Highland Dagestan: nature, relief, environmental problems

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 a land of reserves, a corner of amazing nature.

The diverse Dagestan

The geographical position of Highland 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. The latitude is about 200 km. The coast lines of the Caspian stretch 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 entire republic is lowland. The northwestern and southeastern ranges, which are divided by basins and valleys, occupy 12% and are called the foothill part. Highland Dagestan is 37% of the republic. Mountainous territory - the transition from large plateaus to narrow peaks, which reach 2500 meters.

The Dagestan Arc

Almost half of the republic is mountainous terrain. It is worth noting that most of it is highland meadow type. There are more than 30 peaks that have crossed the line of 4000 meters. And dozens of mountains, the meters of which almost reach this mark. The total area of the mountains is 25,500 km2. Therefore, the average height of the republic is 960 meters above sea level. The highest mountain is Bazarduziu, its height is 4466 m.

The rocks, the base of the mountains, are clearly divided by regions. Black and clay shales, dolomitized and alkaline limestones, sandstones are most often found. The snow ridge, Bogos and Shalib is a slate.

The foothills with a length of 225 km cut into a transverse ridge, thus forming a stone wall that entwines the inner highland Dagestan. It is there that the largest influx of visitor travelers.

Tourist roads of Dagestan pass through the mountains, which are an ornament of the region. Colorful peaks, picturesque ridges, a grid of mountain streams and passes of all levels of complexity are the main places of pilgrimage for adventurers.

Mountain weather zone

The climate of the republic depends on the soil zone. The area, where the altitude above sea level is more than 1000 meters, is mountainous. This area occupies about 40% of the entire territory of the republic. Despite the difference in surface, the climate can be attributed to the moderately continental.

High-mountainous Dagestan is characterized by striking temperature changes in the indicators compared with the lowland. At an altitude of 3000 meters, the temperature does not rise above 0 ° C during the year. The coldest month is January, its value ranges from -4 ° C to -7 ° C. There is not much snow, but it can cover the ground throughout the year. The warm month is August. The summers are cold at the top, but warm in the valleys.

Rainfall is uneven. From May to July, the main part of the rain falls. Often pass thunderclouds. Downpours can be delayed for several weeks. Precipitations fill the rivers, and they demolish bridges and wash away the paths.

River system

The relief of the highland Dagestan contributed to the emergence of a dense network of rivers. On the area of 50 270 km², there are about 6255 rivers. But here it is worth noting that most of them have a length of more than 10 km. Highland 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 "stubborn". Its length is 169 km. This is the owner of the largest in Russia canyon. Its length is about 50 km. The maximum depth is 1920 meters. Samur was formerly known as the "river of Chevecher." This is the second river of Dagestan. Its length is 213 km.

In general, 92% of all rivers are mountainous, the remaining 8% occur in the lowlands and in the foothills. The average flow velocity is 1-2 m / s. In high waters, the speed increases. The rivers are mostly replenished by melt water. The exception is the Gulgerychay river.

Each of the rivers belongs to the Caspian basin, but only 20 of them fall into the sea. Before the Caspian, deltas are formed, which change their direction every year.

Wealth of the mountainous region

Dagestan is divided into three geographical belts, each of which has its own characteristics.

The foothills are the place of chestnut and mountain-forest soils. On broad plateaus and slopes there is a mountain chernozem. There are steppe, forest and meadow mountain lands.

Lowlands are used for agricultural purposes. The mountainous terrain is replete with forest plantations (totaling more than 10%). The forest is made up of oaks. In the southern areas of the strictly beech-hornbeam forest. In the interior there are birch and pine trees. Plateau - pasture for flocks. The poorest part of the mountains are the peaks. Only cold mosses and lichens survive there.

The wildlife of the highland Dagestan is unique. This territory is inhabited by a Dagestan tour, a dark brown bear, a noble Caucasian deer, a roe deer, a bezoar goat, and leopards. Many researchers are amazed at the world of birds. Ulars, Keklik, Alpine jackdaws and eagles consider the highlands to be the best place for living.

Ecology and nature protection

The pride of the region is nature reserves and nature parks. Every year more and more territories are under state protection. The wealth of the land needs protection and care. To preserve the uniqueness of flora and fauna is the main task of the current authorities.

But today there are serious environmental problems of highland Dagestan. The biggest - dirty sources of drinking water. Harm brings human activity. Once upon a time pure rivers are drowned in a mountain of household waste. Not less harm is brought by the theft of minerals and deforestation. Air is polluted by factories and factories. Poor system of garbage disposal.

The greatest danger to these magnificent places is the negligent attitude of local residents to nature. Do not forget that the whole of Dagestan is located in a mountainous area. Random deforestation leads to the fact that the slopes are destroyed. Every year, the process of erosion is only increasing. Therefore, the country can soon completely change its appearance or even disappear altogether.