Southern and North Caucasian federal districts. Russia

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The Caucasus is the name with which, first of all, mountains are associated. The Caucasus is a large area located in the south of Russia, bordering on Abkhazia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and South Ossetia. Russian poets and prose writers wrote about this beautiful land, for them it is something sublime, floating in the clouds, bringing joy or deep sadness. In reality, the Caucasus is a geographical area that includes various republics with different nations with their own cultures and religious characteristics. The capital of the Caucasus is different for each republic. But they do not have a single city. In the article we will consider the republics of the North Caucasus and their capitals. And also their features are indicated.

Republics of the Caucasus and their capitals

The North Caucasus consists of 2 territories and 7 republics. In one of them is the so-called "capital of the Caucasus":

is Krasnodar. This region of Russia is a popular holiday destination. In the Krasnodar Territory, 3 well-known Russian resorts are concentrated at once - and Anapa, as well as many others.
Stavropol region. with its capital in Stavropol, is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus and is especially famous for its resort where thousands of tourists go every year to improve their health and just relax.
Maykop city. This forested area is not particularly popular with tourists, but hunters and people who prefer outdoor activities, rock paths and campgrounds love to come here.
The capital of Chechnya is the city of Grozny. Most Russians associate the republic with wars and violent Caucasians. The tourist flow to Chechnya is very small, if they go, then most of them are with excursion groups and guides. Tour operators offer tours to mountainous areas, historical sites and Grozny itself, as it has architectural monuments.

Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The capital is Nalchik. The main part of the territory of the republic is occupied by mountains. On the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria there is the highest mountain in Russia - Elbrus (5642 m). It is here that people annually come to test themselves for endurance, conquering the peak.
Republic of Ingushetia. The city of Magas has the status of the capital in this republic. Half flat, half mountainous territory with a huge number of cultural features and architectural monuments. The republic has its own nature reserves and a sanctuary where bison, roe deer, chamois and other animals that are under the protection of the Red Book are bred.
- a city with the historical name Cherkessk. The main part of the territory occupied by Karachay-Cherkessia is a mountainous area. Inexperienced tourists also come here to crawl through the mountains, get some fresh air and go skiing in the winter. Nature, untouched by man, will always attract ecotourists.
The Republic of Dagestan. The capital is in Makhachkala. A very small number of Russians live here, mainly southern nationalities can be found. There are a large number of reserves and reserves on the territory, since the fauna of these places is inhabited by a large number of rare animals.

Republic of North Ossetia (Alania). The capital is Vladikavkaz. Perhaps the most famous city, which is directly associated with the Caucasus. The main territory is plains, less than half is occupied by mountains and hills. The tourist flow here is slightly larger than in some other republics, but it is also visited by people who like nature, mountains and immersion in the national culture. Vladikavkaz is often given the name "capital of the Caucasus".

Nationalities and religion

The main population of the North Caucasus is local nationalities (Ossetians, Kumyks, Armenians, etc.). They are often feared, but if you respect their culture, then they are quite hospitable and sympathetic people. The "capital of the Caucasus" and the krais (Krasnodar and Stavropol) have a mostly Christian population, in the republics Islam is more often preached as the main religion.

Culture of the Caucasus

Each nationality has its own cultural characteristics, expressed in dances, architecture, communication with people, nature, etc. The names of the republics of the North Caucasus and their capitals reflect the national culture.

Transcaucasia

Transcaucasia or the South Caucasus, which includes Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, is often attached to the North Caucasus. For Russian citizens, entry into these countries is carried out in a visa-free regime if the trip does not exceed 90 days (except for Georgia, where the visa-free regime is valid only for citizens living in the North Caucasus).

Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory, Rostov Region and the Republics: Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia (Alania), Ingushetia, Dagestan and the Chechen Republic.

Economic and geographical position

The North Caucasus region or the North Caucasus is located in the European part of Russia on the isthmus between the Black Sea-Azov and Caspian sea basins. It occupies the south of the East European Plain, Ciscaucasia and the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. The border with Azerbaijan and Georgia runs almost everywhere along the Main Caucasian Range. Area - 378 thousand km 2. EGP - profitable. Through this region, Russia maintains ties with the states of Transcaucasia. There is access to three seas. The natural conditions of the region are favorable for the population and the development of agriculture. The Kuma-Manych depression is the physical-geographical boundary between Europe and Asia. (Some geographers make a division between these parts of the world along the Main Caucasian Range - along the state border of the Russian Federation).

Natural conditions and resources

The natural landscapes of the North Caucasus are diverse. Here are mountain ranges and steppe plains, turbulent mountain rivers and drying rivers and lakes, humid subtropics (the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus) and cold snowy peaks. The variety of natural conditions is explained by the geographical position and features of the relief. This, in turn, affects the resettlement of people and their economic activities. The region has fertile lands (on the plains) and natural pastures (in the foothills).

The region's role as a recreational zone in Russia is great - there are well-known resorts on the Black Sea coast (Tuapse, Sochi) and Caucasian Mineralnye Vody (Kislovodsk, Essentuki, Mineralnye Vody). The Caucasus Mountains are also an object of tourism. The highest point in Russia is Mount Elbrus (5642 m).

The foothills of the Greater Caucasus are a pantry of chemical, metallurgical, building raw materials, energy resources (including fuel). Natural gas - in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, oil - in the Chechen Republic and Adygea. Non-ferrous metal ores - in the mountainous republics (North Ossetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria), coal - in the Rostov region (eastern wing of Donbass - the Russian part).

Mountain rivers have great hydropower potential, and the waters of lowland rivers are used for irrigation. The main disadvantage of natural conditions is the uneven supply of water resources. The western part is better provided with moisture, especially the Black Sea coast and mountain slopes. The north-east and east of the region are waterless and arid.

Population

The population of the region is 17.2 million people. Population density - 47 people per 1 km 2 (maximum - in North Ossetia - 79 people).

A feature of the population of the North Caucasus is multinationality. The national composition of the mountain population is especially motley. It belongs to different language families "Indo-European (Russians, Ossetians, Ukrainians), Caucasian (Adyghes, Kabardians, Circassians, Chechens, Ingush and more than 20 peoples of Dagestan). In the North Caucasian economic region, the Russian population prevails, even in the mountainous republics of the Caucasus, the share Russians among the population varies from 9% in Dagestan to 65% in Adygea.

The population of the republics (1992) included in the North Caucasus region (in thousand people): Adygea - 432; Dagestan - 1890; Chechen Republic and Ingushetia - 1308; Kabardino-Balkaria - 784; North Ossetia - 695; Karachay-Cherkessia - 418.

The population density is relatively high, but within the region it is uneven. Many cities and villages are located on the strip of sea coasts. A rare population in the steppes and semi-deserts in the east of the region and in the highlands. Rural residents are slightly less than half of the population of the district (urban residents 53%). In Dagestan and the Chechen Republic, the rural population prevails (about 60%).

The area has a surplus of labor resources

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FEDERAL RAILWAY TRANSPORT AGENCY

MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY OF TRANSPORTATION

POVOLZHSK BRANCH OF MIIT

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

CHAIR OF ECONOMIC THEORY AND MANAGEMENT

COURSE WORK

ON ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT

Completed:

3rd year student 1130-c/EKb-3639

Kislova E.V.

Checked:

Art. pr. Dagaeva I.A.

SARATOV 2014

3.1 Industry

3.2 Agriculture

3.3 Recreational complex

3.4 Transport characteristics of the region

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

Composition of the North Caucasian economic region: Rostov Region, Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory; Republics: Adygea, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkarian, Karachay-Cherkess, North Ossetia (Alania) and Chechen (Ichkeria). Occupying only 2% of the country's area, which is home to 12% of the population, the North Caucasus Economic Region (NERC) produces 4.6% of the industrial output of the Russian Federation. In the all-Russian territorial division of labor, he specializes in large-scale production of products from various sectors of the agro-industrial complex, as well as in the extraction of coal, oil, natural gas, the smelting of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, and the development of energy, transport and agricultural engineering. The North Caucasus is an area of highly developed agriculture. Its share in Russia's gross agricultural output is 11.6%. This is the main granary of the country, a major producer of grain, industrial and fodder crops, southern fruits and vegetables, tobacco, tea, and various livestock products. The region accounts for more than 1/3 of the all-Russian production of granulated sugar, 1/7 of meat, more than 1/10 of animal and 1/2 of vegetable oil, 1/3 of canned fruits and vegetables. At the same time, the North Caucasus plays the role of the main recreational economy of Russia, where several million people annually rest in the resort area. The regional economic complex of the North Caucasus is developing under the influence of natural, economic, national, social and political factors that determine the local features of the territorial structure and the location of its productive forces.

