View source for Dagestan

{{Short description|Republic of Russia}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Dağıstan|the neighbourhood in Ceyhan, Turkey|Dağıstan, Ceyhan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox Russian federal subject
|en_name = Republic of Dagestan
|ru_name = Республика Дагестан<br>{{collapsible list
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:86%;
|title = 13 other official names
| {{Infobox
| subbox = yes
| bodystyle = font-size:77%;font-weight:normal;
| rowclass1 = mergedrow
| label1 = [[Avar language|Avar]]:
| data1 = {{lang|av|Дагъистан Жумгьурият}}
| rowclass2 = mergedrow
| label2 = [[Dargin language|Dargin]]:
| data2 = {{lang|dar|Дагъистан Республика}}
| rowclass3 = mergedrow
| label3 = [[Kumyk language|Kumyk]]:
| data3 = {{lang|kum|Дагъыстан Жумгьурият}}
| rowclass4 = mergedrow
| label4 = [[Lezgian language|Lezgian]]:
| data4 = {{lang|lez|Дагъустандин Республика}}
| rowclass5 = mergedrow
| label5 = [[Lak language|Lak]]:
| data5 = {{lang|lbe|Дагъусттаннал Республика}}
| rowclass6 = mergedrow
| label6 = [[Tabasaran language|Tabasaran]]:
| data6 = {{lang|tab|Дагъустан Республика}}
| rowclass7 = mergedrow
| label7 = [[Rutul language|Rutul]]:
| data7 = {{lang|ts|Республика Дагъустан}}
| rowclass8 = mergedrow
| label8 = [[Aghul language|Aghul]]:
| data8 = {{lang|agx|Республика Дагъустан}}
| rowclass9 = mergedrow
| label9 = [[Tsakhur language|Tsakhur]]:
| data9 = {{lang|tkr|Республика Дагъустан}}
| rowclass10 = mergedrow
| label10 = [[Nogai language|Nogai]]:
| data10 = {{lang|nog|Дагыстан Республикасы}}
| rowclass11 = mergedrow
| label11 = [[Chechen language|Chechen]]:
| data11 = {{lang|ce|Дегӏестан Республика}}
| rowclass12 = mergedrow
| label12 = [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]:
| data12 = {{lang|az-Cyrl|Дағыстан Республикасы}}
| rowclass13 = mergedrow
| label13 = [[Tat language (Caucasus)|Tat]]:
| data13 = {{lang|ttt|Республикей Догъисту}}
 }}
}}
|image_skyline = Сулакский каньон.jpg
|image_caption = The [[Sulak (river)|Sulak]] river flowing through the [[Sulak Canyon]]
|image_map = Locator map of Dagestan, Russia (2014–2022).svg
|image_map2 = 
|mapsize2 = 
|map_alt2 = 
|map_caption2 = {{map caption|location_color=dark green|region=Europe|region_color=green}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 5
| mapframe-height = 250
| mapframe-stroke-width = 1
|coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q5118|type:adm1st_region:RU-DA|display=it}}
|image_coa = [[File:Coat of arms of Dagestan.svg|84px]]
|image_flag = Flag of Dagestan.svg
|anthem = "[[State Anthem of Dagestan]]"<br />{{small|(The Oath)}}{{center|[[File:State Anthem of the Republic of Dagestan.ogg]]}}
|political_status = Republic 
|political_status_link = Republics of Russia
|federal_district = [[North Caucasian Federal District|North Caucasian]]
|economic_region = [[North Caucasus economic region|North Caucasus]]
|adm_ctr_type = Capital
|adm_ctr_name = [[Makhachkala]]
|official_lang_list = {{hlist|[[Aghul language|Aghul]]|[[Avar language|Avar]]|[[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]|[[Chechen language|Chechen]]|[[Dargwa language|Dargwa]]|[[Kumyk language|Kumyk]]|[[Lezgian language|Lezgin]]|[[Lak language|Lak]]|[[Nogai language|Nogai]]|[[Rutul language|Rutul]]|[[Tabasaran language|Tabasaran]]|[[Tat language (Caucasus)|Tat]]|[[Tsakhur language|Tsakhur]]}}
|official_lang_ref = <ref name="ConstitutionLangs">According to Article&nbsp;11 of the Constitution of Dagestan, the official languages of the republic include "Russian and the languages of the peoples of Dagestan"</ref><ref name="Languages">Solntsev et al., pp.&nbsp;XXXIX–XL</ref>
|pop_2021census = 3182054 {{increase}}
{{ublist |item_style = white-space:nowrap;
|30.5% [[Avars (Caucasus)|Avars]]|16.6% [[Dargins]]|15.8% [[Kumyks]]|13.3% [[Lezgins]]|5.2% [[Laks (Caucasus)|Laks]]|4% [[Tabasarans]]|3.7% [[Dagestani Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijanis]]|3.3% [[Russians]]|3.2% [[Chechens]]|1% [[Rutul people|Rutulians]]|3.3% other}}
|pop_2021census_rank = 10th
|urban_pop_2021census = 45.2%
|rural_pop_2021census = 54.8%
|pop_2021census_ref = <ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации |url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx |publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]] |access-date=September 1, 2022}}</ref>
|area_km2 = 50270
|area_km2_rank = 52nd
|established_date = January&nbsp;20, 1921
|established_date_ref = <ref name="DateEstablished">{{Cite Russian law |ru_entity = Всероссийский Центральный Исполнительный Комитет |ru_type = Декрет |ru_date = 20 января 1921 г. |ru_title = Об Автономной Дагестанской Социалистической Советской Республике |en_entity = [[All-Russian Central Executive Committee]] |en_type = Decree |en_date = January 20, 1921 |en_title = On Autonomous Dagestan Socialist Soviet Republic}}</ref>
|license_plates = 05
|ISO = RU-DA
|leader_title = [[Head of the Republic of Dagestan|Head]]
|leader_title_ref = <ref name="HeadLegis">Constitution, Article&nbsp;8</ref>
|leader_name = [[Sergey Melikov]]
|legislature = [[People's Assembly of Dagestan|People's Assembly]]
|legislature_ref = <ref name="HeadLegis"/>
|website = http://www.e-dag.ru/
}}
[[File:Сулакский каньон.jpg|thumb|[[Sulak Canyon]] is one of the world's deepest canyons]]
[[File:Старый Кахиб, Дагестан.jpg|thumb|Kakhib, one of many abandoned [[aul]]s in Dagestan]]
[[File:Grar village - Dagestan.jpg|thumb|Abandoned [[Lezgins|Lezgin]] village of Grar]]
[[File:Рутульский район Село Лучек.jpg|thumb|[[Rutul people|Rutulian]] village [[Luchek]]]]

'''Dagestan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|d|æ|ɡ|ᵻ|ˈ|s|t|æ|n|,_|-|ˈ|s|t|ɑː|n}} {{respell|DAG|i|STA(H)N}}; {{langx|ru|Дагестан}}; {{IPA|ru|dəɡʲɪˈstan|IPA}}), officially the '''Republic of Dagestan''',{{efn|{{langx|ru|Республика Дагестан|Respublika Dagestan}}}} is a [[republics of Russia|republic]] of [[Russia]] situated in the [[North Caucasus]] of [[Eastern Europe]], along the [[Caspian Sea]]. It is located north of the [[Greater Caucasus]], and is a part of the [[North Caucasian Federal District]]. The republic is the southernmost tip of Russia, sharing land borders with the countries of [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] to the south and southwest, the Russian republics of [[Chechnya]] and [[Kalmykia]] to the west and north, and with [[Stavropol Krai]] to the northwest. [[Makhachkala]] is the republic's [[Capital city|capital]] and [[types of inhabited localities in Russia|largest city]]; other major cities are [[Derbent]], [[Kizlyar]], [[Izberbash]], [[Kaspiysk]], and [[Buynaksk]].

