Dagestan means the "Mountain Country" in Turkic as 56% of its total territory is covered with mountain ranges and valleys. Mountain peaks covered with snow all year round impress tourists with their magnificent beauty and calm. Green valleys and meadows, sand seashore and world famous Caucasian hospitality contribute to the growing popularity of the region.

Dagestan is unique due to a great variety of cultures and peoples, too: more than 30 ethnic groups have been living here from time immemorial on a relatively small territory, forming the united community of peoples who have never waged wars against each other. It is not by mere chance that the land of Mountains is otherwise called the "Mountain of Languages".

Folklore and handicraft traditions, especially in the mountainous regions are as rich in Dagestan as anywhere else in Russia. Dagestan’s intricately patterned carpets and textiles are the most renowned of the region’s crafts. Other crafts such as jewelry making, pottery making, wood notching, etc are also well known throughout the world.

Dagestan is rich in historical and cultural monuments. There are over 8,000 monuments in Dagestan that are under federal protection. Some of them are truly unique ones: grandiose defense system in Derbent, 7th century Naryn-Kala fortress, 13-15th centuries mosques and fortresses, etc.

Situated on the joint of Europe and Asia, Dagestan belongs to both East and West. Grandiose mountainous landscapes, picturesque fertile valleys, deserts and liana forests, waterfalls and wonderful sea beaches enrapture the spectator with their inimitable beauty, and those who have seen these picturesque landscapes of Dagestan, starve for returning here again and again.

Dagestan, this "museum in the open air", is far from having been studied to the full, its ancient fortresses, manuscripts, and heroic legends still keep many mysteries. But the way of life of the peoples of Dagestan can be undoubtedly called the phenomenon of the "Dagestan civilization".

Ethnic composition

Dagestan is one of the most ethnically compound region: more than 100 nationalities and peoples, including 30 indigenous, representing large linguistic families and groups, like Iberian-Caucasian, Turk, Iranian, Indo-European and others, are settled here. The local languages in their major part fall into dialects and patois. Three major ethnic groups inhabiting Dagestan are Dagestan, Turkic and Indo-European. Some of the largest groups are Avar, Dargin, Lezgin, Kumyk, Lakh, Russian, Nogay, etc.