The relevance of the chosen topic is explained by the fact that the North Caucasian economic region is a very important region for the Russian Federation both in terms of production and even in strategic terms, because this region has access to three seas and is the most southern one. It allows for trade exchange and is a kind of "breadbasket" of Russia. However, the area is not in the best condition: the crises of the 90s and the recent crisis of 2008-2009 made themselves felt.

The purpose of this work is to study the characteristics of the region, its condition, problems and prospects for its development.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve a number of tasks:

Give a general description of the economic and geographical position of the region;

Explore natural and climatic conditions;

Track the development trend of the population and labor resources;

Identify the main problems and prospects of the region;

The object of study is the North Caucasus region.

In this paper, various theoretical material is presented and various statistical data are processed, as a result of which it is possible to give a modern economic and geographical description.

The work consists of an introduction, four chapters, indicating the most important points in the characteristics of the North Caucasian economic region, a conclusion and a list of references.

CHAPTER 1. FEATURES OF THE NORTH CAUCASIAN REGION

1.1 Area, composition, features of the economic and geographical position of the economic region

The area of the North Caucasian economic region is 355 thousand km² (about 2% of the country's area). This figure is much smaller than the area of such large regions as the Far East or East Siberian, but is commensurate with the areas of most economic regions of the European part of Russia.

The population of this economic region as of January 1, 2011 is 19,014 thousand people, i.e. exceeds the population of the same East Siberian ER by more than 2 times. Thus, we can talk about a fairly high population density indicator (about 53.6 people per 1 km), which is closer than all economic regions in its value to the most densely populated Central Economic Region and ranks 3rd among all regions.

The North Caucasian economic region includes 10 subjects of the Federation. Among them

7 republics:

Adygea (443 thousand people)

Dagestan (2712 thousand people)

Ingushetia (508 thousand people)

Kabardino-Balkaria (892 thousand people)

Karachay-Cherkessia (427 thousand people)

North Ossetia - Alania (702 thousand people)

Chechnya (1239 thousand people)

Krasnodar (5142 thousand people)

Stavropol (2707 thousand people)

and Rostov region (4242 thousand people)

Number of cities in the economic region: 107, number of urban-type settlements: 63, number of rural areas: 201, number of rural administrations: 2354, number of rural settlements: 7385.

The region is located at the crossroads from the northern, central and eastern regions of Russia to the republics of Transcaucasia, borders on the diversified Donetsk-Pridneprovsky (Ukraine), Volga and Central Black Earth regions, has access to the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas. The seas are highly accessible for maritime navigation, which allows the region to carry out active foreign economic activity with other regions and states.

Based on this, we can conclude about the favorable economic and geographical position of the North Caucasian economic region.

1.2 Natural and climatic conditions and natural resources

The climate of the North Caucasian economic region is quite diverse. The diversity of natural conditions is explained by the geographical location and features of the relief, which, in turn, affects the resettlement of people and their economic activities. The highest point in Russia, Elbrus, is located in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. According to natural conditions, the region is divided into three zones: flat, foothill and mountainous. Plain (steppe) occupies most of the territory and extends from the Don River to the valleys of the Kuban and Terek rivers. The foothill zone is located to the south and stretches in a small strip from the northwest to the southeast. The foothills gradually pass into the system of mountain spurs of the Caucasus (mountainous part).

The area is washed by the waters of three seas: the Caspian, Azov and Black. Mountain rivers have great hydropower potential, and the waters of lowland rivers are used for irrigation. However, the main drawback of natural conditions is the uneven supply of water resources. The western part is better provided with moisture, especially the Black Sea coast (for example, the average annual precipitation in Sochi is 1410 mm) and the slopes of the mountains. The north-east and east of the region are waterless and arid.

The flat and foothill parts, occupying 4–5 territories, are characterized by a temperate continental climate with hot summers and unstable mild winters. The average July temperature ranges from +20°С to +24°С. The growing season with temperatures above 10°C lasts here for 170-190 days, and the annual amount of solar radiation in the steppe and foothill zones is 1.5 times greater than in the Moscow region. Average January temperatures range from +2°С in Sochi and Novorossiysk to -9°С, -12°С in the steppes of the Rostov region.

Vegetation in most of the territory of the North Caucasus is typical for the steppe zone, and the Caspian region is occupied by semi-deserts. In the foothills of the Caucasus, the steppes with their grassy cover and stunted shrubs are gradually replaced by a strip of broad-leaved forests, then coniferous, and even higher - alpine meadows adjacent to the zone of snow and glaciers covering the high mountain ranges.

In terms of the size of arable land, the district accounts for 15% of the entire arable land of the Russian Federation (the district is inferior in the European part only to the Volga and Ural economic regions).

In general, natural conditions are very favorable for the population and agriculture.

The North Caucasian economic region has significant soil resources. The soils of the region are highly fertile: chernozems (47%) and alluvial soils (6%) occupy almost half of the region. The east of the region is characterized by brown soils with the inclusion of large massifs of solonetzes and solonchaks, on the mountain slopes - mountain-forest and mountain-meadow soils. Carbonate chernozems occupy a significant part of the Rostov region, the Krasnodar Territory, the western part of the Stavropol plateau and the foothills of the Central Caucasus. Dark chestnut soils - in the east of the Rostov region, in the extreme north of the Stavropol Territory, on the Terek-Kuma Plain and on the right bank of the Terek. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, many steppe territories were subjected to significant erosion processes: soil compaction, desertification, and erosion.

About 2.5 million hectares in the region are covered by forests. Deciduous species predominate: beech, hornbeam, birch, maple, aspen. The main forest areas are located in the upper reaches of the rivers of the Kuban and Terek basins, on the slopes of the mountains facing the Black Sea. Only about 30% of forests are located in relatively favorable conditions for their economic use. The highest forest cover (over 20%) is typical for the republics of Adygea, Chechnya, Karachay-Cherkessia and the Krasnodar Territory. But in general, in comparison with other regions of Russia, the North Caucasian economic region is poorly provided with forest resources.

Water resources occupy a special place in the economic life of the region. The territory is washed by three seas. The river network of the region also belongs to the basins of these seas. The most significant are the basins of the Azov (the rivers Don, Kuban, Mius, Kagalnik, Eya, Chelbas, Belsug, etc.) and the Caspian (Terek, Kuma, Sulak, Samur, Kalaus, etc.) seas. There are especially many small rivers in the republics. Most of the rivers originate in the glaciers of the highland zone. There are large reserves of groundwater (total operational reserves of 906.5 thousand m3 per day), mineral and geothermal waters (Kislovodsk, Yessentuki, Zheleznovodsk, Makhachkala, etc.), therapeutic mud (the coasts of the Azov and Caspian Seas). Significant reserves of fresh water are concentrated in glacial systems. In the economic region, water resources are used very actively, they are also located unevenly, there are large losses in irrigation systems, therefore, in some areas there is a shortage of water.

1.3 Main types of minerals

Due to the diverse and rather complex geological structure, the territory of the economic region is exceptionally rich in minerals. First of all, significant reserves of oil and natural gas are located here. The fields of Chechnya and Dagestan, the Maikop and others are especially rich in oil, and the Severo-Stavropol, Anastasievsko-Troitskoye, Kanevskoye, Yeyskoye, Sengileevskoye and other deposits are especially rich in natural gas. The Chechen Republic is one of the oldest areas of oil production (has been carried out since the end of the 18th century). Grozny oil is characterized by high quality (18.5% gasoline, 19.2% kerosene, 9% legroin, 53% fuel oil). The Dagestan fields are a continuation of the Baku oil-bearing region, and the oil in them is also of high quality. A strip of oil fields stretches along the northern slope of the Caucasus from Taman to the borders with the Stavropol Territory.

Coal reserves are estimated at 44 billion tons, concentrated mainly in the Rostov region, in the eastern part of Donbass. There are also coals in Karachay-Cherkessia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, in the Krasnodar Territory, but these reserves are not large and are of local importance. Coals belong to energy and coking grades. But the most valuable are anthracites, which occur at a depth of about 600 m in the area of the city of Shakhty.