Dagestan covers an area of {{convert|50300|km2|abbr=off}}, with a population of over 3.1&nbsp;million,<ref name=est20>{{cite web |title=Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации |url=https://www.gks.ru/storage/mediabank/PrPopul2020.xls |publisher=Главная::Федеральная служба государственной статистики |access-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124195204/https://www.gks.ru/storage/mediabank/PrPopul2020.xls |url-status=dead}}</ref> consisting of over 30 ethnic groups and 81 nationalities.<ref name=Britannica>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/149638/ |title=Dagestan |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |access-date=October 24, 2020}}</ref> 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 most [[Homogeneity and heterogeneity|heterogeneous]] administrative divisions in the world.<ref>{{cite book |title=Will Russia Become a Muslim Society? |last=Heinrich |first=Hans-Georg |author2=Lobova, Ludmila |author3=Malashenko, Alexei |year=2011 |publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=978-3631609132 |page=46 |access-date=August 6, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0aAW8O4CTkAC&pg=PA46}}</ref> Most of the residents speak one of the [[Northeast Caucasian languages|Northeast Caucasian]], or [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] languages;<ref name=Britannica/> however, [[Russian language|Russian]] is the primary language and the [[lingua franca]] in the republic.<ref name=dictionary>{{cite book |title=Dictionary of Languages: The Definitive Reference to More Than 400 Languages |last=Dalby |first=Andrew |year=2004 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=0231115695 |page=59 |access-date=August 6, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CnckpL8auSIC&pg=PA59}}</ref> Dagestan is known internationally for its strong culture of combat sambo, many of their fighters later turned to mixed martial arts.

==Toponymy==
{{anchor|Terminology}}
The word ''Dagestan'' is of [[Turkish language|Turkish]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] origin, directly translating to "land of the mountains". The Turkish word {{wikt-lang|tr|dağ}} means "mountain", and the Persian suffix ''[[-stan]]'' means "land".

Some areas of Dagestan were known as ''[[Lezgistan|Lekia]]'', ''[[Avars (Caucasus)|Avaria]]'' and ''[[Shamkhalate of Tarki|Tarki]]'' at various times.<ref>{{cite book |author=Zonn, Igor S. |title=The Caspian Sea Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] |place=Berlin |page=280 |display-authors=etal}}</ref>

Between 1860 and 1920, ''Dagestan'' was referred to as [[Dagestan Oblast]], corresponding to the southeastern part of the present-day republic. The current borders were created with the establishment of the [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] in 1921, with the incorporation of the eastern part of [[Terek Oblast]], which is not mountainous but includes the [[Terek River|Terek]] [[littoral]] at the southern end of the [[Caspian Depression]].

===Names in its official languages===
*[[Russian language|Russian]] – Республика Дагестан (Respublika Dagestan)
*[[Avar language|Avar]] – Дагъистан Республика (Daġistan Respublika)
*[[Dargin language|Dargin]] – Дагъистан Республика (Daġistan Respublika)
*[[Kumyk language|Kumyk]] – Дагъыстан Жумгьурият (Республика) (Dağıstan Cumhuriyat / Respublika)
*[[Lezgian language|Lezgian]] – Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
*[[Lak language|Lak]] – Дагъусттаннал Республика (Daġusttannal Respublika)
*[[Tabasaran language|Tabasaran]] – Дагъустан Республика (Daġustan Respublika)
*[[Rutul language|Rutul]] – Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
*[[Aghul language|Aghul]] – Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
*[[Tsakhur language|Tsakhur]] – Республика Дагъустан (Respublika Daġustan)
*[[Nogai language|Nogai]] – Дагыстан Республикасы (Dağıstan Respublikası)
*[[Chechen language|Chechen]] – Дегӏестан Республика (Deġestan Respublika)
*[[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] – Дағыстан Республикасы (Dağıstan Respublikası)
*[[Tat language (Caucasus)|Tat]] – Республикей Догъисту (Respublikei Doġistu)

==Geography==
{{Location map+|Russia Southern Federal District|width=250px|float=right|relief=1|thumb|caption=[[federal subjects of Russia|Federal subjects]] in the [[Black Sea]]-[[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] area.
* the [[North Caucasus Federal District]]'s republics: [[Karachay-Cherkessia]], [[Kabardino-Balkaria]], [[North Ossetia-Alania]], [[Ingushetia]], [[Chechnya]] and Dagestan
* to the north and west: the [[Southern Federal District]]
|places=
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.92|long=41.78|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=bottom|label=[[Karachay-Cherkessia|KC]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.70|long=43.40|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=bottom|label=[[Kabardino-Balkaria|KB]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.50|long=44.50|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=bottom|label=[[North Ossetia-Alania|Oss]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.20|long=44.97|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=top|label=[[Ingushetia|In]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.70|long=45.72|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=bottom|label=[[Chechnya|Ch]]}}

{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=45.03|long=38.97|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=top|label=[[Krasnodar Krai]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=44.80|long=40.70|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=left|label=[[Adygea]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=45.20|long=41.98|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=right|label=[[Stavropol Krai]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=47.00|long=41.00|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=top|label=[[Rostov Oblast]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=49.00|long=44.52|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=top|label=[[Volgograd Oblast]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=47.68|long=46.20|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=right|label=[[Astrakhan Oblast]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=46.50|long=44.00|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=right|label=[[Kalmykia]]}}
{{Location map~|Russia Southern Federal District|lat=43.75|long=46.20|mark=Clear pog.svg|position=right|label=Dage-<br />stan}}
}}
The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains. It is the southernmost part of Russia and is bordered on its eastern side by the [[Caspian Sea]].
*''Area'': {{convert|50300|km2|sp=us}}
*''Borders'':
**''internal'': [[Kalmykia]] (N), [[Chechnya]] (W), and [[Stavropol Krai]] (NW)
**''international'': [[Azerbaijan]] ([[Balakan District]], [[Khachmaz District]], [[Oghuz District]], [[Qabala District]], [[Qakh District]], [[Qusar District]], [[Shaki District]] and [[Zaqatala District]]) (S), [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] ([[Kakheti]]) (SW)
**''water'': [[Caspian Sea]] (E)
*''Highest point'': [[Mount Bazardüzü]]/Bazardyuzyu: {{Convert|4446|m|}}
*''Maximum north–south distance'': {{convert|400|km|sp=us}}
*''Maximum east–west distance'': {{convert|200|km|sp=us}}

===Rivers===

There are over 1,800 rivers in the republic. Major rivers include:
* [[Sulak River]]
* [[Samur River]]
* [[Terek River]]
* Avar Koisu
* [[Andi Koisu]]
* Kazi-Kumukh Koisu

===Lakes===
Dagestan has about {{convert|405|km|mi|sp=us}} of [[coast]]line on the world's largest inland sea, the [[Caspian Sea]].

===Mountains===

Most of Dagestan is mountainous, with the Greater [[Caucasus Mountains]] covering the south of the republic. The highest point is the [[Mount Bazardüzü|Bazardüzü/Bazardyuzyu]] peak at {{convert|4470|m|sp=us}}, on the border with [[Azerbaijan]]. The [[Extreme points of Russia|southernmost point of Russia]] is located about seven kilometers southwest of the peak. Other important mountains are [[Diklosmta]] ({{Convert|4285|m||abbr=on}}), [[Gora Addala Shukgelmezr]] ({{Convert|4152|m||abbr=on}}) and [[Gora Dyultydag]] ({{Convert|4127|m||abbr=on}}). The town of [[Kumukh]] is one of the settlements on the mountains.

===Natural resources===
Dagestan is rich in [[Petroleum|oil]], [[natural gas]], [[coal]], and many other minerals and resources.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.investinginrussia.ru/russia/regions/15137/ |title=Dagestan Republic |website=www.investinginrussia.ru |access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate is classified as a [[continental climate]], with a significant lack of precipitation. It is among the warmest places in Russia. In the mountainous regions, it is [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
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*''Average January temperature'': {{convert|+2|C}}
*''Average July temperature'': {{convert|+26|C}}
*''Average annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]]'': {{convert|250|mm|0|abbr=on}} (northern plains) to {{convert|800|mm|0|abbr=on}} (in the mountains).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worlddata.info/europe/russia/climate-dagestan.php |title=Climate in Dagestan, Russia |website=Worlddata.info |language=en |access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Dagestan}}

Dagestan is divided into forty-one administrative [[raion|districts]] (''raions'') and ten [[city of federal subject significance|cities/towns]]. The districts are further subdivided into nineteen [[urban-type settlement of district significance|urban-type settlements]], and 363 [[selsoviet|rural okrugs and stanitsa okrugs]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Dagestan}}
[[File:Derbent gate.jpg|thumb|right|Inside the Persian fortress of [[Derbent]], a [[World Heritage Site]]]]

In the first few centuries&nbsp;AD, [[Caucasian Albania]] (corresponding to modern Azerbaijan and southern Dagestan) became a vassal and eventually subordinate to the [[Parthian Empire]]. With the advent of the [[Sasanian Empire]], it became a [[Albania (satrapy)|satrapy]] (province) within the vast domains of the empire. In later antiquity, a few wars were fought as the [[Roman Empire]] unsuccessfully attempted to contest Sasanid rule over the region. Over the centuries, to a relatively large extent, the peoples within the Dagestan territory converted to [[Christianity]] alongside [[Zoroastrianism]].

