Jump to content

Dagestan

Edit links
Coordinates:42°59′2″N47°30′18″E/ 42.98389°N 47.50500°E/42.98389; 47.50500
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromDagestani)
For other uses, seeDagestan (disambiguation).
"Dağıstan" redirects here. For the neighbourhood in Ceyhan, Turkey, seeDağıstan, Ceyhan.

Republic of Dagestan
Republic
Республика Дагестан
13 other official names
  • Avar:Дагъистан Жумгьурият
    Dargin:Дагъистан Республика
    Kumyk:Дагъыстан Жумгьурият
    Lezgian:Дагъустандин Республика
    Lak:Дагъусттаннал Республика
    Tabasaran:Дагъустан Республика
    Rutul:Республика Дагъустан
    Aghul:Республика Дагъустан
    Tsakhur:Республика Дагъустан
    Nogai:Дагыстан Республикасы
    Chechen:Дегӏестан Республика
    Azerbaijani:Дағыстан Республикасы
    Tat:Республикей Догъисту
Flag of Republic of Dagestan
Flag
Coat of arms of Republic of Dagestan
Coat of arms
Anthem: "State Anthem of the Republic of Dagestan"
Location of Dagestan (red) within European Russia
Location of Dagestan (red)
withinEuropean Russia
Coordinates:42°59′2″N47°30′18″E/ 42.98389°N 47.50500°E/42.98389; 47.50500
CountryRussia
Federal districtNorth Caucasian[1]
Economic regionNorth Caucasus[2]
CapitalMakhachkala
Government
• BodyPeople's Assembly[3]
•Head[3]Sergey Melikov
Area
[4]
• Total50,270 km2(19,410 sq mi)
• Rank52nd
Population
(2021 census)[5]
• TotalIncrease3,182,054
• Estimate
(2018)[6]
3,063,885
• Rank10th
•Urban
45.2%
•Rural
54.8%
Time zoneUTC+3(MSKEdit this on Wikidata[7])
ISO 3166 codeRU-DA
License plates05
OKTMOID82000000
Official languagesRussian;[8]
[9][10]
Websitehttp://www.e-dag.ru/
Sulak Canyonis one of the world's deepest canyons
Kakhib, one of many abandonedaulsin Dagestan
AbandonedLezginvillage of Grar

Dagestan(/ˌdæɡɪˈstæn,-ˈstɑːn/DAG-ə-STA(H)N;Russian:Дагестан;IPA:[dəɡʲɪˈstan]), officially theRepublic of Dagestan,[a]is arepublicofRussiasituated in theNorth CaucasusofEastern Europe,along theCaspian Sea.It is located north of theGreater Caucasus,and is a part of theNorth Caucasian Federal District.The republic is the southernmost tip of Russia, sharing land borders with the countries ofAzerbaijanandGeorgiato the south and southwest, the Russian republics ofChechnyaandKalmykiato the west and north, and withStavropol Kraito the northwest.Makhachkalais the republic'scapitalandlargest city;other major cities areDerbent,Kizlyar,Izberbash,Kaspiysk,andBuynaksk.

Dagestan covers an area of 50,300 square kilometres (19,400 square miles), with a population of over 3.1 million,[12]consisting of over 30 ethnic groups and 81 nationalities.[13]With 14 official languages, and 12 ethnic groups each constituting more than 1% of its total population, the republic is one of Russia's most linguistically and ethnically diverse, and one of the mostheterogeneousadministrative divisions in the world.[14]Most of the residents speak one of theNortheast Caucasian,orTurkic,languages;[13]however,Russianis the primary language and thelingua francain the republic.[15]

Toponymy

The wordDagestanis ofTurkishandPersianorigin, directly translating to "Land of the Mountains". The Turkish worddağmeans "mountain", and the Persian suffix-stanmeans "land".

Some areas of Dagestan were known asLekia,AvariaandTarkiat various times.[16]

Between 1860 and 1920,Dagestanwas referred to asDagestan Oblast,corresponding to the southeastern part of the present-day republic. The current borders were created with the establishment of theDagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republicin 1921, with the incorporation of the eastern part ofTerek Oblast,which is not mountainous but includes theTereklittoralat the southern end of theCaspian Depression.

Names in its official languages

  • Russian– Республика Дагестан (Respublika Dagestan)
  • Avar– Дагъистан Республика (Daġistan Respublika)
  • Dargin– Дагъистан Республика (Daġistan Respublika)
  • Kumyk– Дагъыстан Жумгьурият (Республика) (Dağıstan Cumhuriyat / Respublika)
  • Lezgian– Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
  • Lak– Дагъусттаннал Республика (Daġusttannal Respublika)
  • Tabasaran– Дагъустан Республика (Daġustan Respublika)
  • Rutul– Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
  • Aghul– Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
  • Tsakhur– Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
  • Nogai– Дагыстан Республикасы (Dağıstan Respublikası)
  • Chechen– Дегӏестан Республика (Deġestan Respublika)
  • Azerbaijani– Дағыстан Республикасы (Dağıstan Respublikası)
  • Tat– Республикей Догъисту (Respublikei Doġistu)

Geography

class=notpageimage|
Federal subjectsin theBlack Sea-Caspianarea.

The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains. It is the southernmost part of Russia and is bordered on its eastern side by theCaspian Sea.

Rivers

There are over 1,800 rivers in the republic. Major rivers include:

Lakes

Dagestan has about 405 kilometers (252 mi) ofcoastlineon the world's largest lake, theCaspian Sea.