The North Caucasian economic region has significant reserves of non-ferrous and rare metal ores. There are valuable deposits of tungsten-molybdenum ores - Tyrnyauz (Kabardino-Balkaria) and Ktiteberda (Karachay-Cherkessia). The Sadonskoye (North Ossetia-Alania) deposit of lead-zinc ores is of all-Russian importance. The Sadonsky ore-bearing region includes over 10 explored deposits with reserves of industrial categories. There are reserves of copper ores in Karachay-Cherkessia (Urupskoye deposit) and in Dagestan (Khudesskoye and Kizil-Dere). Krasnodar Territory and North Ossetia-Alania have large reserves of mercury. The subsoil of Dagestan is promising for mercury. It is planned to develop gold and bismuth in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Of non-metallic minerals, rock salts (Krasnodar Territory), barite, magnesia-phosphate ores (Adygea), phosphorites (Rostov Region), gypsum (Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov Region, Chechnya, Dagestan) can be noted. Russia's largest deposits of dolomites are located in North Ossetia (about 10% of Russian reserves), which are used in the metallurgical and chemical industries, in glass production as a refractory material.

The North Caucasian economic region is one of the richest building materials in terms of resources. Cement raw materials - in the Novorossiysk region, marble - in the Teberda region. Marls stretch in an almost continuous strip from Verkhne-Bakanskaya through Gaiduk, Novorossiysk and further almost to Sochi.

CHAPTER 2. POPULATION OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS REGION

2.1 Population dynamics and labor force

Caucasian region population economic

As already noted, in terms of population, the North Caucasian economic region ranks third in the Russian Federation. Within the district, the leader in terms of population is the Krasnodar Territory. Among the regions of Russia, the North Caucasus is distinguished by the fact that its population is not just growing, but growing due to natural growth. Positive natural population growth here is more characteristic of the republics - Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan (leaders in Russia).

In the Chechen Republic, the natural increase per 1000 people. amounted to 24.8 people, in Ingushetia - 15.2, in Dagestan - 12.4.

The lowest mortality rate is in Ingushetia (3.1 per thousand people),

The highest mortality rate is in the Rostov region (15 per thousand people, population decline has been noted here since 1990).

Also, the territory of the region has become one of the main centers of forced migrants, a significant part of which are fleeing ethnic conflicts. Here are the Meskhetian Turks, Armenians and Azerbaijanis - victims of the Karabakh conflict, refugees from South Ossetia after the Ossetian-Georgian conflict and others. Almost a quarter of the refugees came from the republics of Transcaucasia - Georgia and Azerbaijan, neighbors of the Russian Federation. But as for the Russian population, there has been an irrevocable departure from the Caucasian republics since about 1989. For example, an active departure was observed after the armed resolution of the crisis in Chechnya.

As for the sex structure of the population, the number of women here exceeds the number of men, as in Russia as a whole.

Labor resources - the part of the country's population that has physical development, mental abilities and knowledge necessary for work. The size of labor resources depends on the size of the population, the mode of its reproduction, composition by sex and age. The main part of the labor resources of the region is its population of working age, as well as adolescents and persons of retirement age who are able to work.

The number of labor resources is directly related to the age structure of the population: pre-working, working and retirement age. The proportion of people of pre-working age in the district varies from 14% in the Rostov region to 33% in the Chechen Republic. The proportion of people of working age does not have such a big jump, it ranges from 60.7 to 64.4%. In general, the population of the North Caucasus region can be assessed as young. The highest number of the population of retirement age in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania - 289.3 per thousand people, in the Rostov region is about the same - 287.6. The lowest share of pensioners is in Ingushetia - 129.9.

Thus, the share of the economically active population of the region was formed (9341 thousand people at the end of 2011). In general, it is growing in the region. However, the unemployment rate in the subjects fluctuates, which is caused by a number of factors (mostly economic and political instability), and it exceeds the national average. Also, the seasonality of agriculture leads to uneven use of labor resources throughout the year.

At the end of 2011, the official unemployment rate in the country was 6.3%. And in the regions of the North Caucasus region, it took the values of 7.7% (Adygea - a decrease in the level compared to previous years), 6.6% (Rostov region, also a decrease), 7.8% (Stavropol Territory), 4.8 % (Krasnodar Territory - the lowest rate in the region), 10.1% (North Ossetia-Alania), 16% (Karachay-Cherkessia), 13.4% (Dagestan, a rather large decrease even compared to 2009), 18 .3% (Kabardino-Balkaria). But in the Chechen and Ingush republics, the unemployment rate is very high - 35.5 and 55%, respectively. During the crisis, these data have changed significantly in a negative direction, which probably further aggravated the already difficult situation in some subjects of the North Caucasus region.

2.2 National composition of the population

The ethnic composition of the population is exceptionally diverse. There are several dozen nationalities and ethnic groups of the indigenous population here, belonging not only to different language groups, but also to different language families. The North Caucasian economic region is the most multinational region of Russia. In total, more than 40 nationalities live here: Russians, Ukrainians, Chechens, Ingush, Ossetians, Avars, Lezgins, Balkars, Adyghes, Karachays and others.

Firstly, the peoples of the Indo-European family live here, in which the most significant is the Slavic group, represented mainly by Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. Since ancient times, the Slavs participated in the settlement of the North Caucasian and Caspian plains. The main part of Russians lives in the Rostov region and the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories, the bulk of Ukrainians and Belarusians fall on the share of these regions. Of the national republics, the largest Russian population is in Adygea (about 60%). The smallest weight in Dagestan, Ingushetia and Chechnya. Of the other Slavic peoples, Bulgarians and Poles live in small numbers and mainly in cities. The Indo-European family includes both Armenians who appeared as emigrants from Turkey, and Crimean Armenians who moved to the Don in the era of Catherine II. Their greatest number is observed in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, the Rostov Region, Adygea and North Ossetia-Alania.

From other peoples of the Indo-European family, but already from the German group, Germans, Greeks, Jews, Gypsies can be noted, but there are relatively few of them. In the 90s, a significant part of the German population emigrated to Germany.

The second largest is the Caucasian language family, which is divided into three groups: Nakh-Dagestan, Adyghe-Abkhaz and Kartvelian (Georgian). Nakh-Dagestan is divided into Chechen-Ingush and Dagestan. Chechens are the largest aboriginal people of the North Caucasus. It was formed in the mountains (like most other Caucasian peoples), and then began to move to the plain. The Ingush mainly live in Ingushetia (after the Ingush-Ossetian conflict, their number in North Ossetia has noticeably decreased).

The Dagestan subgroup is the most diverse, it includes about 30 nationalities - Avars, Dargins, Lezgins, Rutuls, Aguls, Tsakhurs and others. Besides, they live not only in Dagestan. Dargins, for example, are also in the Rostov region, the Stavropol Territory.

The Adyghe-Abkhazian group includes the Adyghe subgroup, which includes three closely related peoples - Kabardians, Circassians and Adyghes, living mainly in the respective republics. The Adyghe-Abkhazian group also includes Abaza living in Karachay-Cherkessia.

Also on the territory of the district live representatives of the Turkic-speaking group of peoples of the Altai family - Karachays, Balkars, Kumyks, Nogais, Tatars, Azerbaijanis. The bulk of the Karachays live in Karachay-Cherkessia and the Stavropol Territory, the Balkars live in Kabardino-Balkaria, but for example, the Nogais have a wider geography - they live in Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Stavropol Territory. After the collapse of the USSR, the number of Azerbaijanis in the region increased significantly.

In addition to the above, Koreans, Mordvins, Chuvashs, Moldavians, Uzbeks and representatives of other nationalities live in the region.

The most common religion in the North Caucasus Economic Region is Islam, followed by Christianity (Orthodoxy)

CHAPTER 3. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ECONOMIC SPECIALIZATION OF THE NORTH CAUCASIAN ECONOMIC REGION

3.1 Industry

A large role in the economy of the North Caucasus is played by fuel and energy, metallurgical, chemical complexes, resort, production of building materials, and agricultural sectors.

Its industry relies heavily on rich natural resource potential:

First, significant reserves of mineral raw materials, allowing the development of industries such as oil and gas, coal, building materials;

Secondly, the use of local agricultural raw materials - as a result of which there is a powerful food industry and a fairly good level of light industry;

Thirdly, specialization in certain engineering industries (for example, agricultural engineering, shipbuilding), which is facilitated by a favorable geographical position, natural resources, and a well-developed transport system;

Fourth, a prominent place in the fishing industry, the production of resort-tourist specific goods.