In the 5th century, the Sassanids gained the upper hand, and by the 6th century had constructed a strong citadel at [[Derbent]], known from then on as the [[Caspian Gates]], while the [[Huns]] overran the northern part of Dagestan, followed by the [[Caucasian Avars]]. During the Sassanian era, southern Dagestan became a bastion of Persian culture and civilization, with its center at Derbent.<ref>Michael Khodarkovsky (2015). [https://archive.org/details/bitterchoicesloy0000khod/page/47 <!-- quote=derbent is a persian city. --> "Bitter Choices: Loyalty and Betrayal in the Russian Conquest of the North Caucasus"]. Cornell University Press. {{ISBN|0801462908}} pp. 47–52</ref> A policy of "[[Persianisation]]" can be traced over many centuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/dagestan |title=Dagestan |access-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

===Islamic influence===
During the [[Early Muslim conquests|Islamic conquests]], the Dagestani people (region of [[Derbent]]) were the first people to become Muslims within current Russian territory, after the [[Arab people|Arab]] conquest of the region in 643.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/islam-islam-caucasus-and-middle-volga |title=Islam: Islam in the Caucasus and the Middle Volga &#124; Encyclopedia.com |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> In the 8th century Arabs repeatedly [[Arab–Khazar wars|clashed with the Khazars]]. Although the local population rose against the Arabs of Derbent in 905 and 913, [[Islam]] was [[Islamization|still adopted]] in urban centers, such as [[Samandar (city)|Samandar]] and [[Kubachi language|Kubachi]] (Zerechgeran), from where it steadily diffused into the highlands. By the 15th century, [[Christianity]] had died away, leaving a 10th-century [[Datuna Church|Church of Datuna]] as the sole monument to its existence.

===Seljuk Turks===
[[File:Mongol horserider with cloud collar, House of Ahmad and Ibrahim, Kubachi in the Caucasus, second half 14th century CE.jpg|thumb|Mongol horserider with "[[cloud collar]]", House of Ahmad and Ibrahim, [[Kubachi (urban-type settlement)|Kubachi]] in the Caucasus, second half 14th century CE]]
In the second half of the 11th century, the [[Seljuk Turks]] took part of the region of Dagestan under their control.<ref name=TDV>{{Cite web |title=DAĞISTAN – TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/dagistan |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

===Mongol rule===
{{See also|Golden Horde|Ilkhanate}}

The Mongols raided the lands in 1221–1222 then conquered Derbent and the surrounding area from 1236 to 1239 during the [[Mongol invasions of Georgia|invasions of Georgia]] and [[Mongol invasions of Durdzuketia|Durdzuketia]].

===Timurids===
The [[Timurids]] incorporated the region into their realm following the Mongols.<ref name=TDV/>

===Alternating Persian and Russian rule===
{{See also|Shamkhalate of Tarki}}
[[File:Coin of Nader Shah, minted in Daghestan (Dagestan).jpg|thumb|right|Silver coin of [[Nader Shah]], minted in Dagestan, dated 1741–42 (left = obverse; right = reverse)]]

As Mongolian authority gradually eroded, new centers of power emerged in Kaitagi and [[Tarki]]. In the early 16th century, the Persians (under the [[Safavids]]) 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 the [[Russo-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 of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] forces under the command of Mustafa Pasha. With a treaty signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire [[Treaty of Constantinople (1724)|in 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.<ref name=TDV/>

The territories were however returned to [[Safavid dynasty|Persia]] in 1735 per the [[Treaty of Ganja]].

Between 1730 and the early course of the 1740s, following his brother's murder in Dagestan, the new Persian ruler and military genius [[Nader Shah]] led a lengthy [[Nader's Dagestan campaign|campaign in swaths of Dagestan]] in 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 the [[Derbent Khanate]], with its center at Derbent. The [[Persian expedition of 1796]] resulted 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 the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–1813)]] that Russian power over Dagestan was confirmed, and that [[Qajar Persia]] officially 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 the [[Treaty of Gulistan]].<ref>Timothy C. Dowling (2014). [https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728 ''Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond'']. pp. 728–730. ABC-CLIO. {{ISBN|1598849484}}</ref> The 1828 [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] indefinitely consolidated Russian control over Dagestan and removed Persia from the military equation.<ref>Aksan, Virginia (2014). ''Ottoman Wars, 1700–1870: An Empire Besieged''. p. 463. Routledge. {{ISBN|978-1317884033}}</ref>

===Uprisings against Imperial Russia===
[[File:Shamil by Denier.jpg|thumb|left|[[Imam Shamil]], national hero and freedom fighter]]
[[File:Sunni Muslim man wearing traditional dress and headgear.jpg|thumb|right|Dagestani man, photographed by [[Sergey 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 Muslim [[Imamate of Dagestan]], led by [[Ghazi Mohammed]] (1828–1832), [[Hamzat Bek]] (1832–1834) and [[Imam Shamil|Shamil]] (1834–1859). This [[Caucasian War]] raged until 1864.

Dagestan and Chechnya profited from the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)]], rising together against the [[Russian 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 the [[Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus]]).{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} The capital of the new state was moved to [[Buynaksk|Temir-Khan-Shura]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://1900.ethnia.org/polity.php?ASK_CODE=KC__&ASK_YY=1919&ASK_MM=05&ASK_DD=07&SL=en |title=Republic of the North Caucasus Federation |website=1900.ethnia.org |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101340/http://1900.ethnia.org/polity.php?ASK_CODE=KC__&ASK_YY=1919&ASK_MM=05&ASK_DD=07&SL=en |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.isobrain.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223044426/http://savechechnya.com/eng.news/press_1273.htm |url-status=dead |title=ISO Brain – Premium Supplement For Your Brain |date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2014}}</ref> The first prime minister of the state was [[Tapa 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.<ref>[http://vainah.info/biblioteka/izvestnye-vaynahi/item/730-vassan-girey-dzhabagiev?tmpl=component&print=1 Вассан-Гирей Джабагиев] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174845/http://vainah.info/biblioteka/izvestnye-vaynahi/item/730-vassan-girey-dzhabagiev?tmpl=component&print=1 |date=February 21, 2014 }}</ref> After the [[Bolshevik Revolution]], [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] armies occupied [[Azerbaijan]] and Dagestan and the region became part of the short-lived [[Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus]]. After more than three years of fighting the [[White Army]] and local nationalists, the Bolsheviks achieved victory and the [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] was 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 declaring [[Parade of sovereignties|sovereignty]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zamyatin |first=Konstantin |date=2013 |title=Sovereignisation and State Languages: Early Formation of Language Policy of Russia's Finno-Ugric Republics in the Conditions of the USSR Disintegration |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/20125831.pdf |journal=Finnish-Ugric Communications |volume=36 |pages=132 |via=University of Helsinki}}</ref>

===Post-Soviet era===
On August 7, 1999, the [[Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade]] (IIPB), an Islamist group from [[Chechnya]] led by warlords [[Shamil Basayev]], [[Ibn Al-Khattab]] and [[Ramzan Akhmadov]], launched a military [[War of Dagestan|invasion 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.<ref name="theindependent">{{cite news |title=Rebels stage new invasion of Dagestan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/rebels-stage-new-invasion-of-dagestan-1116858.html |work=The Independent |date=September 6, 1999}}</ref> In response to the invasion, Russian forces subsequently [[Second Chechen War|reinvaded Chechnya later that year]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia Sends Ground Troops into Chechnya, Raising Fears |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/world/europe/100199russia-chechnya.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 1, 1999}}</ref>

