REPUBLIC OF DAGHESTAN     

        Being in the south of European part of Russian Federation, Daghestan covers 50,300 km2 on the north side of Caucasian Mountains. It is surrounded by the high summits of Caucasian mountains in the south and west by Guton summit, 3646 meters high, and Bazardyuzu (Pazardüzü) summit, 4480 meters high. There is Caspian Sea on the east, Khalmukh Autonomous Republic on the north, Chechen and North Caucasia on west and northwest, Georgia on southwest and Azerbaijan on its south. Its capital is Mohackale. Some other big cities are Derbent, Kizlar, Izlerbas and Buynak.

       Daghestan is a compount word; including the word “Dag” meaning mountain in Turkish” and suffix “-istan” meaning land in Persian. So it has a geographical meaning not a nationalistic aspect. In Russian, it is called Strana Gor meaning “Land of Mountains. It has five geographical regions. Sulak, Samur and Kurak rivers formed deep valleys on their route to Caspian Sea. It has very limited rain on the south sides of Caucasian Mountains. So some parts has no vegetable existence.

       Second region is the second mountain range of 920 meters high on the north of this first region. This is a very rainy region because of north and northwest waves, and it is covered with forests. Narrow coast line between the mountains and the Caspian Ssea is the third region. There are spreading rivers coming from narrow valleys. This region has rich ail and gas resources. The fourth region starts with the large plain and involves low and marsh areas including Terek river delta. Just after this delta starts the long and sandy Agragan Peninsula. Lastly, it is the fifth reigon which includes Noghay Plain covered by sandy areas just on the north of Terek river. This region has a hot and dry climate and shows sahara characteristics.

       Most important rivers of Daghestan are Sulak river, reaching Caspian Sea in Mohackale after joining the Ghazi Kumukh, Kara, Avar and Andi brooks; Terek on the north, coming from Chechen; and Samur, reaching Caspian Sea through southeast. Running generally in parallel with mountains, these rivers had an important role in forming Daghestan’s geographical formation by making 1000 meters deep valleys.

       Daghestan's climate is generally hot and dry. On low places temperature is around -3, 6 ºC in January and 23 ºC in June. Sulak, Terek and Samur plain on the north of Daghestan is a plain area without water,  of which   highest point 26 meters, and lowering through the sea. Not much population live here. Some coast line is also below sea level. Between Kuma and Terek there are many marsh and salt lakes. Between Terek and Sulak, the brooks, Aktas, Yarıksu, Yamansu ve Aksay are used for agriculture today. Except the higher places in northwest, this area are quite dry. Being plain without water and forest, not rainy and having north waves, in the places in north the temperature is 40 ºC  in summer and –40 ºC  during winter. Agriculture can only be done near Terek river and southwest by artificial watering systems. In other places, various Turk tribes live a nomadic life and raising livestock. On coast line, settlers are occupied with fishery.

       Daghestan has many natural resources. Forests on mountainous area and in valleys and canyons have leafed trees, where there are pine and birch trees on high hills. Above these tree line, there is an Alpin meadows. On hillsides there are Sahara type plants which often loose leaves. On lower sides, there are black-brown fruitful soil. On Caspian sea there are salty marsh places.