Mountains

Most of Dagestan is mountainous, with the GreaterCaucasus Mountainscovering the south of the republic. The highest point is theBazardüzü/Bazardyuzyupeak at 4,470 meters (14,670 ft), on the border withAzerbaijan.Thesouthernmost point of Russiais located about seven kilometers southwest of the peak. Other important mountains areDiklosmta(4,285 m (14,058 ft)),Gora Addala Shukgelmezr(4,152 m (13,622 ft)) andGora Dyultydag(4,127 m (13,540 ft)). The town ofKumukhis one of the settlements on the mountains.

Natural resources

Dagestan is rich inoil,natural gas,coal,and many other minerals.[17]

Climate

The climate is classified as acontinental climate,with a significant lack of precipitation. It is among the warmest places in Russia. In the mountainous regions, it issubarctic.[citation needed]

  • Average January temperature:+2 °C (36 °F)
  • Average July temperature:+26 °C (79 °F)
  • Average annualprecipitation:250 mm (10 in) (northern plains) to 800 mm (31 in) (in the mountains).[18]

Administrative divisions

Main article:Administrative divisions of Dagestan

Dagestan is divided into forty-one administrativedistricts(raions) and tencities/towns.The districts are further subdivided into nineteenurban-type settlements,and 363rural okrugs and stanitsa okrugs.

History

Main article:History of Dagestan
Inside the Persian fortress ofDerbent,aWorld Heritage Site

In the first few centuries AD,Caucasian Albania(corresponding to modern Azerbaijan and southern Dagestan) became a vassal and eventually subordinate to theParthian Empire.With the advent of theSasanian Empire,it became asatrapy(province) within the vast domains of the empire. In later antiquity, a few wars were fought as theRoman Empireunsuccessfully attempted to contest Sasanid rule over the region. Over the centuries, to a relatively large extent, the peoples within the Dagestan territory converted toChristianityalongsideZoroastrianism.

In the 5th century, the Sassanids gained the upper hand, and by the 6th century had constructed a strong citadel atDerbent,known from then on as theCaspian Gates,while theHunsoverran the northern part of Dagestan, followed by theCaucasian Avars.During the Sassanian era, southern Dagestan became a bastion of Persian culture and civilization, with its center at Derbent.[19]A policy of "Persianisation"can be traced over many centuries.[20]

Islamic influence

During theIslamic conquests,the Dagestani people (region ofDerbent) were the first people to become Muslims within current Russian territory, after theArabconquest of the region in 643.[21]In the 8th century Arabs repeatedlyclashed with the Khazars.Although the local population rose against the Arabs of Derbent in 905 and 913,Islamwasstill adoptedin urban centers, such asSamandarandKubachi(Zerechgeran), from where it steadily diffused into the highlands. By the 15th century,Christianityhad died away, leaving a 10th-centuryChurch of Datunaas the sole monument to its existence.

Seljuk Turks

Mongol horserider with "cloud collar",House of Ahmad and Ibrahim,Kubachiin the Caucasus, second half 14th century CE

In the second half of the 11th century, theSeljuk Turkstook part of the region of Dagestan under their control.[22]

Mongol rule

See also:Golden HordeandIlkhanate

The Mongols raided the lands in 1221–1222 then conquered Derbent and the surrounding area from 1236 to 1239 during theinvasions of GeorgiaandDurdzuketia.

Timurids

TheTimuridsincorporated the region into their realm following the Mongols.[22]

Alternating Persian and Russian rule

See also:Shamkhalate of Tarki
Silver coin ofNader Shah,minted in Dagestan, dated 1741–42 (left = obverse; right = reverse)

As Mongolian authority gradually eroded, new centers of power emerged in Kaitagi andTarki.In the early 16th century, the Persians (under theSafavids) reconsolidated their rule over the region, which would, intermittently, last till the early 19th century. In the 16th and 17th centuries, legal traditions were codified, and mountainous communities (djamaats) obtained considerable autonomy. In the 1720s, as a result of the disintegration of the Safavids and theRusso-Persian War (1722–23),the Russians briefly annexed maritime Dagestan from the Safavids. The Russians could not hold on to the interior of Dagestan, and could only be stopped in front of Baku with the help ofOttomanforces under the command of Mustafa Pasha. With a treaty signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empirein 1724,aimed at dividing the territories of Safavid Iran between them, Derbend, Baku and some other places in the region were left to Russia. Dagestan briefly came under Ottoman rule between 1578 and 1606.[22]

The territories were however returned toPersiain 1735 per theTreaty of Ganja.

Between 1730 and the early course of the 1740s, following his brother's murder in Dagestan, the new Persian ruler and military geniusNader Shahled a lengthycampaign in swaths of Dagestanin order to fully conquer the region, which was met with considerable success, although eventually he was forced to withdraw due to the extremity of the weather, the outbreak of disease and heavy raids by the various ethnic groups of Dagestan, forcing him to retreat with his army. From 1747 onwards, the Persian-ruled part of Dagestan was administered through theDerbent Khanate,with its center at Derbent. ThePersian expedition of 1796resulted in the Russian capture of Derbent in 1796. However, the Russians were again forced to retreat from the entire Caucasus following internal governmental problems, allowing Persia to capture the territory again.

Russian rule consolidated

It was not until the aftermath of theRusso-Persian War (1804–1813)that Russian power over Dagestan was confirmed, and thatQajar Persiaofficially ceded the territory to Russia. In 1813, following Russia's victory in the war, Persia was forced to cede southern Dagestan with its principal city of Derbent, alongside other vast territories in the Caucasus to Russia, conforming with theTreaty of Gulistan.[23]The 1828Treaty of Turkmenchayindefinitely consolidated Russian control over Dagestan and removed Persia from the military equation.[24]

Uprisings against imperial Russia

Imam Shamil,national hero and freedom fighter
Dagestani man, photographed bySergey Prokudin-Gorsky,between 1907 and 1915

The Russian administration, however, disappointed and embittered the highlanders. The institution of heavy taxation, coupled with the expropriation of estates and the construction of fortresses (including Makhachkala), electrified highlanders into rising under the aegis of the MuslimImamate of Dagestan,led byGhazi Mohammed(1828–1832),Hamzat Bek(1832–1834) andShamil(1834–1859). ThisCaucasian Warraged until 1864.