Dagestan has [[List of federal subjects of Russia by unemployment rate|one of the highest unemployment rates in Russia]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gks.ru/bgd/free/B04_03/IssWWW.exe/Stg/d05/53.htm |title=Занятость и безработица в Российской Федерации в феврале 2020 года (по итогам обследования рабочей силы) |date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527223613/https://gks.ru/bgd/free/B04_03/IssWWW.exe/Stg/d05/53.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-12-05 |title=Dagestan profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20593383 |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Dagestani soldiers participated in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], many of whom were killed in action.<ref>[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/25/7342011/ "Most Russian soldiers killed in action in Ukraine come from Russia's poorest regions"]. ''Ukrainska Pravda''. April 25, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://belsat.eu/ru/news/18-05-2022-dagestan-lidiruet-po-chislu-pogibshih-v-ukraine/ "Дагестан лидирует по числу погибших в Украине"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kavkazr.com/a/boljshe-chem-v-afgane-pochemu-dagestan-lidiruet-po-poteryam-v-ukraine-/31829226.html |title=Больше, чем в Афгане. Почему Дагестан лидирует по потерям в Украине? |website=RFE/RL |date=May 2022}}</ref> In September, Dagestan became a center of the [[2022 North Caucasian protests]] against [[2022 Russian mobilization|mobilization]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Matt |last2=Thomas |first2=Merlyn |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Protests in Russia's Dagestan region against new draft |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63028586 |work=BBC News |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref>

In 2023, during the [[Gaza war]], there were a [[2023 anti-Jewish unrest in the North Caucasus|wave of antisemitic attacks]] across the North Caucasus, including Dagestan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Hundreds storm airport in Russia in antisemitic riot over arrival of plane from Israel – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crowd-storms-russian-airport-to-protest-flight-from-israel-antisemitic-riot/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 29, 2023 |title=Anti-Israel mob storms Dagestan airport in Russia |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67258332 |access-date=October 30, 2023}}</ref>

==Politics==
[[File:Правительство Республики Дагестан.png|thumb|The Government Building of the Republic of Dagestan]]
[[File:Ilham Aliyev received head of the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation 01.jpg|thumb|[[Sergey Melikov]], the Head of Dagestan, with Azerbaijan's President [[Ilham Aliyev]] on 6 December 2022]]
The [[parliament]] of Dagestan is the [[People's Assembly of Dagestan|People's Assembly]], consisting of 72&nbsp;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 are [[Caucasian Avars|Avars]], [[Dargins]], [[Kumyks]], [[Lezgins]], [[Lak people (Dagestan)|Laks]], [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijanis]], [[Tabasaran people|Tabasarans]], [[Russians]], [[Chechens]], [[Nogais]], [[Aguls]], [[Rutuls]], [[Tsakhurs]], and [[Tat people (Caucasus)|Tats]].

Formerly, the Chairman of the State Council was the highest executive post in the republic, held by [[Magomedali Magomedov|Magomedali Magomedovich Magomedov]] until 2006. On February 20, 2006, the People's Assembly passed a resolution terminating this post and disbanding the State Council. [[Russian president]], [[Vladimir Putin]] offered the People's Assembly the candidature of [[Mukhu Aliyev]] for the newly established post of the [[president 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 by [[Magomedsalam Magomedov]]. [[Ramazan Abdulatipov]] then became the head (acting 2013–2017, following the resignation of Magomedov).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-01-28 |title=Putin Replaces President Of Daghestan |url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/ramazan-abdulatipov-daghestan-president/24886008.html |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=www.rferl.org}}</ref> On October 3, 2017, [[Vladimir Vasilyev (politician)|Vladimir Vasilyev]] was appointed as head.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55759 |title=Vladimir Vasilyev appointed Acting Head of Dagestan |website=President of Russia |date=October 3, 2017 |language=en |access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref>

In the [[2024 Russian presidential election]], which critics called rigged and fraudulent,<ref>{{cite news |date=20 March 2024 |title=The extent of fraud in Russia's presidential election begins to emerge |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/20/the-extent-of-fraud-in-russia-s-presidential-election-begins-to-emerge_6638830_4.html |work=[[Le Monde]]}}</ref> President [[Vladimir Putin]] won 92.93% of the vote in Dagestan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2024 |title=Итоги выборов президента России |url=https://ria.ru/20240317/vybory-1924359788.html |website=РИА Новости |language=ru |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317220041/https://ria.ru/20240317/vybory-1924359788.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://citation.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/5/1/0/7/pages251073/p251073-1.php |title=Islamic Resistance and Political Hegemony in Dagestan |last=Ware |first=Robert Bruce |date=March 29, 2008 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021082636/http://citation.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/5/1/0/7/pages251073/p251073-1.php |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote = Sources: Census data, estimate<ref name=2025estimate>{{cite web|title=Численность постоянного населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2025 года|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Сhisl_MO_01-01-2025.xlsx|publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]]|accessdate=27 April 2025}}</ref>
|[[Russian Empire census|1897]] | 571154
|[[1926 Soviet census|1926]] | 787883
|[[1939 Soviet census|1939]] | 1023300
|[[1959 Soviet census|1959]] | 1062472
|[[1970 Soviet census|1970]] | 1428540
|[[1979 Soviet census|1979]] | 1627884
|[[1989 Soviet census|1989]] | 1802579
|[[2002 Russian census|2002]] | 2576531
|[[2010 Russian census|2010]] | 2910249
|[[2021 Russian census|2021]] | 3182054
|2025 | 3259890
}}

===Population===

{{ru-census|p2021=3,182,054|p2010=2,910,249|p2002=2,576,531|p1989=1,802,579}}

===Life expectancy===
{{See also|List of federal subjects of Russia by life expectancy}}
Dagestan has the second highest [[life expectancy]] in Russia. Higher duration of life is observed only in [[Ingushetia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/210/document/13207 |title=Демографический ежегодник России |publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service of Russia]] (Rosstat) |access-date=June 1, 2022 |language=ru |trans-title=The Demographic Yearbook of Russia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fedstat.ru/indicator/31293 |title=Ожидаемая продолжительность жизни при рождении |website=Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System of Russia |access-date=June 1, 2022 |language=ru |trans-title=Life expectancy at birth |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220124657/https://www.fedstat.ru/indicator/31293 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{|style="text-align: center;"
!
! style="width:7em;"|2019
! style="width:7em;"|2021
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Average:
| 79.1 years
| 76.6 years
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Male:
| 76.6 years
| 74.1 years
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Female:
| 81.4 years
| 79.0 years
|}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Life expectancy in Russian subject -Dagestan.png|Life expectancy at birth in Dagestan
File:Life expectancy in Russian subject -Dagestan -diff.png|Life expectancy with calculated differences
File:Life expectancy in Russia -North Caucasus.png|Life expectancy in Dagestan in comparison with other regions of the North Caucasus
File:Comparison of life expectancy in Russian subjects by sex.svg|Interactive chart of comparison of male and female life expectancy for 2021. Open the [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Comparison_of_life_expectancy_in_Russian_subjects_by_sex.svg original svg-file] in a separate window and hover over a bubble to highlight it.
File:Comparison of life expectancy in Russian subjects by type of settlement.svg|Analogious interactive chart of comparison of urban and rural life expectancy.<br>[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Comparison_of_life_expectancy_in_Russian_subjects_by_type_of_settlement.svg Original interactive file].
</gallery>

===Settlements===
{{Largest cities
| country = Dagestan
| stat_ref = 2021 Russian Census
| list_by_pop =
| div_name =
| div_link = Administrative divisions of Dagestan{{!}}Administrative Division
| city_1 = Makhachkala
| div_1 = Makhachkala{{!}}City of republic significance of Makhachkala
| pop_1 = 623,254
| city_2 = Khasavyurt
| div_2 = Khasavyurtovsky District
| pop_2 = 155,144
| city_3 = Derbent
| div_3 = Derbentsky District
| pop_3 = 124,953
| city_4 = Kaspiysk
| div_4 = Kaspiysk{{!}}City of republic significance of Kaspiysk
| pop_4 = 121,140
| city_5 = Buynaksk
| div_5 = Buynaksky District
| pop_5 = 68,121
| city_6 = Izberbash
| div_6 = Izberbash{{!}}Town of republic significance of Izberbash
| pop_6 = 55,996
| city_7 = Kizlyar
| div_7 = Kizlyarsky District
| pop_7 = 49,999
| city_8 = Kizilyurt
| div_8 = Kizilyurtovsky District
| pop_8 = 38,335
| city_9 = Dagestanskiye Ogni
| div_9 = Dagestanskiye Ogni{{!}}Town of republic significance of Dagestanskiye Ogni
| pop_9 = 31,412
| city_10 = Karabudakhkent
| div_10 = Karabudakhkentsky District
| pop_10 = 20,710
}}