The largest number of industrial enterprises is located in the Rostov region, the Stavropol Territory and the Republic of Dagestan. Industrial enterprises are localized across the territory of the economic region based on both the availability of a raw material base and the factor of the recreational zone, since it hinders the development of industrial enterprises that negatively affect the environment. And the industries by their share in the region are presented in Table 1:

Table No. 1 "Industries of specialization of the subjects of the federation that are part of the North Caucasus Economic Region"

District subject	Branches of specialization
Republic of Adygea	food; mechanical engineering and metalworking; forestry, woodworking and pulp and paper industry
The Republic of Dagestan	food; fuel; electric power industry
Kabardino-Balkarian Republic	food; mechanical engineering and metalworking; electric power industry
Karachay-Cherkess Republic	food; building materials; electric power industry.
Republic of North Ossetia-Alania	food; non-ferrous metallurgy; electric power industry
The Republic of Ingushetia	fuel; electric power industry; building materials.
Chechen Republic	fuel; building materials; food.
Krasnodar region	food; electric power industry; mechanical engineering and metalworking
Stavropol region	food; electric power industry; chemical
Rostov region	mechanical engineering and metalworking; food; electric power industry.

Thus, the food industry is clearly in the lead, then the fuel and energy complex, then mechanical engineering and metalworking.

Speaking separately about the industries of the region, the following should be noted.

The fuel and energy industry is one of the main ones, as it is old and at the same time quite promising. On the other hand, in many regions, with the further growth of industrial and agricultural production, the fuel and energy balance may be deficient, but the severity of the problem can be smoothed out, firstly, by the launch of all power units of the Rostov nuclear power plant. What are the prospects? This includes the development of oil and gas on the continental shelf of the Caspian Sea, the intensification of geological exploration and the development of new deposits in the Chechen Republic, Dagestan, the construction of plants in Ingushetia, North Ossetia-Alania. For example, in 2000 A special resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation "On priority measures to restore the oil and gas complex in the Chechen Republic" was adopted. A number of oil and gas fields have been discovered in the Rostov region, but for the most part they are not of industrial importance, but the coal industry has a significant decline in dynamics. The electric power industry of the region is connected with the Volga region and is represented mainly by thermal and hydraulic power plants. The largest volume of electricity generation falls on the Rostov Region, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories. The largest thermal power plants have been created in Krasnodar, Grozny, Novocherkassk, Nevinnomyssk, and among the hydroelectric power plants the following stand out: Tsimlyanskaya, Gizeldonskaya, Baksanskaya, Belorechenskaya. Repeatedly, attempts were made in the region to use non-traditional energy sources - wind, solar, biomass (for example, in 1995-1996, a Russian-German project of a wind power station was implemented in the Tsimlyansky district of the Rostov region).

Non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy is represented in the region. An electrozinc plant operates in Vladikavkaz, the Sadonsky lead-zinc plant in the Alagir region, the Urupsky mining and processing plant - in Karachay-Cherkessia, in Tyrnyauz - a tungsten-molybdenum plant, the Nalchik mining and smelting plant, "Kubantsvetmet" in the village of Kholmskaya, etc. Metallurgical plants specialize in the production of steel, pipes, and steel castings.

The machine-building complex is represented by more than 30 industries. In the 90s, the complex, as in all of Russia, was in a rather critical state. When leaving it, a number of enterprises changed their specialization (for example, assembly of cars began at a number of agricultural engineering enterprises). Traditionally, the main branch of engineering has been agricultural engineering. Only the Rostov region produces more than half of all grain harvesters (Rostselmash, Krasny Gidropress, etc.). Of the transport engineering enterprises, one can note the Novocherskassk Electric Locomotive Plant, several enterprises repair railway transport (Rostov-on-Don, Tikhoretsk, Armavir, Novorossiysk, Vladikavkaz), the Rostov Helicopter Production Association, the Taganrog Enterprise named after. Beriev (seaplanes). The automotive industry has not received much development, mainly enterprises with foreign capital operate (for example, Renault in Taganrog), auto repair of spare parts. Naturally, a significant role belongs to shipbuilding and ship repair - Novorossiysk, Yeysk, Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, Tuapse, Akhtubinsk, Krasnodar, Makhachkala and other cities. There are large power engineering enterprises (Krasny Kotelshchik in Taganrog, Atommash in Volgodonsk). The district also has a significant network of instrument-making, electronics, opto-mechanical products, many of which are associated with the military-industrial complex.

The chemical complex develops mainly on local raw materials and produces various types of products - phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, varnishes and paints, synthetic detergents, plastics and artificial fibers. The enterprises of the chemical industry are located mainly in the Rostov region and the Stavropol region. The largest centers of chemical production: Kamensk (chemical fiber, varnishes, plastics, acids), Rostov-on-Don (varnishes, paints, plastics), Volgodonsk (synthetic detergents), Nevinnomyssk (mineral fertilizers) and others.

The building materials industry is represented by the production of cement. The North Caucasus is considered among the leaders in the production of cement and its export to other regions. The remaining branches of the building materials industry are of local importance. In total, about 300 enterprises of the building materials industry operate here.

One of the leading industries is the food industry. In terms of its diversity, the economic region noticeably stands out from other regions. The first place is occupied by the Krasnodar Territory, it provides about 40% of the products of this industry, more than 400 enterprises and about a thousand small workshops operate here. Wine-making enterprises (Abrau-Dyurso, Tsimlyansk sparkling wine factory), mineral water factories (Aqua-Don), tobacco products (JSC Donskoy Tabak), oil mills (Millerovsky and Rostov oil extraction plants), sugar factories (OJSC "Erken-Shahar Sugar Plant", OJSC "Sakharny Zavod" in the village of Shaginskaya) and many other flour-grinding enterprises of the cereal, tea, baking, confectionery, fruit and vegetable canning, fish processing industries.

The light industry of the North Caucasian economic region is not an industry of all-Russian specialization, but several dozens of textile, leather and footwear, fur, knitwear enterprises operate here, such as Donetsk Manufactory OJSC in Donetsk, Rostov Region, Don-Teks CJSC in Shakhty, knitwear association "Iris" in Nalchik and others.

The timber, woodworking, and pulp and paper industries do not play a large role in the economic region. A significant number of these enterprises are relatively small in terms of their production, and in the 1990s, many enterprises completely changed their profile. The main products of production are furniture (Nalchik, Makhachkala, Vladikavkaz, Stavropol, Sochi, Elista), chipboard, packaging for the food industry (primarily for the fish industry). The Krasnodar Territory is the leader in terms of the number of enterprises.

Artistic crafts are also developed in the North Caucasian economic region (Balkhar, Big Gotsatl, Botlik, Kubachi, etc.)

3.2 General characteristics of agriculture

The North Caucasian economic region is an important food base of Russia, a supplier of grain, sunflower, sugar beet (in terms of its production it is second only to the Central Black Earth economic region), vegetables and fruits, grapes, and livestock products. The North Caucasus is the only region of subtropical agriculture in Russia.

The largest areas of land used in agricultural production are located in the Rostov Region, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, and among the republics - Dagestan.

In the structure of the sown areas of the region, the leading place belongs to grain crops: wheat, rye, corn, barley, rice. Cereal crops are grown everywhere, but the main areas of their cultivation are the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories and the Rostov Region, where about 90% of the total amount of grain is produced. The crops are dominated by winter wheat, which occupies about half of the total area of grain crops. The North Caucasus is the main producer of corn in the Russian Federation. Rice sowing is also an industry of specialization. Rice systems have been created in the Rostov Region, Krasnodar Territory, Dagestan, its largest producer is the Kuban. The region is of great importance in the production of important industrial crops: sunflower, sugar beet, and tobacco. The North Caucasus is a large region of horticulture and viticulture. About a third of all fruit and berry plantations and almost all vineyards of the Russian Federation are located here. The North Caucasus is the only region in Russia where subtropical crops are grown - tea, citrus fruits, persimmons, figs.

Harvested areas of grain and industrial crops in the North Caucasus economic region in 2009 amounted to 2682.4 hectares and these figures are less than the data for the previous year, which is most likely due to the general economic crisis.

The share of the North Caucasus is also large in the production of vegetables. Fruit growing, especially viticulture, is of national importance. Vineyards are located in the Kuban-Chernomorsky region, mainly around Anapa, Gelendzhik and Temryuk. It is no coincidence that the North Caucasus holds a leading position in Russia in the production of table and dry wines, champagne and cognacs.