Dagestan and Chechnya profited from theRusso-Turkish War (1877–1878),rising together against theRussian Empire.Chechnya rose again at various times throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Soviet era

On December 21, 1917,Ingushetia,Chechnya,Dagestan and the rest of the North Caucasus declared independence from Russia and formed a single state called the "United Mountain Dwellers of the North Caucasus" (also known as theMountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus).[citation needed]The capital of the new state was moved toTemir-Khan-Shura.[25][26]The first prime minister of the state wasTapa Chermoyev,a prominent Chechen statesman. The second prime minister was an Ingush statesman Vassan-Girey Dzhabagiev, who in 1917 also became the author of the constitution of the land, and in 1920 was re-elected for a third term.[27]After theBolshevik Revolution,Ottomanarmies occupiedAzerbaijanand Dagestan and the region became part of the short-livedMountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus.After more than three years of fighting theWhite Armyand local nationalists, the Bolsheviks achieved victory and theDagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republicwas proclaimed on January 20, 1921. As the newly created Soviet Union was consolidating control in the region, Dagestan declared itself a republic within the Russian Soviet federation but did not follow the other ASSRs in declaringsovereignty.[28]

Post-Soviet era

On August 7, 1999, theIslamic International Peacekeeping Brigade(IIPB), an Islamist group fromChechnyaled by warlordsShamil Basayev,Ibn Al-KhattabandRamzan Akhmadov,launched a militaryinvasion of Dagestan,in support of the Shura separatist rebels with the aim of creating an "independent Islamic State of Dagestan".

The invaders were supported by part of the local population but were driven back by the Russian military and local paramilitary groups.[29]In response to the invasion, Russian forces subsequentlyreinvaded Chechnya later that year.[30]

Dagestan hasone of the highest unemployment rates in Russia.[31]

Dagestani soldiers participated in the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine,many of whom were killed in action.[32][33][34]In September, Dagestan became a center of the2022 North Caucasian protestsagainstmobilization.[35]

In 2023, during theHamas-Israel war,there were awave of antisemitic attacksacross the North Caucasus, including Dagestan.[36][37]

Politics

The Government Building of the Republic of Dagestan

Theparliamentof Dagestan is thePeople's Assembly,consisting of 72 deputies elected for a four-year term. The People's Assembly is the highest executive and legislative body of the republic.

The Constitution of Dagestan was adopted on July 10, 2003. According to it, the highest executive authority lies with the State Council, comprising representatives of fourteen ethnicities. The Constitutional Assembly of Dagestan appoints the members of the State Council for a term of four years. The State Council appoints the members of the Government.

The ethnicities represented in the State Council areAvars,Dargins,Kumyks,Lezgins,Laks,Azerbaijanis,Tabasarans,Russians,Chechens,Nogais,Aguls,Rutuls,Tsakhurs,andTats.

Formerly, the Chairman of the State Council was the highest executive post in the republic, held byMagomedali Magomedovich Magomedovuntil 2006. On February 20, 2006, the People's Assembly passed a resolution terminating this post and disbanding the State Council.Russian president,Vladimir Putinoffered the People's Assembly the candidature ofMukhu Aliyevfor the newly established post of thepresident of the Republic of Dagestan.The People's Assembly accepted the nomination, and Mukhu Aliyev became the first president of the republic. On February 20, 2010, Aliyev was replaced byMagomedsalam Magomedov.Ramazan Abdulatipovthen became the head (acting 2013–2017, following the resignation of Magomedov).[citation needed]On October 3, 2017,Vladimir Vasilyevwas appointed as head.[38]

Demographics

Because its mountainous terrain impedes travel and communication, Dagestan is unusually ethnically diverse and still largely tribal. It is Russia's most heterogeneous republic. Dagestan's population is rapidly growing.[39]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1897571,154—
1926787,883+37.9%
19391,023,300+29.9%
19591,062,472+3.8%
19701,428,540+34.5%
19791,627,884+14.0%
19891,802,579+10.7%
20022,576,531+42.9%
20102,910,249+13.0%
20213,182,054+9.3%
Source: Census data

Population

3,182,054 (2021 Census);[40]2,910,249 (2010 Russian census);[41]2,576,531 (2002 Census);[42]1,802,579 (1989 Soviet census).[43]

Life expectancy

See also:List of federal subjects of Russia by life expectancy

Dagestan has the second highestlife expectancyin Russia. Higher duration of life is observed only inIngushetia.[44][45]

2019 2021
Average: 79.1 years 76.6 years
Male: 76.6 years 74.1 years
Female: 81.4 years 79.0 years
  • Life expectancy at birth in Dagestan
    Life expectancy at birth in Dagestan
  • Life expectancy with calculated differences
    Life expectancy with calculated differences
  • Life expectancy in Dagestan in comparison with other regions of the North Caucasus
    Life expectancy in Dagestan in comparison with other regions of the North Caucasus
  • Interactive chart of comparison of male and female life expectancy for 2021. Open the original svg-file in a separate window and hover over a bubble to highlight it.
    Interactive chart of comparison of male and female life expectancy for 2021. Open theoriginal svg-filein a separate window and hover over a bubble to highlight it.
  • Analogious interactive chart of comparison of urban and rural life expectancy. Original interactive file.
    Analogious interactive chart of comparison of urban and rural life expectancy.
    Original interactive file.