===Vital statistics===
[[File:Dagestan.svg|thumb|Map of Dagestan]]
[[File:Авария. Нижний Арадирих.jpg|thumb|A mountain village]]
[[File:Prokudin-Gorskii-44.jpg|thumb|right|A couple in Dagestan, as photographed by [[Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky]] between 1907 and 1915]]
Source: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200321050918/https://dagstat.gks.ru/naselenie Russian Federal State Statistics Service]
<ref>{{Cite web |title=ЕМИСС |url=https://www.fedstat.ru/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507145954/https://www.fedstat.ru/ |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |website=fedstat.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! style="width:70pt;"|Average population (x 1000)
! style="width:70pt;"|Live births
! style="width:70pt;"|Deaths
! style="width:70pt;"|Natural change
! style="width:70pt;"|Crude birth rate (per 1000)
! style="width:70pt;"|Crude death rate (per 1000)
! style="width:70pt;"|Natural change (per 1000)
! style="width:70pt;"|Fertility rates
|-
| 1970
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,438
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,381
| style="text-align:right;"| 9,543
| style="text-align:right;"| 31,838
| style="text-align:right;"| 28.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 22.1
|-
| 1975
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,544
| style="text-align:right;"| 42,098
| style="text-align:right;"| 10,292
| style="text-align:right;"| 31,806
| style="text-align:right;"| 27.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 20.6
|-
| 1980
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,655
| style="text-align:right;"| 44,088
| style="text-align:right;"| 11,188
| style="text-align:right;"| 32,900
| style="text-align:right;"| 26.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 19.9
|-
| 1985
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,744
| style="text-align:right;"| 50,053
| style="text-align:right;"| 12,010
| style="text-align:right;"| 38,043
| style="text-align:right;"| 28.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 21.8
|-
| 1990
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,848
| style="text-align:right;"| 48,209
| style="text-align:right;"| 11,482
| style="text-align:right;"| 36,727
| style="text-align:right;"| 26.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 19.9
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 3.07
|-
| 1991
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,906
| style="text-align:right;"| 47,461
| style="text-align:right;"| 12,062
| style="text-align:right;"| 35,399
| style="text-align:right;"| 24.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.6
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.94
|-
| 1992
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,964
| style="text-align:right;"| 44,986
| style="text-align:right;"| 12,984
| style="text-align:right;"| 32,002
| style="text-align:right;"| 22.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 16.3
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.70
|-
| 1993
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,012
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,863
| style="text-align:right;"| 14,777
| style="text-align:right;"| 27,086
| style="text-align:right;"| 20.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 7.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.5
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.46
|-
| 1994
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,117
| style="text-align:right;"| 44,472
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,253
| style="text-align:right;"| 29,219
| style="text-align:right;"| 21.0
| style="text-align:right;"| 7.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.8
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.45
|-
| 1995
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,209
| style="text-align:right;"| 45,680
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,700
| style="text-align:right;"| 29,980
| style="text-align:right;"| 20.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 7.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.6
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.41
|-
| 1996
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,251
| style="text-align:right;"| 42,282
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,565
| style="text-align:right;"| 26,717
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 11.9
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.19
|-
| 1997
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,308
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,225
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,662
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,563
| style="text-align:right;"| 17.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 11.1
| style="text-align:right; color:blue;"| 2.10
|-
| 1998
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,363
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,164
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,793
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,371
| style="text-align:right;"| 17.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 10.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.05
|-
| 1999
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,417
| style="text-align:right;"| 38,281
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,020
| style="text-align:right;"| 22,261
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.87
|-
| 2000
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,464
| style="text-align:right;"| 38,229
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,108
| style="text-align:right;"| 22,121
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.0
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.82
|-
| 2001
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,511
| style="text-align:right;"| 38,480
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,293
| style="text-align:right;"| 23,187
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.79
|-
| 2002
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,563
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,204
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,887
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,317
| style="text-align:right;"| 16.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.85
|-
| 2003
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,609
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,490
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,929
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,561
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.81
|-
| 2004
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,647
| style="text-align:right;"| 41,573
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,724
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,849
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.76
|-
| 2005
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,684
| style="text-align:right;"| 40,814
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,585
| style="text-align:right;"| 25,229
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.69
|-
| 2006
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,721
| style="text-align:right;"| 40,646
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,939
| style="text-align:right;"| 24,707
| style="text-align:right;"| 14.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 9.1
| style="text-align:right; color:red;"| 1.64
|-
| 2007
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,761
| style="text-align:right;"| 45,470
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,357
| style="text-align:right;"| 30,113
| style="text-align:right;"| 16.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 10.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.81
|-
| 2008
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,804
| style="text-align:right;"| 49,465
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,794
| style="text-align:right;"| 33,671
| style="text-align:right;"| 17.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 12.0
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.94
|-
| 2009
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,850
| style="text-align:right;"| 50,416
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,737
| style="text-align:right;"| 33,679
| style="text-align:right;"| 17.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 11.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.92
|-
| 2010
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,896
| style="text-align:right;"| 52,057
| style="text-align:right;"| 17,013
| style="text-align:right;"| 35,044
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.0
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 12.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.92
|-
| 2011
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,914
| style="text-align:right;"| 54,646
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,872
| style="text-align:right;"| 37,774
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 12.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.98
|-
| 2012
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,931
| style="text-align:right;"| 56,186
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,642
| style="text-align:right;"| 39,544
| style="text-align:right;"| 19.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.03
|-
| 2013
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,955
| style="text-align:right;"| 55,641
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,258
| style="text-align:right;"| 39,383
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.02
|-
| 2014
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,982
| style="text-align:right;"| 56,888
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,491
| style="text-align:right;"| 40,397
| style="text-align:right;"| 19.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.08
|-
| 2015
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,003
| style="text-align:right;"| 54,867
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,188
| style="text-align:right;"| 38,679
| style="text-align:right;"| 18.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 12.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.02
|-
| 2016
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,029
| style="text-align:right;"| 52,867
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,719
| style="text-align:right;"| 37,148
| style="text-align:right;"| 17.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 12.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.98
|-
| 2017
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,041
| style="text-align:right;"| 50,174
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,473
| style="text-align:right;"| 34,701
| style="text-align:right;"| 16.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 11.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.91
|-
| 2018
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,077
| style="text-align:right;"| 48,120
| style="text-align:right;"| 14,871 
| style="text-align:right;"| 33,249
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 4.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 10.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.86
|-
| 2019
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,110
| style="text-align:right;"| 45,977
| style="text-align:right;"| 14,941
| style="text-align:right;"| 31,036
| style="text-align:right;"| 14.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 4.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 10.0
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.78
|-
| 2020
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,138
| style="text-align:right;"| 47,051
| style="text-align:right;"| 19,750
| style="text-align:right;"| 27,301
| style="text-align:right;"| 15.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 8.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.87
|-
| 2021
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,182
| style="text-align:right;"| 44,330
| style="text-align:right;"| 19,766
| style="text-align:right;"| 24,564
| style="text-align:right;"| 14.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 6.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 7.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.76
|-
| 2022
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,186
| style="text-align:right;"| 42,515
| style="text-align:right;"| 16,344
| style="text-align:right;"| 26,171
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 5.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 8.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.73
|-
| 2023
| style="text-align:right;"| 
| style="text-align:right;"| 42,075
| style="text-align:right;"| 14,605
| style="text-align:right;"| 27,470
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 4.5
| style="text-align:right;"| 8.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.75
|-
| 2024
| style="text-align:right;"| 
| style="text-align:right;"| 43,322
| style="text-align:right;"| 15,324
| style="text-align:right;"| 27,998
| style="text-align:right;"| 13.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 4.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 8.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.82
|}

===Ethnic groups===
The people of Dagestan include a large [[Peoples of the Caucasus|variety of ethnicities]]. According to the [[Russian Census (2021)|2021 Census]],<ref name=census2021>{{cite web |title=Национальный состав населения |url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Tom5_tab1_VPN-2020.xlsx |publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]] |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> Northeast Caucasians (including [[Avars (Caucasus)|Avars]], [[Dargins]], [[Lezgins]], [[Lak people (Dagestan)|Laks]], [[Tabasaran people|Tabasarans]], [[Rutul people|Rutulians]] and [[Chechens]]) make up almost 75% of the population of Dagestan. Turkic peoples, [[Kumyks]], [[Azerbaijanis in Russia|Azerbaijanis]], and [[Nogai people|Nogais]] make up 21%, and [[Russians]] 3.3%. Other ethnicities (e.g. [[Tat people (Caucasus)|Tats]], who are an [[Iranian peoples|Iranian people]]) each account for less than 0.4% of the total population.