The share of the economic region in the total production of major agricultural crops (namely cereals, sunflower, sugar beets, potatoes and vegetables) in the country in 2009. amounted to 24%.

The entire sown area in the North Caucasus economic region in 2011. amounted to 12,474 thousand hectares, which is a percentage of 2010. is about the same volume (about 99%).

Animal husbandry is an important branch of agriculture in the North Caucasus. The most significant number of cattle is concentrated in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, the Rostov Region and the Republic of Dagestan. Dairy and meat animal husbandry is developed in the foothills and in the Kuban. Total number of cattle as of January 1, 2009 in the households of the population amounted to 2300.7 thousand heads.

On the Lower Don and in the Kuban, pig breeding is developed, where it is favorably combined with grain farming and beet sowing. The large white breed of pigs prevails, which is characterized by high productivity. Pig breeding is poorly developed in Dagestan, Ingushetia and Karachay-Cherkessia, which is associated with a religious factor.

Sheep breeding is distributed mainly in the Stavropol Territory, the Rostov Region and in Dagestan. Fine-wool sheep breeding is of great importance here. The North Caucasus occupies a leading place in Russia in terms of wool shearing. Goat breeding is well developed in the mountainous regions.

Poultry farming is also developed in the North Caucasus. Known in the country are the Adler poultry farm, the Labinsk poultry joint-stock company, and other enterprises.

The main producers of meat are the main agricultural regions - Don, Kuban, Stavropol. The Krasnodar Territory is a leader in the production of milk and eggs. The main part of livestock production (meat and poultry in live weight) is produced by private households, followed by agricultural organizations and only then by farms and individual entrepreneurs (respectively 60, 34 and 6%). The dynamics of livestock production in recent years can be judged from the data in Table 2.

Table No. 2 "Production of certain types of livestock products in the North Caucasus Economic Region"

Despite the fact that from 2002 to 20011 there were positive changes in the production of livestock products, but the level of 1990. has not yet been reached (only honey production is growing). The economic crisis of 2008-2009 inevitably slowed down these rates of development again, but, judging by the words of the President of the Russian Federation D.A. development slowed down a bit, but this is not a catastrophe, in any case we were able to add something. Some sectors of the economy developed, perhaps even better than before. We have now discussed the development of the agricultural sector: both on a national scale and in Kabardino-Balkaria, this is exactly the area that showed its competitiveness during the crisis. And due to this, it is possible, without a doubt, to create jobs and create new facilities that will bring profit, solve a variety of problems.”

The agro-industrial complex provides more than half of the total product of the region. On a per capita basis, the North Caucasian region produces twice as much agricultural products as the Russian average.

3.3 Recreational complex of the district

It is well known that the North Caucasian economic region has the most significant recreational resources compared to other economic regions, including cultural and historical heritage, so the recreational economy can rightfully be considered a branch of specialization of the entire region. The abundance of mineral springs, therapeutic mud, wonderful climate, picturesque nature led to the creation of a wide network of sanatoriums, boarding houses, tourist and climbing bases, rest houses.

Particularly distinguished are such health-improving, tourist-climbing, natural landscape zones and centers as Caucasian Mineralnye Vody, Bolshoi Sochi, Anapa, Teberda, Tambay Valley, Talgi, Arkhyz, Elbrus, Nalchik, Goryachiy Klyuch, Yeysk, Taman Peninsula, Krasnaya Glade, Narzanov Valley and many others.

The Black Sea coast is world famous. Between Anapa and Adler, small resorts and numerous healing areas stretch in a chain. Most of this territory is included in the Bolshie Sochi system, which extends along the sea coast for 140 km and occupies an area of over 350,000 hectares. The ski complex Krasnaya Polyana is undergoing a full-scale reconstruction in connection with the 2014 Olympics. in Sochi. The well-known children's resort complex Anapa, which has high-quality therapeutic mud. The Caucasian Mineralnye Vody resort group is one of the oldest resort areas in Russia (over two hundred years old). Kabardino-Balkaria (Nalchik, Dolinsk, Elbrus region) and Karachay-Cherkessia (Cherkessk, Teberda valley, Dombayskaya Polyana) have great opportunities for using recreational resources. In North Ossetia-Alania there is a balneological resort Tamisku, Tsey. Dagestan (Talgi) is also rich in mineral springs.

It is very important to comprehensively and rationally use the recreational resources of the regions of the North Caucasian economic region, but there are a number of problems on the way to this. These include high environmental pollution, hotbeds of ethno-political conflicts, remoteness of resorts from the main centers of solvent demand, low level of service, and a slow flow of investments. These problems need to be addressed, but actions for this are sometimes taken not entirely rational.

Further development of the resort and recreational complex seems to be the most effective and expedient direction in the development of the entire economy of the North Caucasian economic region.

3.4 General characteristics of transport

The North Caucasian economic region is distinguished by a wide and diversified transport infrastructure, which plays an important role not only in the South of Russia, but also in the system of the all-Russian and international division of labor. There are large ice-free ports, and transit roads, railways, oil and gas pipelines of international importance, and a wide network of airlines.

The main place in the development of interregional exchange of the economic region is occupied by the Rostov Region and the Krasnodar Territory.

The main mode of transport is rail. Today, among the most important highways of the region, one can name the Moscow-Rostov-Derbent-Baku highway, with lines branching off from it to Ukraine, Novorossiysk, Tuapse - Adler, Mineralnye Vody - Kislovodsk, Krasnodar - Elista, etc. end of 2010 amounted to 81.6 million tons, and the departure of passengers by public rail at the end of 2008. amounted to 47880 thousand people. (leader - Krasnodar Territory).

In terms of the density of roads, all regions exceed the average for Russia, especially for the flat regions (Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory), as well as Adygea and North Ossetia-Alania. A number of national highways pass through the territory of the district: Rostov-Baku, Military-Georgian and Military-Sukhumi, Rostov-Volgograd, Rostov-Odessa. Transportation of goods by road transport organizations of all types of activities at the end of 2010. amounted to 280.2 million tons. From year to year, the number of vehicles in the personal use of the population is growing.

Traditionally, water transport plays an important role in the North Caucasian economic region, and this is quite natural. The port of Novorossiysk has no equal in the basin of the Black and Azov Seas in terms of technical equipment and cargo turnover, and the port of Tuapse can also be noted. The most important ports of the Sea of Azov are Taganrog, Azov, Yeisk, Temryuk. Makhachkala stands out among the ports of the Caspian Sea. After the construction of the Volga-Don shipping canal, the role of river transport increased significantly. The concept of the development of the ports of the Krasnodar Territory in the period up to 2020. the expansion of existing ports, primarily Novorossiysk and Tuapse, as well as the construction of new port complexes in Sochi, Gelendzhik and the Taman Peninsula.

Air transport in the 90s has undergone a significant crisis, so the transportation of passengers and goods has decreased several times. Now the situation is changing for the better, but it is not possible to reach the pre-crisis level. The most important airports of the economic region are located in Rostov-on-Don, Mineralnye Vody, Krasnodar, Adler, Makhachkala.

In recent years, the development of pipeline transport in the region has gone at a rapid pace. Among the existing pipelines are: Baku - Novorossiysk, Makhachkala - Grozny - Tuapse, North Caucasus - Center, Grozny - Baku, Tengiz - Novorossiysk. The construction of a powerful gas pipeline Izobilnoye (Stavropol Territory) - Dzhugba (Krasnodar Territory) - Samsun - Ankara (Turkey) was completed.

One of the promising branches of transport is electronic, including power lines and other types of communication. A new fiber-optic backbone is being built by Rostelecom.

CHAPTER 4. PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH CAUCASIAN ECONOMIC REGION

Like any economic region, the North Caucasian region is characterized by various problems and prospects in its development. To begin with, I would like to dwell on the problems in more detail. The main ones at the moment are the following:

Political and ethnic instability;

High level of population migration;

Unemployment;

Instability in agricultural production;

Reducing demand for agro-industrial products (Rostselmash cannot sell its products);

A large gap in the level of development of territories (the difference between steppe and mountainous);

Low GDP per capita;

and others.