Settlements

Vital statistics

Map of Dagestan
A mountain village
A couple in Dagestan, as photographed bySergey Prokudin-Gorskybetween 1907 and 1915

Source:Russian Federal State Statistics Service [46]

Average population (x 1000) Live births Deaths Natural change Crude birth rate (per 1000) Crude death rate (per 1000) Natural change (per 1000) Fertility rates
1970 1,438 41,381 9,543 31,838 28.8 6.6 22.1
1975 1,544 42,098 10,292 31,806 27.3 6.7 20.6
1980 1,655 44,088 11,188 32,900 26.6 6.8 19.9
1985 1,744 50,053 12,010 38,043 28.7 6.9 21.8
1990 1,848 48,209 11,482 36,727 26.1 6.2 19.9 3.07
1991 1,906 47,461 12,062 35,399 24.9 6.3 18.6 2.94
1992 1,964 44,986 12,984 32,002 22.9 6.6 16.3 2.70
1993 2,012 41,863 14,777 27,086 20.8 7.3 13.5 2.46
1994 2,117 44,472 15,253 29,219 21.0 7.2 13.8 2.45
1995 2,209 45,680 15,700 29,980 20.7 7.1 13.6 2.41
1996 2,251 42,282 15,565 26,717 18.8 6.9 11.9 2.19
1997 2,308 41,225 15,662 25,563 17.9 6.8 11.1 2.10
1998 2,363 41,164 15,793 25,371 17.4 6.7 10.7 2.05
1999 2,417 38,281 16,020 22,261 15.8 6.6 9.2 1.87
2000 2,464 38,229 16,108 22,121 15.5 6.5 9.0 1.82
2001 2,511 38,480 15,293 23,187 15.3 6.1 9.2 1.79
2002 2,563 41,204 15,887 25,317 16.1 6.2 9.9 1.85
2003 2,609 41,490 15,929 25,561 15.9 6.1 9.8 1.81
2004 2,647 41,573 15,724 25,849 15.7 5.9 9.8 1.76
2005 2,684 40,814 15,585 25,229 15.2 5.8 9.4 1.69
2006 2,721 40,646 15,939 24,707 14.9 5.9 9.1 1.64
2007 2,761 45,470 15,357 30,113 16.5 5.6 10.9 1.81
2008 2,804 49,465 15,794 33,671 17.6 5.6 12.0 1.94
2009 2,850 50,416 16,737 33,679 17.7 5.9 11.8 1.92
2010 2,896 52,057 17,013 35,044 18.0 5.9 12.1 1.92
2011 2,914 54,646 16,872 37,774 18.1 5.8 12.3 1.98
2012 2,931 56,186 16,642 39,544 19.1 5.7 13.4 2.03
2013 2,955 55,641 16,258 39,383 18.8 5.5 13.3 2.02
2014 2,982 56,888 16,491 40,397 19.1 5.5 13.6 2.08
2015 3,003 54,867 16,188 38,679 18.3 5.4 12.9 2.02
2016 3,029 52,867 15,719 37,148 17.4 5.2 12.2 1.98
2017 3,041 50,174 15,473 34,701 16.4 5.1 11.3 1.91
2018 3,077 48,120 14,871 33,249 15.6 4.8 10.8 1.86
2019 3,110 45,977 14,941 31,036 14.8 4.8 10.0 1.78
2020 3,138 47,051 19,750 27,301 15.1 6.3 8.8 1.87
2021 3,182 44,330 19,766 24,564 14.1 6.3 7.8 1.76
2022 3,186 42,515 16,344 26,171 13.4 5.2 8.2 1.73

Ethnic groups

The people of Dagestan include a largevariety of ethnicities.According to the2021 Census,[47]Northeast Caucasians (includingAvars,Dargins,Lezgins,Laks,Tabasarans,andChechens) make up almost 75% of the population of Dagestan. Turkic peoples,Kumyks,Azerbaijanis,andNogaismake up 21%, andRussians3.3%. Other ethnicities (e.g.Tats,who are anIranian people) each account for less than 0.4% of the total population.

Such groups as theBotlikh,theAndi,theAkhvakhs,theTsezand about ten other groups were reclassified as Avars between the 1926 and 1939 censuses.[48]

Ethnic groups in Dagestan (2021)

