the largest influx of guest travelers.
Tourist routes of Dagestan pass through the mountains, which are the decoration of the region. Colorful peaks, picturesque ranges, a network of mountain streams and passes of all difficulty levels are the main pilgrimage sites for adventure seekers.
Mountain weather zone
The climate of the republic depends on the soil zone. The territory where the height above sea level is more than 1000 meters is mountainous. Such an area occupies about 40% of the entire territory of the republic. Despite the difference in surface, the climate can be classified as temperate continental.
Alpine Dagestan is characterized by amazing temperature differences compared to the lowlands. At an altitude of 3000 meters, the temperature does not rise above 0 ° C during the year. The coldest month is January, its indicator ranges from -4 ° С to -7 ° С. There is not much snow, but it can cover the ground throughout the year. The warm month is August. Summit summers are cold but warm in the valleys.
Precipitation is uneven. From May to July, most of the rain falls. Thunderstorms often pass. Showers can drag on for several weeks. Rainfall fills the rivers, and they demolish bridges and erode the paths.
River system
The relief of highland Dagestan contributed to the emergence of a dense network of rivers. On an area of 50, 270 km², about 6, 255 rivers flow. But here it is worth noting that most of them have a length of over 10 km. Alpine Dagestan gave rise to the two largest rivers of the republic. Sulak breaks out of the mountains in the north, and Samur in the south.
Different peoples used to call Sulak "sheep's Water" or "rapids." Its length is 169 km. This is the owner of the largest canyon in Russia. Its length is about 50 km. The maximum depth is 1920 meters. Samur was formerly known as the "Chweher River". This is the second river of Dagestan. Its length is 213 km.
In total, 92% of all rivers are mountainous, the remaining 8% flow in the lowlands and in the foothill region. The current velocity is on average 1-2 m / s. In floods, speed increases. Rivers replenish mainly meltwater. The exception is the Gulgerachay River.
Each of the rivers belongs to the Caspian basin, but only 20 of them flow into the sea. Deltas form in front of the Caspian, which change their directions annually.
The wealth of the mountain region
Dagestan is divided into three geographical zones, each of which has its own characteristics.
Foothills - a place of chestnut and mountain forest soils. Mountain chernozem is found on wide plateaus and slopes. There are steppe, forest and meadow mountain lands.
Lowlands are used for agricultural purposes. The mountainous area is replete with forest plantations (in total more than 10%). The forest is made up of oaks. In the southern regions, a purely beech-hornbeam forest. In the inner region birch and pine trees are found. Plateau - pastures for flocks. The poorest part of the mountains is the peaks. Only cold-resistant mosses and lichens survive there.
The wildlife of alpine Dagestan is unique. On this territory live the Dagestan tour, a dark brown bear, a noble Caucasian deer, roe deer, bezoar goat, there are leopards. Many researchers are amazed at the feathered world. Ulars, Keklik, alpine jackdaws and eagles consider highlands the best place to live.