Ethnic conflicts in the area occur quite often, so I decided to consider this aspect. It is important to note here that national and interethnic conflicts that arise on an emotional level and do not contain rational principles are considered the most difficult in science. Racial and ethnic groups experience feelings of deep alienation and hostility towards those peoples who, from their point of view, are the "culprits" of their lack of "necessary conditions for development" and the satisfaction of vital needs. Other researchers in this complex controversial problem see the cause of interethnic conflicts in the targeted actions of some politicians to foment them. A variant of inertial actions in interethnic conflicts can be independent operations of individual local groups, their decisions on unauthorized military actions. For example, in the Karabakh conflict more than once there was talk about the unauthorized action of field commanders, the same thing happened in South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Chechnya. There is also such a type of conflict as a “conflict of ideas”: in the scientific literature and the media, the “historical right” of an ethnic group to its ethnic territory (Armenia, Azerbaijan, North Ossetia, Ingushetia) is substantiated. Movements for the creation of their autonomous formations, for example, Nogais and Lezgins in Dagestan, Abazins in Karachay-Cherkessia, can also be attributed to this type of conflict. In the period 1989-2005. (the coming to power of D. Dudayev, the hostilities of 1994-1996, Maskhadov’s rule of 1996-1999, military operations or the “counter-terrorist operation” of 1999-2010, post-conflict reconstruction) a radical transformation took place, and more than once, all lifestyle of the population of the Chechen Republic.

Also, hotbeds of terrorist activity often break out in the North Caucasian economic region, as a result of which many civilians and security personnel die.

In terms of the level of economic development, the North Caucasus ranks last, however, according to some socio-economic indicators, the region is among the leaders of Russia. Table 3 presents the main economic indicators of the region

Table No. 3 "Main social and economic indicators of the North Caucasian economic region for 2008-2011"

Despite many serious problems, the North Caucasian economic region is one of the most promising. According to the level of development of market infrastructure, the district is one of the most prosperous. Almost 1/8 of Russian commercial banks are located here. There are also good conditions for highly profitable state entrepreneurship.

The main directions and problems of the prospective development of the North Caucasus, in my opinion, are:

Preferential development of consumer market sectors - agro-industrial and resort and recreational complexes;

Restoration, reconstruction and growth of mechanical engineering and chemical industries of Russian importance;

The rise of the oil and oil refining industry and infrastructure;

Intensive deployment of a particularly effective agro-industrial complex;

Formation of the region as a center of world tourism and sports in connection with the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 2014;

Expansion and strengthening of the infrastructure of a unique resort and recreational complex;

Reconstruction and development of the transport complex as Russia's "southern gate" to the West.

As is known, all regions of the North Caucasian economic region are part of the Southern Federal District, but at the beginning of the year a new North Caucasian Federal District was created. Alexander Khloponin was appointed as the President's representative. According to D. A. Medvedev, this step will help to manage the district more effectively.

Alexander Khloponin singled out "four clusters of economic development of the North Caucasus" in which major projects are possible: energy, tourism, agro-industrial complex and innovation. In particular, he believes that the Caucasus region has a huge potential for the development of hydropower, promising the construction of small cascade hydroelectric power plants and the development of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. "The potential of the tourist and recreational cluster in the regions of the North Caucasus is incomparable with any other on the territory of Russia," the plenipotentiary said. At the same time, according to him, we are talking not only about the creation of ski resorts, but also about the "development of health resorts and sanatoriums", which "in Soviet times were the most in demand in the country." Speaking about the development of the agro-industrial complex of the North Caucasus Federal District, Mr. Khloponin complained that Russian consumers hear "only Ossetian vodka and Dagestan cognac", although the resources for the production of agricultural goods are large. But in order to bring these goods to the Russian buyer, comprehensive measures are needed, in particular, assistance to small farms in the collection, storage and sale of products. This, according to the plenipotentiary, will allow not only to meet the needs of the Caucasian regions, but also to supply agricultural products to other regions of Russia. In the tourist complex, the plenipotentiary suggested "creating a modern infrastructure, starting with the airport and ending with the roads."

It should also be noted the Federal Target Program "South of Russia" 2008-2012. The total amount of expenses for 2008-2012 financing of the Program is 146,379.4 million rubles (in the prices of the corresponding years), including: 52,100 million rubles from the federal budget, of which: capital investments - 52,100 million rubles; funds from the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation - 11,876 million rubles; non-budgetary sources - 82403.4 million rubles The main goal of the Program is to improve the welfare and quality of life of the population of the republics that are part of the Southern Federal District, ensuring the reduction of their lag behind the average Russian level. Expectations from the program and its results have been calculated, but time will tell how effective this program will be.

CONCLUSION

The North Caucasian economic region is not only the southernmost territory in the European part of Russia, which has an advantageous economic and geographical position, favorable soil and climatic conditions, the richest mineral and recreational resources, a developed industrial, transport and agricultural potential, a wide network of scientific institutions, but also the most multinational region, which requires special attention from the state and its governing structures.

Despite the significant natural and socio-economic resources, rich history, the presence of all-Russian and international industries, in the last decade the North Caucasian economic region has found itself in a rather difficult situation, clearly not corresponding to its potential. This is evidenced by the very low level of gross regional product per capita, as well as low per capita incomes. Although the population of the economic region accounts for 16% of the population of the entire country, its share in industrial production is only about 6%. In addition, the unemployment rate is high.

At present, the North Caucasian economic region, like other regions of Russia, is experiencing a severe crisis, a decline in production in all sectors of the economy, which is aggravated by national conflicts and interethnic problems. Therefore, the main task of the long-term development of this most complex region is the stabilization of the political and economic situation, the implementation of economic market reforms, the development of the diversity of all forms of ownership, entrepreneurship, and especially the priority solution of social problems.

...

ADYGEA

The Adygei Autonomous Region (area - 7.6 thousand km 2) was formed in 1922 and was part of the Krasnodar Territory. Since 1992, Adygea has become an independent subject of the Russian Federation. More than 450 thousand people live in the republic. Approximately half of the territory of Adygea falls on the plain, and half - on the mountains in the basins of the Belaya and Fars rivers.

The climate of the plain is mild and, in combination with black soil, makes it possible to obtain rich harvests of many agricultural crops - from wheat and rice to sugar beets and grapes. Mountains reaching 2 thousand meters are covered with forests. At an altitude of up to 1.2 thousand m, broad-leaved trees predominate - beech, oak, hornbeam; above - Nordmann fir; then comes the undergrowth of birch, mountain ash and maple. Closer to the top, subalpine and alpine meadows spread. The fauna of the mountain forests is very rich: bison, roe deer, chamois, mountain goats, wild boars, wolves, lynxes, bears, many birds live in them.

The Caucasus State Reserve is located in the highland regions of the republic. Once it was a place of royal hunting, which is reminiscent of many names: Panter-ny and Solontsovy ridges, the Prince's Bridge tract, Zubrovaya Polyana, the Kholodnaya, Sad, Turovaya rivers. In the reserve, you can find fir trees that are over 500 years old. In height, they reach 60 m with a trunk thickness of two or three girths. The combination of snow-white peaks, blue sky and huge green trees creates that unique landscape that attracts tourists here.

In the early 60s. 20th century an attempt was made to build a highway Stavropol - Sochi through the central city of Adygea - Maikop. On this wide paved road, there are still signs with the inscriptions: "To Sochi ... km." But in Sochi, you can’t drive along the highway: it reaches almost to the border of the reserve and suddenly ends. Common sense prevailed in time: a unique piece of territory was protected from a powerful flow of cars.

In addition to the beauties of nature, tourists are attracted to Adygea by ancient historical monuments - dolmens and burial mounds. An obelisk was erected in memory of the excavations of mounds in Maykop. Many works of art found by archaeologists are exhibited in the Hermitage.

Adyghes are one of the peoples united by a common name - Ady-gi. They also include Circassians and Kabardians. The ancestors of modern Adyghes at different times were called Meots, Sinds, Kerkets. Over a long history, they mixed with the Sarmatians and Scythians, were under the rule of Byzantium, the Golden Horde, the Crimean Tatars, etc. In the XVIII century. the Turks spread Islam in the North Caucasus, which is now practiced by the majority of believing Adyghes.

Adygea has a diverse ethnic composition, but the majority are Russians (67%) and Adyghes (22%). The influence of Russian and European culture on the Circassians is great: almost everyone knows Russian. At the same time, the Circassians preserved the language of their ancestors, religion, the nature of relations within the family and community, national crafts, including jewelry. They observe the rites associated with birth, death, coming of age, marriage; revere monuments of nature and history, whether it be ancient dolmens or Christian churches and chapels. The settlements of the Adyghes, both in the mountains and on the plains - immersed in gardens, picturesque and neat - are usually large in size. The inhabitants of Adygea are not only excellent farmers and shepherds, but also instructors in tourism and mountaineering, scientists, engineers.