Avars(30.5%)
Dargins(16.6%)
Kumyks(15.8%)
Lezgins(13.3%)
Laks(5.2%)
Tabasarans(4.0%)
Azerbaijanis(3.7%)
Russians(3.3%)
Chechens(3.2%)
Others (4.4%)
Ethnic
group 		1926 Census 1939 Census 1959 Census 1970 Census 1979 Census 1989 Census 2002 Census 2010 Census 2021 Census1
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Avars 177,189 22.5% 230,488 24.8% 239,373 22.5% 349,304 24.5% 418,634 25.7% 496,077 27.5% 758,438 29.4% 850,011 29.4% 956,831 30.5%
Dargins 125,707 16.0% 150,421 16.2% 148,194 13.9% 207,776 14.5% 246,854 15.2% 280,431 15.6% 425,526 16.5% 490,384 17.0% 521,381 16.6%
Kumyks 87,960 11.2% 100,053 10.8% 120,859 11.4% 169,019 11.8% 202,297 12.4% 231,805 12.9% 365,804 14.2% 431,736 14.9% 496,455 15.8%
Lezgins 90,509 11.5% 96,723 10.4% 108,615 10.2% 162,721 11.4% 188,804 11.6% 204,370 11.3% 336,698 13.1% 385,240 13.3% 416,963 13.3%
Laks 39,878 5.1% 51,671 5.6% 53,451 5.0% 72,240 5.1% 83,457 5.1% 91,682 5.1% 139,732 5.4% 161,276 5.6% 162,518 5.2%
Tabasarans 31,915 4.0% 33,432 3.6% 33,548 3.2% 53,253 3.7% 71,722 4.4% 78,196 4.6% 110,152 4.3% 118,848 4.1% 126,319 4.0%
Azerbaijanis 23,428 3.0% 31,141 3.3% 38,224 3.6% 54,403 3.8% 64,514 4.0% 75,463 4.2% 111,656 4.3% 130,919 4.5% 116,907 3.7%
Russians 98,197 12.5% 132,952 14.3% 213,754 20.1% 209,570 14.7% 189,474 11.6% 165,940 9.2% 120,875 4.7% 104,020 3.6% 102,243 3.3%
Chechens 21,851 2.8% 26,419 2.8% 12,798 1.2% 39,965 2.8% 49,227 3.0% 57,877 3.2% 87,867 3.4% 93,658 3.2% 99,320 3.2%
Nogais 26,086 3.3% 4,677 0.5% 14,939 1.4% 21,750 1.5% 24,977 1.5% 28,294 1.6% 38,168 1.5% 40,407 1.4% 36,944 1.2%
Aghuls 7,653 1.0% 20,408 2.2% 6,378 0.6% 8,644 0.6% 11,459 0.7% 13,791 0.8% 23,314 0.9% 28,054 1.0% 29,253 0.9%
Rutuls 10,333 1.3% 6,566 0.6% 11,799 0.8% 14,288 0.9% 14,955 0.8% 24,298 1.0% 27,849 1.0% 27,043 0.9%
Tsakhurs 3,531 0.4% 4,278 0.4% 4,309 0.3% 4,560 0.3% 5,194 0.3% 8,168 0.3% 9,771 0.3% 10,320 0.3%
Others 43,861 5.6% 52,031 5.6% 61,495 5.8% 63,787 4.5% 57,892 3.6% 58,113 3.2% 25,835 1.0% 19,646 0.7% 31,752 1.0%
147,805 people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group.[49]

Languages

Main language areas

More than 30 local languages are commonly spoken, most belonging to theNakh-Daghestanianlanguage family. Russian became the principallingua francain Dagestan during the 20th century;[50]Over 20 of Russia's 131endangered languagesas identified by UNESCO can be found in Dagestan. Most of these endangered languages have speakers in the mountainous region on the Dagestan-Georgia border.[51]

Prior to Soviet rule, the literary lingua-franca status to some extent belonged toClassical Arabic.[52]The northernAvardialect ofKhunzakhhas also served as a lingua franca in mountainous Dagestan where Avar-related peoples lived.[53]And throughout centuries theKumyk languagehad beenthe lingua-francafor the bigger part of the Northern Caucasus, from Dagestan toKabarda,until the 1930s.[54][55][56]Kumyk also had been an official language for communication of the Russian Imperial administration with the local peoples.[57]

The first Russian grammar written about a language from present-day Dagestan was for Kumyk.[58]Author Timofey Makarov wrote:

From the peoples speaking Tatar language I liked the most Kumyks, as for their language's distinction and precision, so for their closeness to the European civilization, but most importantly, I take in account that they live on the Left Flank of the Caucasian Front, where we're conducting military actions, and where all the peoples, apart from their own language, speak also Kumyk.

Religion

Religion in Dagestan (2012)[59]

Islam(83%)
Russian Orthodox Church(2.4%)
Nondenominational Christianity(1%)
Folk religion(2%)
Spiritual but not religious(9%)
Atheist(2%)
Others (0.6%)

According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people,[59]83% of the population of Dagestan adheres toIslam,2.4% to theRussian Orthodox Church,2% to Caucasian folk religion and other native faiths, 1% arenon-denominationalChristians.In addition, 9% of the population identify as "spiritual but not religious",2% asatheist,and 0.6% as other and no answer.[59]

Islam

Main article:Islam in Russia

Dagestanis adherents of Islam are largelySunniMuslims of theShafiischool. On the Caspian coast, particularly in and around the port city ofDerbent,the population (primarily made up ofAzerbaijanis) isShia.ASalafiminority is also present, which is sometimes a target of official repression.[60]

The appearance ofSufimysticismin Dagestan dates back to the 14th century. The twoSufi ordersthat are widely spread in theNorth Caucasuswere theNaqshbandiyaand theQadiriya.The mystictariqaspreached tolerance and coexistence between the diverse people in the region. The Communist total intolerance for any religion after theCommunist Revolution of 1917also suppressed the Sufi movements.Shaykh Said Afandi al-Chirkawiwas a prominent scholar, spiritual leader, andmurshid(guide) of Naqshbandi andShadhilitariqahsin Dagestan until his death.[61]

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, there has been anIslamic revivalin the region. By 1996, Dagestan had 1,670 registered mosques, nine Islamic universities, 25madrassas,670maktab,and it is estimated that "nearly one in five Dagestanis was involved in Islamic education", while of the 20,000 or so Russian pilgrims for theHajjmore than half were from Dagestan.[62]

Judaism

Main article:Judaism in Dagestan

A relatively large number of nativeTati-speakingJews– the "Mountain Jews"– were[when?]also present in these same coastal areas. However, since 1991 and the collapse of theSoviet Union,many have migrated to Israel and the United States. These[specify]were an extension of much largerAzerbaijani Jewishcommunity across the border in the Azerbaijani districts ofQubaandShamakhi.[63]

Christianity

Further information:Christianity in Dagestan

The number ofChristiansamong the non-Slavic indigenous population is very low, with estimates between 2,000 and 2,500. Most of these arePentecostalChristians from theLakethnicity.[64][65]The largest congregation is Osanna Evangelical Christian Church (Pentecostal) inMakhachkala,with more than 1,000 members.[66]

Makhachkala Grand Mosque Cathedral of Our Lady of the SigninKhasavyurt Church of the Holy All-Savior of Derbent Derbent Synagogue TheJuma Mosque of Derbent(built in 733) is the oldest in Russia and one of the oldest in the world.

