One of the most picturesque of the republics of the Russian Federation - Dagestan.This name has appeared in the seventeenth century and means "country of mountains".This is the land reserves, amazing nature area.
varied Dagestan
geographical position of the High-Dagestan - the north-eastern slope of the Caucasus and south-west of the Caspian depression.This is the most southern European part of Russia.The length of the length - 400 km from north to south.Latitude - about 200 km.Lines are drawn on the shore of the Caspian Sea 530 km.The border of the republic - the two rivers: Kuma (in the north) and Samur (in the south).The population of non-homogeneous and is composed of many nationalities.
territory itself is divided into three parts, natural characteristics are very different from each other.51% of the republic occupies the lowlands.North-western and south-eastern ridges that are separated by valleys and valleys, occupy 12% and called foothill part.Highland Dagestan - is 37% of the country.Mountain area - the transition from the large plateau to the narrow tops that reach 2500 meters.
Dagestan arc
Almost half of the republic - the mountainous terrain.It is worth noting that a large part - highlands meadow type.There are more than 30 peaks that have crossed the barrier of 4,000 meters.And dozens of mountains, footage of which almost does not reach that mark.The total area of the mountains - 25.5 thousand sq. Km.Therefore, the average height of the republic - 960 meters above sea level.The highest mountain - Bazarduzu, its height - 4466 m.
Breed, base of the mountains, clearly divided by regions.The most common and black shales, and alkaline dolomitic limestone, sandstone.Snow Ridge, and the Bogos Shalib - a slate.
Foothills length of 225 km cross-cut into the ridge, thus forming a stone wall that encircles the inner mountainous Dagestan.That's where the biggest influx of visitors travelers.
tourist path through the mountains of Dagestan, which are the decoration of the region.The picturesque peaks, scenic ridges mesh mountain streams and passes all levels of difficulty - the main places of pilgrimage for adventurers.
Mountain weather Climate zone
republic depends on soil zone.The area where the altitude is more than 1,000 meters - mountainous.This area is about 40% of the entire territory of the republic.Although unlike the surface can be attributed to the climate is temperate continental.
Highland Dagestan is characterized by temperature changes startling performance as compared to the lowlands.At an altitude of 3000 meters the temperature throughout the year does not rise above 0 ° C.The coldest month - January, it ranges from -4 ° C to -7 ° C.Snow a little bit, but it can cover the ground throughout the year.Warmest month - August.Summer on the tops of the cold, but warm in the valleys.
Precipitation uneven.From May to July, the bulk of the rain falls.Most are storm clouds.Livni may be delayed for several weeks.Precipitation fill the river, and they blur the demolished bridges and trails.
river system
Relief mountainous Dagestan contributed to the emergence of a dense network of rivers.Covering an area of 50,270 square kilometers has about 6255 rivers.But it's worth noting that most of them has a length of over 10 km.Highland Dagestan gave rise to two major rivers of the country.Sulak is pulled out from the mountains to the north, and Samur - in the south.
Different nations Sulak was formerly called "Sheep Water" or "rapids."Its length - 169 km.It is the owner of Russia's biggest canyon.Its length - about 50 km.The maximum depth - 1920 meters.Samur was previously known as the "river Chveher."This is the second river in Dagestan.The length of it - 213 km.
In general, 92% of all rivers - mountain, the remaining 8% occur in the lowlands and in the foothills.An average flow rate of 1-2 m / s.The floods speed increases.Replenished mainly by meltwater rivers.An exception is the river Gyulgerychay.
Each of the rivers belongs to the Caspian Basin, but only 20 of them fall into the sea.Before the delta formed by the Caspian Sea, which are annually changing their direction.
Wealth mountainous region
Dagestan is divided into three geographical zones, each of which has its own characteristics.
Foothills - a place of chestnut and mountain forest soils.On the broad plateaus and mountain slopes found black soil.There steppe, forest and meadows of the mountain land.
lowlands are used in agricultural applications.Mountainous terrain abounds in forest plantations (a total of more than 10%).Forest oaks up.In the southern areas especially beech and hornbeam forest.In the inner area there are birch and pine.Plateau - pasture for flocks.The poorest part of the mountain - tops.They survive only cold-hardy mosses and lichens.
Wildlife mountainous Dagestan unique.In this area live Dagestan tour, dark brown bears, noble Caucasian deer, roe deer, bezoar goat, leopards.Many researchers have affected the world of birds.Ular, partridge, Alpine jackdaw, and the Eagles believe highlands better place to live.
Ecology and Conservation
Pride edges - nature reserves and natural parks.Every year more and more territory is under state protection.The richness of the land in need of protection and care.Save uniqueness of flora and fauna - the main task of the current government.
But today, there are serious environmental problems mountainous Dagestan.The biggest - dirty drinking water sources.Hurt brings human activity.Once clean rivers drown in sorrow waste.No less harm to bring the theft of minerals and deforestation.The air polluting plants and factories.Poor established a system of garbage disposal.
The biggest danger for these great places - careless attitude of local residents towards nature.Do not forget that the whole of Dagestan is located in the mountainous area.Indiscriminate deforestation leads to the fact that the slopes are destroyed.With every year the erosion process is reinforced.Therefore, the country may soon completely change its appearance or disappear altogether.