KARACHAYEV-CHERKESIAN

Karachay-Cherkessia received the status of a republic within Russia in 1991. In terms of area, it is almost twice as large as Adygea (14.1 thousand km 2), but in terms of population it is inferior to it (434 thousand people). Mostly Russians (42.4%), Karachays (31.2%) and Circassians (9.7%) live here. The Karachays settled in the highlands, where they have long been engaged in cattle breeding. This people speaks the Karachai language, which is related to the languages of the Turkic group. Some researchers consider the Karachays to be the descendants of the Polovtsy, who once roamed the southern steppes and mixed with the indigenous Caucasian population. Modern Karachays prefer to live in the mountains, and high-mountain meadows serve as pastures. Circassians are mainly engaged in agriculture and settle in the valleys.

The bowels of the republic are rich in minerals. The Urup deposit of copper pyrite has long been known. Since pre-revolutionary times, lead-zinc ore has been mined in the upper reaches of the Kuban at the Elbrus mine. But the mining industry is not the basis of the economy for Karacha-evo-Cherkessia.

The multinational composition of the population is manifested in the diversified development of the economy of the republic. If the Circassians are skilled gardeners and farmers, then the Karachais are famous as excellent livestock breeders. The Karachay breed of sheep with a wonderful black fleece is well known. The Karachay breed of horses is valued far beyond the Caucasus. Kefir, ayran - a drink made from sour milk, cheese and other dairy products are of high quality. Wherever there are tourists, there is a trade in handmade woolen products.

Although the area of arable land in the republic is small, they grow a lot of potatoes, sugar beets and corn. In the north of Karacha-evo-Cherkessia, in Erken-Shakhar, in the 60s. 20th century The largest sugar factory in Russia was built. The economy of the republic is focused on agriculture: its main sectors include animal husbandry and agriculture, production and repair of agricultural machinery, equipment for food storage. This direction of the economy is very favorable for the development of tourism and resort services.

Mountain lakes and waterfalls of Karachay-Cherkessia are accessible to an ordinary pedestrian, glaciers and the most difficult routes are designed for climbers. There are many sources of mineral water on the territory of the republic. The mild, healing climate of mountain resorts also attracts. Teberda, located at an altitude of 1.3 thousand meters, is not much inferior to Kislovodsk, famous for its springs and air. In the upper reaches of the Teberda River, in a mountain basin, lies the world-famous Dombay glade - a favorite place for climbers, tourists and skiers. From here, even inexperienced tourists easily climb to the Alibek glacier, follow the route to the Klukhor pass (2782 m) and to the blue Klukhor lake - small but deep, with floating ice floes in the hottest time of summer. On the pass during the Great Patriotic War there were stubborn battles with the German troops.

KABARDINO-BALKARIA

The northern slope of the Greater Caucasus and part of the foothill plain are occupied by Kabardino-Balkaria. In terms of area (12.5 thousand km 2), it is slightly inferior to its western neighbor - Karachay-Cherkessia, and in terms of population it is almost twice as large (790 thousand people). Approximately half of the inhabitants are Kabardians, about a third are Russians, and a tenth are Balkars. Kabardians belong to the group of Circassians. In certain periods of history, they were very numerous and influential and even subjugated other peoples of the Caucasus. The Balkars are a Turkic-speaking people related to the Karachays; earlier they were called mountain Tatars. Relations between Kabardians and Bal-Kars with Russia have deep historical roots. In 1561, Ivan the Terrible married the daughter of the Kabardian prince Temryuk Aidarovich, who counted on Moscow's support in defense against the Crimea and Turkey. Then, during the period of weakening of Russia, Kabarda fell under the rule of Turkey. In the 19th century Kabardians and Balkars resisted the Russian Empire, but the bloodshed soon ended, replaced by an alliance. The religious beliefs of the Kabardians have also changed many times over the centuries. From ancient beliefs, the population first switched to Christianity under the influence of Byzantium and Georgia, but starting from the 15th century. Islam spread here. Part of the Kabardians (Mozdok) later converted to Orthodoxy again.

It is in Kabardino-Balkaria that the Greater Caucasus reaches its maximum height and is called here the Central. In the Main and Side Ranges, the peaks rise to more than 5,000 m; many glaciers, including more than 12 km long. All major valleys are paved with motor roads, which sometimes go straight to the glaciers. However, none of them rises to the Main Range, all the passes through which are very difficult to access. To the north of the Glavny are the Rocky Range (3646 m - Mount Karakaya), the Pasture Range and the Black Mountains, beyond which the Kabardian Plain begins with heights of about 150 m.

In the upper reaches of the Baksan River, from the Azau glade at an altitude of 2.8 thousand m, on a cable car (funicular) you can climb (up to a height of 3.5 thousand m) to the slopes of the Elbrus volcanic cone, from where a magnificent panorama opens - peaks covered with snow and glaciers, green valleys. From here, climbing to the top of the highest mountain in Russia (5642 m) begins.

The bowels of Kabardino-Balkaria contain a variety of minerals. They have long been mined by local residents, using for the manufacture of household products, jewelry and weapons. Modern industry is also based on underground riches. The most famous is the Tyrnyauz deposit of wolf-ram-molybdenum ores; significant reserves of lead-zinc, lead-antimony ores, iron. Coal is being mined. Mineral springs, which are numerous in the republic, also serve various economic purposes, and hot mineral waters are used to heat greenhouses.

Forests occupy more than 15% of the republic's area, mainly in mountainous areas. The foothill plain within Kabardino-Balkaria is almost completely plowed up. An irrigation (irrigation) system has been created here for centuries.

There are many interesting objects in the republic, and tourists willingly visit it all year round. In the mountains, the ruins of ancient villages have been preserved, climbing steep slopes in cascades. Defensive towers rise above them. One of the deepest lakes in Russia, the Blue Lake (Tserikel), is located in Kabardino-Balkaria. Its depth is 268 m, and this is with small dimensions (width is about 200 m).

The Narzanov Valley is the traditional name for a section of the Khasaut River valley, where there are more than 20 large and many small springs on one kilometer of the way. On the Small Larkhan River you can admire a 20-meter waterfall. The resort conditions of the Narzanov Valley are not inferior to the famous Kislovodsk. This mineral water is probably the most popular in the European part of Russia.

NORTH OSSETIA ALANIA

The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania covers an area of 8 thousand km2. Its population is about 650 thousand people, of which 53% are Ossetians, 30% are Russians. In terms of population density (more than 80 people per 1 km 2) and the degree of urbanization (70% live in cities), North Ossetia ranks first in the North Caucasus.

Ossetians are an ancient people. Among their ancestors there are indigenous Caucasians and representatives of Iranian-speaking tribes - Scythians and Sarmatians (Alans). Once the Ossetians occupied vast areas in the region. Tatar invasion of the 13th century. pushed them deep into the mountains beyond the Main Range, to the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Most Ossetians profess Orthodoxy, which they adopted back in the 6th-7th centuries. under the influence of Byzantium and Georgia. There are also Muslims among the population; penetration of Islam in the XVII-XVIII centuries. contributed Kabardians. In 1774, Ossetia became part of Russia, after which its inhabitants began to move to the foothill plain.

The North Ossetian Autonomous Region was formed as part of the RSFSR in 1924; since 1936 it has become an autonomous republic.

North Ossetia is located on the Ossetian Plain and occupies part of the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. On the mountainous territory of the republic there are the Lateral and Main ridges, and in the north there is a low (926 m) Sunzhensky ridge. The highest mountain - Kazbek (on the border with Georgia) - reaches a height of 5033 m. Other peaks are also high, from the slopes of which many glaciers descend, including the longest in the North Caucasus - Karaugom: its length reaches 14 km.

The climate of the Ossetian Plain is favorable for growing corn, wheat, sunflower; Sugar beet also grows here, but it needs additional watering. The average monthly temperature in January is -4°C, and in July +20-22°C; precipitation per year falls 500-800 mm. As you go up into the mountains, it becomes cooler and the humidity increases. Mountain slopes up to a height of 2 thousand meters are covered with forests, which occupy a quarter of the republic's area. Bear, lynx, marten, fox can be found in these thickets. Above the forests is a belt of tall-grass subalpine meadows. At an altitude of more than 4 thousand meters, the temperature does not rise above zero all year round. In winter, snow with a layer of 50-75 cm covers all mountain slopes, except for rocky cliffs.