Genetics

In 2006, a genetic study of the Dagestan populations, published inHuman Biology,suggested that inhabitants of Dagestan are closely related toAnatolian TurksandCypriot Turks.Yunusbayev et al. pointed out that these findings support the theory that indigenous groups of Dagestan can trace their roots back to ancientAnatolian farming tribeswho introduced early agricultural traditions.[67]

Notable people

Economy

The major industries in Dagestan includeoil production,engineering,chemicals,machine building,textile manufacturing,food processingandtimber.Oil depositsare located in the narrow coastal region. Dagestan's natural gas production goes mostly to satisfy local needs.Agricultureis varied and includes grain-farming,viticultureandwine-making,sheep-farming, anddairying.The engineering andmetalworkingindustries own 20% of the republic's industrial production assets and employ 25% of all industrial workers. Dagestan's hydroelectric power industry is developing rapidly. There are five power plants on theSulak Riverprovidinghydroelectric power.It has been estimated that Dagestan's total potential hydroelectric power resources are 4.4 billion kW. Dagestan has a well-developed transportation system.Railwaysconnect the capitalMakhachkalato Moscow,Astrakhan,and the Azerbaijani capital,Baku.The Moscow-Bakuhighwayalsopasses through Dagestan,and there are air links with major cities.[68][69]

Conditions for economic development are favorable in Dagestan, but – as of 2006– the republic's low starting level for a successful transition to market relations, in addition to rampant corruption, has made the region highly dependent on itsunderground economyand the subsidies coming from the central Russian government.[69][70]Corruption in Dagestan is more severe than in other regions of the formerSoviet Unionand is coupled with a flourishing black market and clan-based economic system.[71]

In 2011Rostelecomstarted the implementation ofWDM-based equipment on the backbone network for data transmission in the Republic of Dagestan. Due to WDM introduction, the fiber-optic communication lines bandwidth increased to 2.5 Gbit/s. Rostelecom invested about 48 million rubles in the project.[72]

Culture

Literature

Epic-historical songs about the defeat of the armies of Afshar Turk Nadir Shah and various episodes of the nineteenth-century wars are popular among the Avars. Best-known are the ballads "Khochbar" and "Kamalil Bashir". In the second half of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth, Avar culture and literature grew significantly. Well-known Avar literary figures include the poets Aligaji of Inkho (who died 1875) and Chanka (1866–1909), the lyric poet Makhmud (1873–1919), the satirist Tsadasa Gamzat (1877–1951), and the celebrated poetRasul Gamzatov(1923–2003). Among his poems was Zhuravli, which became a well-known Russian song.[73]

Music

There is a Dagestani Philharmonic Orchestra and a State Academic Dance Ensemble.Gotfrid Hasanov,who is said to be the first professional composer from Dagestan, wroteKhochbar,the first Dagestani opera, in 1945. Dagestani folk dances include a fast-paced dance called thelezginka.It derives its names from the Lezgin people; nevertheless, Azerbaijanis, Circassians, Abkhazians, Mountain Jews, Caucasian Avars, the Russian Kuban, and Terek Cossacks and many other tribes have their own versions.[74]

Cuisine

Khingal-batis Dagestan's national dish of small dumplings boiled in ram's broth. Depending on the cook's ethnicity, the dumplings can be oval or round, filled with meat or cheese, and served with a garlic or sour cream sauce. Dairy products and meat constitute a large part of the diet in the mountainous regions, while in the valley zones, vegetables and grain flour are eaten in addition to fruits, edible gourds, edible herbs, and wild grasses.[75]

Martial arts

Main article:Wrestling in Dagestan

In recent times the region has been recognized for producing some of the world's best athletes in combat sports and produces the most MMA fighters of any region relative to population. Dagestani bornKhabib Nurmagomedovwas a UFC lightweight champion who retired undefeated.[76] [77]His training partner,Islam Makhachev,who is also Dagestani, is the current UFC lightweight champion. Khabib's cousin,Umar Nurmagomedov,is an undefeated fighter in the UFC's bantamweight division. Umar's younger brother,Usman Nurmagomedov,is the current Bellator lightweight champion.Magomed Ankalaev,who also hails from Dagestan, fought for the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2022.Abubakar Nurmagomedovis also a cousin of Khabib's who is Dagestani, he is also a professional MMA fighter with a professional record of 17-4-1.

Dagestan has also historically produced a disproportionate number of Olympic and world champions in freestyle wrestling. Considered by some as the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all timeBuvaisar Saitievwho was a three time Olympic champion andAbdulrashid Sadulaevwho won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are from Dagestan.

In boxing,Artur Beterbievis a one time World Cup gold medalist, and the current (October 2023) unified IBF, WBO, and WBC light heavyweight champion, winning all of his 20 fights by knockout.