Such groups as the [[Botlikh people|Botlikh]], the [[Andi people|Andi]], the [[Akhvakh people|Akhvakhs]], the [[Tsez people|Tsez]] and about ten other groups were reclassified as Avars between the 1926 and 1939 censuses.<ref>{{cite book |author=Wixman, Ronald |title=''The Peoples of the USSR: An Ethnographic Handbook'' |year=1984 |publisher=[[M. E. Sharpe]] |place=Armonk, New York |page=11}}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnic groups in Dagestan (2021)
|label1 = [[Avars (Caucasus)|Avars]]
|value1 = 30.5
|color1 = DarkGreen
|label2 = [[Dargins]]
|value2 = 16.6
|color2 = Green 
|label3 = [[Kumyks]]
|value3 = 15.8
|color3 = Orchid
|label4 = [[Lezgins]]
|value4 = 13.3
|color4 = Turquoise
|label5 = [[Laks (Caucasus)|Laks]]
|value5 = 5.2
|color5 = LightGreen
|label6 = [[Tabasarans]]
|value6 = 4.0
|color6 = LightBlue
|label7 = [[Azerbaijanis]]
|value7 = 3.7
|color7 = MediumOrchid
|label8 = [[Russians]]
|value8 = 3.3
|color8 = Red
|label9 = [[Chechens]]
|value9 = 3.2
|color9 = Yellow
|label10 = [[Rutul people|Rutulians]]
|value10 = 1.0
|color10 = Lime
|label11 = Others 
|value11 = 3.4
|color11 = White}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right;"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! rowspan="2" | Ethnic<br />group
! colspan="2" | 1926 Census
! colspan="2" | 1939 Census
! colspan="2" | 1959 Census
! colspan="2" | 1970 Census
! colspan="2" | 1979 Census
! colspan="2" | 1989 Census
! colspan="2" | 2002 Census
! colspan="2" | 2010 Census
! colspan="2" | 2021 Census<sup>1</sup>
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Avars (Caucasus)|<small>Avars</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| '''<small>[[Dargins]]</small>'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''<small>[[Kumyks]]</small>'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''[[Lezgian people|<small>Lezgins</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''[[Lak people (Dagestan)|<small>Laks</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''[[Tabasaran people|<small>Tabasarans</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| [[Azerbaijanis in Russia|'''<small>Azerbaijanis</small>''']]
| 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%
|-
|align="left"|'''<small>[[Russians]]</small>'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"|'''<small>[[Chechens]]</small>'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''<small>[[Nogais]]</small>'''
| 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%
|-
| style="text-align:left"| '''[[Aghul people|<small>Aghuls</small>]]'''
| 7,653
|1.0%
| rowspan="3"| 20,408
| rowspan="3"|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%
|-
|align="left"| '''[[Rutul people|<small>Rutuls</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
|align="left"| '''[[Tsakhur people|<small>Tsakhurs</small>]]'''
| 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%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 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%
|-
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="19"| <sup>1</sup> <small>47,805 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.</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perepis-2010.ru/news/detail.php?ID=6936 |script-title=ru:Перепись-2010: русских становится больше |publisher=Perepis-2010.ru |date=December 19, 2011 |language=ru |access-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225111852/http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/perepis_itogi1612.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

===Languages===
[[File:Northeast Caucasus languages map en.svg|thumb|210px|Main language areas]]
More than 30 local languages are commonly spoken, most belonging to the [[Northeast Caucasian languages|Nakh-Daghestanian]] language family. Russian became the principal [[lingua franca]] in Dagestan during the 20th century;<ref>{{cite book |last=Beliaev |first=Edward |title=Dagestan |year=2006 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish Benchmark |location=New York |isbn=0761420150 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dagestan0000beli/page/89 89] |url=https://archive.org/details/dagestan0000beli |url-access=registration |author2=Oksana Buranbaeva |access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> Over 20 of Russia's 131 [[endangered languages]] as identified by UNESCO can be found in Dagestan. Most of these endangered languages have speakers in the mountainous region on the Dagestan-Georgia border.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/languages-atlas/index.php |title=UNESCO Interactive Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger |last=Moseley |first=Christopher |publisher=UNESCO |date=2010 |website=United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref>

Prior to Soviet rule, the literary lingua-franca status to some extent belonged to [[Classical Arabic]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifHj0xaf7hMC&pg=PA63 |title=Exploring the Caucasus in the 21st Century: Essays on Culture, History and Politics in a Dynamic Context |author=Kemper, Michael |publisher=Pallas Publications |year=2011 |isbn=9789089641830 |editor1=Françoise Companjen |location=Amsterdam |pages=63–90 |chapter=An Island of Classical Arabic in the Caucasus: Dagestan |access-date=April 4, 2013 |editor2=László Károly Marácz |editor3=Lia Versteegh}}</ref> The northern [[Avar language|Avar]] dialect of [[Khunzakh]] has also served as a lingua franca in mountainous Dagestan where Avar-related peoples lived.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/languagesofsovie0000comr |url-access=registration |quote=Khunzakh. |title=The Languages of the Soviet Union |last=Comrie |first=Bernard |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1981 |isbn=0521232309 |location=Cambridge, UK |page=[https://archive.org/details/languagesofsovie0000comr/page/199 199] |author-link=Bernard Comrie |access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> And throughout centuries the [[Kumyk language]] had been [[Lingua franca|the lingua-franca]] for the bigger part of the Northern Caucasus, from Dagestan to [[Kabarda]], until the 1930s.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n9p4rl09ec0C&pg=PA74 |title=Studies in language companion series. From linguistic areas to areal linguistics |author=Pieter Muysken. |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company |year=2008 |isbn=9789027231000 |volume=90 |pages=74}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Gjennem Kaukasus til Volga (Oslo: Jacob Dybwads Forlag, 1929) |author=Nansen}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Н.С.Трубецкой |year=1925 |title=О народах Кавказа |edition=статья}}</ref> Kumyk also had been an official language for communication of the Russian Imperial administration with the local peoples.<ref>Ярцева В.Н. и др. (ред.) Языки Российской Федерации и соседних государств. Том 2. К-Р, стр. 183</ref>

The first Russian grammar written about a language from present-day Dagestan was for Kumyk.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://caucasian.space/qum/adabiyat_qumuq_posts/2016-12-28-qumuq-grammar-makarov.html |title=Kafkaz Lehçeni Tatar Grammatikası, Makarov 1848 |website=caucasian.space |language=kum, ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011252/http://caucasian.space/qum/adabiyat_qumuq_posts/2016-12-28-qumuq-grammar-makarov.html |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref> Author Timofey Makarov wrote:

{{Blockquote|text=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.|sign=|source=}}

===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Dagestan (2012)<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas">[http://sreda.org/en/arena "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia"]. Sreda, 2012.</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 83
|color1 = Green
|label2 = [[Russian Orthodox Church]]
|value2 = 2.4
|color2 = MediumOrchid
|label3 = [[Nondenominational Christianity]]
|value3 = 1
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|label4 = [[Folk religion]]
|value4 = 2
|color4 = Red
|label5 = [[Spiritual but not religious]]
|value5 = 9
|color5 = White
|label6 = [[Atheism|Atheist]]
|value6 = 2
|color6 = DarkGrey
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 0.6
|color7 = Black
}}
According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people,<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas" /> 83% of the population of Dagestan adheres to [[Islam]], 2.4% to the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], 2% to Caucasian folk religion and other native faiths, 1% are [[nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] [[Christians]]. In addition, 9% of the population identify as "[[spiritual but not religious]]", 2% as [[atheism|atheist]], and 0.6% as other and no answer.<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas"/>