See also

Notes

  1. ^Russian:Республика Дагестан,romanized:Respublika Dagestan

Citations

  1. ^Президент Российской Федерации. Указ №849 от 13 мая 2000 г. «О полномочном представителе Президента Российской Федерации в федеральном округе». Вступил в силу 13 мая 2000 г. Опубликован: "Собрание законодательства РФ", No. 20, ст. 2112, 15 мая 2000 г.(President of the Russian Federation. Decree #849 of May 13, 2000On the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in a Federal District.Effective as of May 13, 2000.).
  2. ^Госстандарт Российской Федерации. №ОК 024-95 27 декабря 1995 г. «Общероссийский классификатор экономических регионов. 2. Экономические районы», в ред. Изменения №5/2001 ОКЭР.(Gosstandartof the Russian Federation. #OK 024-95 December 27, 1995Russian Classification of Economic Regions. 2. Economic Regions,as amended by the Amendment #5/2001 OKER. ).
  3. ^abConstitution, Article 8
  4. ^"Сведения о наличии и распределении земель в Российской Федерации на 01.01.2019 (в разрезе субъектов Российской Федерации)".Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography.Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2022.RetrievedAugust 29,2023.
  5. ^"Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации".Federal State Statistics Service.RetrievedSeptember 1,2022.
  6. ^"26. Численность постоянного населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2018 года".Federal State Statistics Service.RetrievedJanuary 23,2019.
  7. ^"Об исчислении времени".Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации(in Russian). June 3, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  8. ^Official throughout the Russian Federation according to Article 68.1 of theConstitution of Russia.
  9. ^According to Article 11 of the Constitution of Dagestan, the official languages of the republic include "Russian and the languages of the peoples of Dagestan"
  10. ^Solntsev et al., pp. XXXIX–XL
  11. ^Всероссийский Центральный Исполнительный Комитет. Декрет от 20 января 1921 г. «Об Автономной Дагестанской Социалистической Советской Республике».(All-Russian Central Executive Committee.Decree of January 20, 1921On Autonomous Dagestan Socialist Soviet Republic.).
  12. ^"Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации".Главная::Федеральная служба государственной статистики. Archived fromthe originalon January 24, 2020.RetrievedOctober 24,2020.
  13. ^ab"Dagestan".Encyclopedia Britannica.RetrievedOctober 24,2020.
  14. ^Heinrich, Hans-Georg; Lobova, Ludmila; Malashenko, Alexei (2011).Will Russia Become a Muslim Society?.Peter Lang. p. 46.ISBN978-3631609132.RetrievedAugust 6,2012.
  15. ^Dalby, Andrew (2004).Dictionary of Languages: The Definitive Reference to More Than 400 Languages.Columbia University Press. p. 59.ISBN0231115695.RetrievedAugust 6,2012.
  16. ^Zonn, Igor S.; et al.The Caspian Sea Encyclopedia.Berlin:Springer.p. 280.
  17. ^"Dagestan Republic".www.investinginrussia.ru.RetrievedMay 8,2019.
  18. ^"Climate in Dagestan, Russia".Worlddata.info.RetrievedMay 8,2019.
  19. ^Michael Khodarkovsky (2015)."Bitter Choices: Loyalty and Betrayal in the Russian Conquest of the North Caucasus".Cornell University Press.ISBN0801462908pp. 47–52
  20. ^"Dagestan".RetrievedJune 11,2015.
  21. ^"Islam: Islam in the Caucasus and the Middle Volga | Encyclopedia.com".www.encyclopedia.com.
  22. ^abc"DAĞISTAN – TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi".TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi(in Turkish).RetrievedAugust 8,2022.
  23. ^Timothy C. Dowling (2014).Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond.pp. 728–730. ABC-CLIO.ISBN1598849484
  24. ^Aksan, Virginia (2014).Ottoman Wars, 1700–1870: An Empire Besieged.p. 463. Routledge.ISBN978-1317884033
  25. ^"Republic of the North Caucasus Federation".1900.ethnia.org.Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 14,2022.
  26. ^"ISO Brain – Premium Supplement For Your Brain".September 18, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2014.
  27. ^Вассан-Гирей ДжабагиевArchivedFebruary 21, 2014, at theWayback Machine
  28. ^Zamyatin, Konstantin (2013)."Sovereignisation and State Languages: Early Formation of Language Policy of Russia's Finno-Ugric Republics in the Conditions of the USSR Disintegration"(PDF).Finnish-Ugric Communications.36:132 – via University of Helsinki.
  29. ^"Rebels stage new invasion of Dagestan".The Independent.September 6, 1999.
  30. ^"Russia Sends Ground Troops into Chechnya, Raising Fears".The New York Times.October 1, 1999.
  31. ^"Занятость и безработица в Российской Федерации в феврале 2020 года (по итогам обследования рабочей силы)".May 27, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2020.
  32. ^"Most Russian soldiers killed in action in Ukraine come from Russia's poorest regions".Ukrainska Pravda.April 25, 2022.
  33. ^"Дагестан лидирует по числу погибших в Украине"
  34. ^"Больше, чем в Афгане. Почему Дагестан лидирует по потерям в Украине?".RFE/RL.May 2022.
  35. ^Murphy, Matt; Thomas, Merlyn (September 26, 2022)."Ukraine war: Protests in Russia's Dagestan region against new draft".BBC News.RetrievedSeptember 26,2022.
  36. ^"Hundreds storm airport in Russia in antisemitic riot over arrival of plane from Israel – CBS News".www.cbsnews.com.October 30, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
  37. ^"Anti-Israel mob storms Dagestan airport in Russia".BBC News.October 29, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
  38. ^"Vladimir Vasilyev appointed Acting Head of Dagestan".President of Russia.October 3, 2017.RetrievedMay 2,2019.
  39. ^Ware, Robert Bruce (March 29, 2008)."Islamic Resistance and Political Hegemony in Dagestan".Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2014.RetrievedMay 28,2014.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  40. ^Russian Federal State Statistics Service.Всероссийская перепись населения 2020 года. Том 1[2020 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1](XLS)(in Russian).Federal State Statistics Service.
  41. ^Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011).Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1[2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1].Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census](in Russian).Federal State Statistics Service.