==== Islam ====
{{main|Islam in Russia}}
Dagestanis adherents of Islam are largely [[Sunni]] Muslims of the [[Shafii]] school. On the Caspian coast, particularly in and around the port city of [[Derbent]], the population (primarily made up of [[Azerbaijanis]]) is [[Shia]]. A [[Salafi]] minority is also present, which is sometimes a target of official repression.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2016/05/07/salafis-mustered |title=Salafis mustered |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref>

The appearance of [[Sufi]] [[mysticism]] in Dagestan dates back to the 14th century. The two [[tariqa|Sufi orders]] that are widely spread in the [[North Caucasus]] were the [[Naqshbandiya]] and the [[Qadiriya]]. The mystic [[tariqa]]s preached tolerance and coexistence between the diverse people in the region. The Communist total intolerance for any religion after the [[October Revolution|Communist Revolution of 1917]] also suppressed the Sufi movements. [[Shaykh Said Afandi al-Chirkawi]] was a prominent scholar, spiritual leader, and [[murshid]] (guide) of Naqshbandi and [[Shadhili]] [[tariqah]]s in Dagestan until his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islamdag.info/node/239 |title=Biography of Shaykh Said Afandi al-Chirkawi |publisher=Islamdag.info |date=July 22, 2011 |access-date=May 4, 2012}}</ref>

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, there has been an [[Islamic revival]] in the region. By 1996, Dagestan had 1,670 registered mosques, nine Islamic universities, 25 [[madrassas]], 670 [[Maktab (education)|maktab]], 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 the [[Hajj]] more than half were from Dagestan.<ref>[[Robert Bruce Ware]] & Enver Kisriev, ''Dagestan: Russian Hegemony and Islamic Resistance in the North Caucasus'', M. E. Sharpe, 2010, p. 90</ref>

==== Judaism ====
{{main|Judaism in Dagestan}}
A relatively large number of native [[Tat language (Caucasus)|Tati]]-speaking [[Jews]] – the "[[Mountain Jews]]" – were{{when|date=August 2018}} also present in these same coastal areas. However, since 1991 and the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], many have migrated to Israel and the United States. These{{Specify|date=September 2023}} were an extension of much larger [[Azerbaijani Jew]]ish community across the border in the Azerbaijani districts of [[Quba]] and [[Shamakhi]].<ref>[http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Mountain-Jews-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html Mountain Jews] at ''World Culture Encyclopedia''</ref>

==== Christianity ====
{{further|Christianity in Dagestan}}
The number of [[Christians]] among the non-Slavic indigenous population is very low, with estimates between 2,000 and 2,500. Most of these are [[Pentecostal]] Christians from the [[Laks (Caucasus)|Lak]] ethnicity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sclj.org/news/10-0729-PastorSuleymanov.htm |title=Slavic Center for Law & Justice |publisher=SCLJ |access-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117143452/http://www.sclj.org/news/10-0729-PastorSuleymanov.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=On Christianity in Dagestan |author=Magomed Gasanov |journal=[[Iran & the Caucasus]] |volume=5 |date=2001 |pages=79–84 |doi=10.1163/157338401X00080 |jstor=4030847}}</ref> The largest congregation is Osanna Evangelical Christian Church (Pentecostal) in [[Makhachkala]], with more than 1,000 members.<ref>[http://www.sclj.ru/news/detail.php?ID=2956] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811005341/http://www.sclj.ru/news/detail.php?ID=2956|date=August 11, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Cathedral of the Assumption of Makhachkala|Cathedral of the Assumption]] is an [[Eastern Orthodox church architecture|Eastern Orthodox]] [[cathedral]] located in the city of [[Makhachkala]], the main cathedral of the [[Diocese of Makhachkala]].
* [[Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir of Makhachkala|Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir]] is a Russian Orthodox [[cathedral]] of the [[Diocese of Makhachkala]], located in the city of [[Makhachkala]].

{{clear}}

{|class="graytable" style="text-align:center"
 |+
 |width="20%"|[[File:Makhachkala mosque 5.jpg|center|200px]]
 |width="20%"|[[File:Церковь Святого Знамения Божьей Матери г. Хасавюрт.JPG|center|200px]]
 |width="20%"|[[File:Церковь Святого Всеспасителя (Дербент).jpg|center|200px]]
 |width="20%"|[[File:Келе-Нумаз.jpg|center|200px]]
 |width="20%"|[[File:Внутри дербентской Джума-мечети.jpg|center|200px]]
 |-
 |Makhachkala Grand Mosque
 |[[Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign (Khasavyurt)|Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign]] in [[Khasavyurt]]
 |[[Church of the Holy All-Savior of Derbent]]
 |[[Derbent Synagogue]]
 |The [[Juma Mosque of Derbent]] (built in 733)<br>is the oldest in Russia and<br>one of the oldest in the world.
 |}

=== Genetics ===
In 2006, a genetic study of the Dagestan populations, published in [[Human Biology (journal)|Human Biology]], suggested that inhabitants of Dagestan are closely related to [[Anatolian Turks]] and [[Cypriot Turks]]. Yunusbayev et al. pointed out that these findings support the theory that indigenous groups of Dagestan can trace their roots back to ancient [[Neolithic Revolution#Europe|Anatolian farming tribes]] who introduced early agricultural traditions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yunusbayev |first1=Bayazit |last2=Kutuev |first2=Ildus |last3=Khusainova |first3=Rita |last4=Guseinov |first4=Gadzhi |last5=Khusnutdinova |first5=Elza |date=August 2006 |title=Genetic structure of Dagestan populations: a study of 11 Alu insertion polymorphisms |journal=Human Biology |volume=78 |issue=4 |pages=465–476 |doi=10.1353/hub.2006.0059 |issn=0018-7143 |pmid=17278621}}</ref>

===Notable people===
*List of [[Notable people from Dagestan]]

==Economy==
The major industries in Dagestan include [[oil production]], [[engineering]], [[chemical industry|chemicals]], [[machine building]], [[textile manufacturing]], [[food processing]] and [[timber industry|timber]]. [[Oil deposits]] are located in the narrow coastal region. Dagestan's natural gas production goes mostly to satisfy local needs. [[Agriculture]] is varied and includes grain-farming, [[viticulture]] and [[wine-making]], sheep-farming, and [[dairying]]. The engineering and [[metalworking]] industries 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 the [[Sulak River]] providing [[hydroelectric power]]. It has been estimated that Dagestan's total potential hydroelectric power resources are 4.4&nbsp;billion kW. Dagestan has a well-developed transportation system. [[Railway]]s connect the capital [[Makhachkala]] to Moscow, [[Astrakhan]], and the Azerbaijani capital, [[Baku]]. The Moscow-Baku [[Russian highway|highway]] also [[Caucasus Highway|passes through Dagestan]], and there are air links with major cities.<ref name=msn>[http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781534116/Dagestan.html Dagestan] Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090926020213/http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781534116/Dagestan.html Archived] October 31, 2009.</ref><ref name=kommersant>[http://www.kommersant.com/p-94/r_438/Dagestan_Republic/ Dagestan Republic] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906042842/http://www.kommersant.com/p-94/r_438/Dagestan_Republic/ |date=September 6, 2009 }} Kommersant March 10, 2004</ref>

Conditions for economic development are favorable in Dagestan, but – {{As of|2006|lc=y}} – 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 its [[underground economy]] and the subsidies coming from the central Russian government.<ref name=kommersant/><ref name=jamestown>[http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=3382 Dagestan's Economic Crisis: Past, Present and Future] North Caucasus Weekly December 31, 2006</ref> Corruption in Dagestan is more severe than in other regions of the former [[Soviet Union]] and is coupled with a flourishing black market and clan-based economic system.<ref name=crisisgroup>[http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/north-caucasus/192-russias-dagestan-conflict-causes.aspx Russia's Dagestan: Conflict Causes] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328112527/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/north-caucasus/192-russias-dagestan-conflict-causes.aspx |date=March 28, 2014 }}. [[International Crisis Group]] Europe Report N°192. June 3, 2008. Access date: April 7, 2014.</ref>