  42. ^Federal State Statistics Service(May 21, 2004).Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек[Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000](XLS).Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002](in Russian).
  43. ^Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров[All Union Population Census of 1989: Present Population of Union and Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Oblasts and Okrugs, Krais, Oblasts, Districts, Urban Settlements, and Villages Serving as District Administrative Centers].Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года [All-Union Population Census of 1989](in Russian). Институт демографии Национального исследовательского университета: Высшая школа экономики [Institute of Demography at the National Research University: Higher School of Economics]. 1989 – viaDemoscope Weekly.
  44. ^"Демографический ежегодник России"[The Demographic Yearbook of Russia] (in Russian).Federal State Statistics Service of Russia(Rosstat).RetrievedJune 1,2022.
  45. ^"Ожидаемая продолжительность жизни при рождении"[Life expectancy at birth].Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System of Russia(in Russian). Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2022.RetrievedJune 1,2022.
  46. ^"ЕМИСС".fedstat.ru(in Russian). Archived fromthe originalon May 7, 2023.
  47. ^"Национальный состав населения".Federal State Statistics Service.RetrievedDecember 30,2022.
  48. ^Wixman, Ronald (1984). "The Peoples of the USSR: An Ethnographic Handbook".Armonk,New York:M. E. Sharpe, Inc:11.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  49. ^Перепись-2010: русских становится больше(in Russian). Perepis-2010.ru. December 19, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon December 25, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 15,2012.
  50. ^Beliaev, Edward; Oksana Buranbaeva (2006).Dagestan.New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. p.89.ISBN0761420150.RetrievedApril 4,2013.
  51. ^Moseley, Christopher (2010)."UNESCO Interactive Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger".United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.UNESCO.RetrievedOctober 3,2016.
  52. ^Kemper, Michael (2011)."An Island of Classical Arabic in the Caucasus: Dagestan".In Françoise Companjen; László Károly Marácz; Lia Versteegh (eds.).Exploring the Caucasus in the 21st Century: Essays on Culture, History and Politics in a Dynamic Context.Amsterdam: Pallas Publications. pp. 63–90.ISBN9789089641830.RetrievedApril 4,2013.
  53. ^Comrie, Bernard(1981).The Languages of the Soviet Union.Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p.199.ISBN0521232309.RetrievedApril 4,2013.Khunzakh.
  54. ^Pieter Muysken. (2008).Studies in language companion series. From linguistic areas to areal linguistics.Vol. 90. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 74.ISBN9789027231000.
  55. ^Nansen.Gjennem Kaukasus til Volga (Oslo: Jacob Dybwads Forlag, 1929).
  56. ^Н.С.Трубецкой (1925). "О народах Кавказа" (статья ed.).{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  57. ^Ярцева В.Н. и др. (ред.) Языки Российской Федерации и соседних государств. Том 2. К-Р, стр. 183
  58. ^"Kafkaz Lehçeni Tatar Grammatikası, Makarov 1848".caucasian.space(in Kumyk and Russian). Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2017.RetrievedJune 28,2017.
  59. ^abc"Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia".Sreda, 2012.
  60. ^"Salafis mustered".The Economist.
  61. ^"Biography of Shaykh Said Afandi al-Chirkawi".Islamdag.info. July 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 4,2012.
  62. ^Robert Bruce Ware& Enver Kisriev,Dagestan: Russian Hegemony and Islamic Resistance in the North Caucasus,M. E. Sharpe, 2010, p. 90
  63. ^Mountain JewsatWorld Culture Encyclopedia
  64. ^"Slavic Center for Law & Justice".SCLJ. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 15,2012.
  65. ^Magomed Gasanov (2001). "On Christianity in Dagestan".Iran & the Caucasus.5:79–84.doi:10.1163/157338401X00080.JSTOR4030847.
  66. ^[1]ArchivedAugust 11, 2010, at theWayback Machine
  67. ^Yunusbayev, Bayazit; Kutuev, Ildus; Khusainova, Rita; Guseinov, Gadzhi; Khusnutdinova, Elza (August 2006)."Genetic structure of Dagestan populations: a study of 11 Alu insertion polymorphisms".Human Biology.78(4): 465–476.doi:10.1353/hub.2006.0059.ISSN0018-7143.PMID17278621.
  68. ^DagestanMicrosoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008.ArchivedOctober 31, 2009.
  69. ^abDagestan RepublicArchivedSeptember 6, 2009, at theWayback MachineKommersant March 10, 2004
  70. ^Dagestan's Economic Crisis: Past, Present and FutureNorth Caucasus Weekly December 31, 2006
  71. ^Russia's Dagestan: Conflict CausesArchivedMarch 28, 2014, at theWayback Machine.International Crisis GroupEurope Report N°192. June 3, 2008. Access date: April 7, 2014.
  72. ^Broadband Russia Newslatter
  73. ^"Makhachkala | Russia".Encyclopedia Britannica.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  74. ^"Lezginka | dance".Encyclopedia Britannica.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  75. ^"Подготовка и защита диссертации Казимагомедовой Айшат Абдулгапуровны".www.naukadgpu.ru.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2017.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  76. ^Ponomarev, Text by Sergey (March 18, 2018)."A Wrestling Culture That Helps Keep Boys Away From Fighting".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 4,2021.
  77. ^"How Dagestan is raising the next generation of MMA champions in the wrestling room".www.mmafighting.com.April 3, 2020.RetrievedNovember 4,2021.

General and cited references

  • В. М. Солнцев; et al., eds. (2000).Письменные языки мира: Российская Федерация. Социолингвистическая энциклопедия.(in Russian). Москва: Российская Академия Наук. Институт языкознания. проект №99-04-16158.
  • 10 июля 2003 г. «Конституция Республики Дагестан», в ред. Закона №45 от 7 октября 2008 г.(July 10, 2003Constitution of the Republic of Dagestan,as amended by the Law #45 of October 7, 2008. ).

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related toDagestan.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forDagestan.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dagestan&oldid=1239876743"