In 2011 [[Rostelecom]] started the implementation of [[Wavelength-division multiplexing|WDM]]-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&nbsp;Gbit/s. Rostelecom invested about 48 million rubles in the project.<ref>Broadband Russia Newslatter</ref>

== 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 poet [[Rasul Gamzatov]] (1923–2003). Among his poems was Zhuravli, which became a well-known Russian song.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Makhachkala {{!}} Russia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Makhachkala |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref>

=== 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, wrote ''Khochbar,'' the first Dagestani opera, in 1945. Dagestani folk dances include a fast-paced dance called the ''[[lezginka]]''. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lezginka {{!}} dance |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/lezginka |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
''Khingal-bat'' is 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Подготовка и защита диссертации Казимагомедовой Айшат Абдулгапуровны |url=http://www.naukadgpu.ru/index.php/zashita-dissertaciy/d-212-051-01/208-2016-god/1580-podgotovka-i-zashchita-dissertatsii-kazimagomedovoj-ajshat-abdulgapurovny |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=www.naukadgpu.ru |archive-date=March 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051334/http://www.naukadgpu.ru/index.php/zashita-dissertaciy/d-212-051-01/208-2016-god/1580-podgotovka-i-zashchita-dissertatsii-kazimagomedovoj-ajshat-abdulgapurovny |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Martial arts ===
{{Main|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 born [[Khabib Nurmagomedov]] was a UFC lightweight champion who retired undefeated.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Wrestling Culture That Helps Keep Boys Away From Fighting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/18/world/europe/russia-dagestan-wrestling.html |access-date=November 4, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 18, 2018 |last1=Ponomarev |first1=Text by Sergey}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Dagestan is raising the next generation of MMA champions in the wrestling room |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/4/3/21206172/how-dagestan-is-raising-the-next-generation-of-mma-champions-in-the-wrestling-room |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=www.mmafighting.com |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> His training partner, [[Islam Makhachev]], who is also Dagestani, is the former lightweight champion and current welterweight champion, and currently the #1 ranked UFC pound-for-pound fighter. Khabib's cousin, [[Umar Nurmagomedov]], is ranked #1 in the UFC's bantamweight division. Umar's younger brother, [[Usman Nurmagomedov]], is the former [[Bellator MMA|Bellator]] lightweight champion and currently fights in the [[Professional Fighters League|PFL]]. [[Magomed Ankalaev]], who also hails from Dagestan, is the former UFC light heavyweight champion. [[Abubakar Nurmagomedov]] is 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. [[Buvaisar Saitiev]] was a three-time Olympic champion, and [[Abdulrashid Sadulaev]] won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2021 Tokyo Olympics; they are both from Dagestan. [[Magomed Ramazanov]], who also hails from Dagestan and is known for his resemblance to Khabib Nurmagomedov, won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In boxing, [[Artur Beterbiev]] is a one-time World Cup gold medalist, a two-time Olympian, and held the undisputed light-heavyweight championship between October 2024 and February 2025.

As well, many Dagestanis have collected accolades for other nations, [[Akhmed Tazhudinov]] represents Bahrain and won gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics, [[Nassourdine Imavov]] represents France and is the #1 ranked middleweight contender in the UFC; both were born in Dagestan.

==See also==
{{Portal|Russia|Europe}}
* [[Former countries in Europe after 1815]]
* [[Insurgency in the North Caucasus]]
* [[Islamic Djamaat of Dagestan]]
* [[List of clashes in the North Caucasus]]
* [[Shariat Jamaat]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited references ==
* {{Cite book |editor1=В. М. Солнцев |display-editors=etal |script-title=ru:Письменные языки мира: Российская Федерация. Социолингвистическая энциклопедия. |year=2000 |publisher=Российская Академия Наук. Институт языкознания. |location=Москва |language=ru |id=проект №99-04-16158}}
* {{Cite Russian law|ru_date=10 июля 2003 г.|ru_title=Конституция Республики Дагестан|ru_amendment_type=Закона|ru_amendment_date=7 октября 2008 г|ru_amendment_number=45|en_date=July 10, 2003|en_title=Constitution of the Republic of Dagestan|en_amendment_type=Law|en_amendment_date=October 7, 2008|en_amendment_number=45}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108011236/http://dagistanhistory.livejournal.com/26158.html Catholic Haidak in the Holy Roman Empire] {{In lang|ru}}
* [[Kaziev Shapi|Kaziev, Shapi]]. [http://www.kaziev.ru/index/imam_shamil/0-44 Imam Shamil. "Molodaya Gvardiya" publishers. Moscow, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010]
* [[Kaziev Shapi|Kaziev, Shapi]]. [[Siege of Akhoulgo|Akhoulgo]]. [[Caucasian War]] in the 19th century. [http://www.kaziev.ru/index/ahulgo/0-42 The historical novel. ''Epoch'', Publishing house: Makhachkala, 2008]. {{ISBN|978-5-98390-047-9}}
* [[Kaziev Shapi|Kaziev, Shapi]]. [[North Caucasus|Caucasian Highland]]ers. [http://www.kaziev.ru/index/highlanders/0-50 Everyday life of the Caucasian highlanders. 19th century (In the co-authorship with I.Karpeev). "Molodaya Gvardiy" publishers. Moscow, 2003.] {{ISBN|5-235-02585-7}}
* [[Kaziev Shapi|Kaziev, Shapi]]. ''Crash of tyrant''. [[Nader Shah]] (Крах тирана). [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108011237/http://www.kaziev.ru/index/krasch/0-65 The historical novel about Nader Shah. ''Epoch'', Publishing house: Makhachkala, 2009]. {{ISBN|978-5-98390-066-0}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Daghestan | volume= 7 |last1= Kropotkin |first1= Peter Alexeivitch |author1-link= Peter Kropotkin| last2= Bealby |first2= John Thomas| pages = 729&ndash;730 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dagestan}}
{{wikivoyage|Dagestan}}
* {{Official website|name=Official governmental website of Dagestan}} {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512012439/http://www.e-dag.ru/ |date=May 12, 2011 }} {{in lang|ru}}
* {{cite web |title=Dagestan (Daghestan): Comprehensive Report |author=Egbert Wesselink |year=1998 |publisher=Caspian.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011005095406/http://www.caspian.net/daginfo.html |archive-date=October 5, 2001 |url=http://www.caspian.net/daginfo.html |access-date=January 15, 2012}}
* [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/dagestan Dagestan in Iranica Encyclopaedia]
* [http://www.islamdag.info/story/348 History of Islam in Russia]
* [http://www.isn.ethz.ch/pubs/ph/details.cfm?lng=en&id=31618 "The North Caucasus," Russian Analytical Digest No. 22 (5 June 2007)]
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3659904.stm BBC Country Report on Dagestan]
* [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/dagestan.html University of Texas maps of the Dagestan region]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171011195858/http://www2.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/dstanpannier1905.html Radio Free Europe discusses religious tension in Dagestan]
* [http://www.isn.ch/pubs/ph/details.cfm?id=22365 ISN Case Study: The North Caucasus on the Brink (August 2006)] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417112912/http://www.isn.ch/pubs/ph/details.cfm?id=22365 |date=April 17, 2021 }}
* [http://www.kaukaz.net/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/english/dagestan Articles on Dagestan, reports from research, photos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101126094852/http://rd.dgu.ru/ Dagestan in Pictures] {{in lang|ru}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090107011048/http://www.kunstpedia.com/articles/73/1/Daghestans-Kaitag-Embroideries---and-Henri-Matisse/Page1.html Daghestan's Kaitag Embroideries – and Henri Matisse?]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110512173004/http://skforussia.ru/dagestan.php Dagestan Republic News Portal] {{in lang|ru}}

{{Subdivisions of Russia}}
{{Dagestan}}
{{Countries and regions of the Caucasus}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dagestan, Republic of}}
[[Category:Dagestan| ]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Persian is an official language]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Avar is an official language]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Azerbaijani is an official language]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Chechen is an official language]]
[[Category:North Caucasian Federal District]]
[[Category:North Caucasus]]
[[Category:Regions of Europe with multiple official languages]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1921]]
[[Category:Republics of Russia]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Russian is an official language]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Rutulian is an official language]]