North Ossetia is the only republic in the North Caucasus through which highways pass in Transcaucasia. One of them - the Military Ossetian - rises along the Ardon River valley to the Mamison Pass (2819 m), the other - the Georgian Military - passes through the Cross Pass (2379 m).

North Ossetia is famous for its fertile arable land, lush gardens, high mountain pastures, virgin forests, mineral waters, and minerals. Already at the beginning of the XX century. several dozen deposits of copper, silver-zinc and iron ores were known. The land of North Ossetia is also rich in manganese, molybdenum, arsenic, sulfur pyrite, jet (a valuable black ornamental stone used for jewelry). In the vicinity of Vladikavkaz, interlayers of sand impregnated with oil were found.

In the largest Sadonsky silver-lead-zinc deposit, located 60 km west of Vladikavkaz, ore has been mined since ancient times. In the 19th century the military department of Russia attracted the Ural peasants for its development. In 1896, the deposit was bought by the Belgians, who organized the Alagir joint-stock company, which equipped the mines, built an enrichment factory next to them, a small hydroelectric power station on the Sadon River, and an ore-smelting plant in Vladikavkaz. Before the First World War, thousands of tons of zinc and lead, hundreds of kilograms of silver were smelted here every year.

In the modern economy of North Ossetia, non-ferrous metallurgy is the leading industry. The richest deposits (Sadonskoye, Fiagdonskoye, Zgidskoye, etc.) supply ore to enrichment plants located nearby. Concentrates are processed in Vladikavkaz.

In agriculture, grain production and horticulture are developed, small areas are occupied by vineyards. About half of the farmland is set aside for sowing corn, a traditional crop in Ossetia. The republic has a large number of cattle and developed pig breeding.

The industry and agriculture of North Ossetia are so developed that tourism is less important here than in other republics of the North Caucasus. Tourists visit the Tsey glacier, not far from which is the ancient Ossetian sanctuary Rekom.

Near the village of Darvas, several dozen burial grounds (family crypts) with burials of the 14th-19th centuries, known under the common name "City of the Dead", have been preserved. In the mountainous regions of Ossetia, there are ancient houses and tower-fortresses - witnesses of ancient customs and events.

INGUSHETIA

In 1924, the Ingush Autonomous Region was formed. In 1934, it merged with the Chechen Autonomous Region into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Region, which in 1936 was transformed into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the RSFSR. In 1992, after the separation of Chechnya, the Ingush Republic was proclaimed as part of the Russian Federation. This is the smallest Russian republic in terms of area (19.3 thousand km 2) and population (about 300 thousand people). Its people are one of the most ancient in the North Caucasus.

Ingushetia is located east of Ossetia and occupies mainly the basin of the Assa River, a tributary of the Terek. Natural conditions in the republic are the same as in Ossetia. To the east of Vladikavkaz, the dry heat of the deserts is already slightly felt. The forests here slightly change their shade (hornbeam and oak predominate in the foothills and hollows) and retreat a little into the mountains.

The capital of Ingushetia - Nazran, with a population of 23 thousand people (1994), became a city in 1967. It is located on the railway line Rostov-on-Don - Baku. There are few industrial enterprises in Nazran: a power tool factory, a knitwear factory, and a flour mill.

The sight of Ingushetia is its old architectural ensembles. First of all, these are the ruins of villages with battle towers of the 14th-18th centuries. from gray raw stone. Some of them can be approached from the side of the Georgian Military Highway. On the southern slope of the Rocky Ridge, above the buildings destroyed from time to time, slender silhouettes of the surviving towers of five or six floors, with narrow loopholes, rise. Each tower gradually narrows and ends with a pyramid-shaped stone roof. At the level of the second floor there is a door from which a ladder was once lowered. Near the village of Khairakh in the valley of the Assa River, the temple of Tkhiba Yerdy of the 11th-13th centuries has been preserved. - evidence of the spread of Christian teaching among the Ingush.

CHECHEN REPUBLIC

In recent years, the Chechen Republic has become known throughout the world. The fighting on its territory, including in the capital - Grozny, the bombing of this largest and richest city in the North Caucasus and its significant destruction, the death of thousands of people, refugees, hostages, abductions of residents - all these phenomena, wild even for the Middle Ages, attracted everyone's attention (see article "The War in Chechnya" in the volume "History of Russia", part three, "Encyclopedia for Children").

The Chechen Autonomous Region was formed in 1922 and then merged with the Ingush Autonomous Region to form the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991, Chechen leaders announced the creation of a sovereign and independent Chechen Republic - Ichkeria, separated from Ingushetia and Russia in general.

Nevertheless, according to the Constitution in force in Russia, Chechnya is a subject of the Russian Federation. By agreement of the parties, the final decision on the status of the republic was postponed until the beginning of the 21st century.

In terms of population and area, the Chechen Republic is approximately 2.5-3 times smaller than Dagestan located to the east and much larger than Ingushetia. The total number of Chechens within Russia is almost 900 thousand people (according to 1989 data); Of these, approximately 400,000 live in Chechnya itself.

Chechens and Ingush are close in language, origin, customs and way of life. Chechens quite late (although much earlier than the Ingush) converted to Islam: in the XVIII-XIX centuries. The nature of the two republics is very similar. However, only in the bowels of Chechnya there are oil reserves, which largely determined its development in the 20th century.

The Chechen Republic is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus and on the adjacent Tersko-Sunzhenskaya Plain. The highest point in Chechnya is Mount Tebulosmta (4493 m). The plain is covered with fertile chernozems; the mountains are covered with forests, 80% of which are tall beeches. Minerals have been discovered in the southern part of Chechnya: near the village of Evdokimova - copper, near the village of Kei - silver-lead ores, near the village of Shatoy - sulfur. There are also antimony, gypsum and other minerals. At the beginning of the XX century. The population was mainly engaged in agriculture. Wheat, corn, and millet were sown on the plains; sheep and racehorses were bred in the mountains. Beekeeping was quite widespread. Cloth was made in the northern regions, and cloaks were made in the southern regions. Blacksmithing and jewelry were developed.

The modern economy includes traditional occupations, to which were added irrigated agriculture on the plain and a powerful industry associated with the exploration, production and processing of oil. In the landscape of Chechnya, weaves of pipes, oil rigs and tanks occupy a prominent place. The republic's oil fields are not gigantic, like those in Siberia or the Middle East, but they are convenient for development.

On the southern slope of the Sunzha Ridge, about 40 kilometers west of Grozny, there is a large resort called Sernovodsk with healing mineral springs. On the whole, in terms of the richness and diversity of natural resources, Chechnya is not much inferior to other North Caucasian republics, and in terms of oil reserves it surpasses them all.

DAGESTAN

The largest of the North Caucasian republics, both in terms of area (50.3 thousand km 2) and population (almost 2 million people) is Dagestan. In addition, it is the most energy-saturated, the driest, the warmest and the most treeless republic of the region. Dagestan also set several all-Russian records. Here, the population continues to grow most rapidly (against the background of its decrease in the whole country). More than 30 nationalities inhabiting Dagestan speak 29 languages and 70 dialects; according to these indicators, the republic can even claim the world championship.

Islam penetrated Dagestan earlier than other North Caucasian republics; For this reason, the inhabitants of the republic are most committed to Islam. 57% of the population of Dagestan lives in villages; At the same time, nowhere in the North Caucasus are cities as ancient as in Dagestan: Derbent, for example, is more than 5 thousand years old - this is the oldest city in Russia. Even the nature of the republic is unique: here is the lowest mark in Russia and Europe - 26 m below sea level.

Dagestan is located at the Caspian Gates - where the path from Transcaucasia to the northern plains begins. The peoples of the republic often suffered from the raids of the conquerors. The inhabitants took refuge in the mountains, behind narrow gorges, on impregnable plateaus. Plains from the VIII to the end of the X century. occupied the Khazar Khaganate, the Caspian Sea in those days was called the Khazar. The capital of the kaganate was then located on the site of the modern village of Tarki not far from Makhachkala.

The largest indigenous peoples of Dagestan are Avars (27%), Dargins (15%), Kumyks (13%), Lezgins (11%), Laks, as well as Tabasarans, Nogais, Tats, Aguls, Rutuls, Tsakhurs. There are very small ethnic groups. So, the village of Ginuh, with several dozen houses, has its own language, its own customs.

The variety of natural conditions and the richness of national traditions determined the features of numerous folk crafts. Almost everywhere there are masters. Goldsmiths and jewelers work in the famous village of Kubachi, ceramics are produced in Gotsatl, carpets are produced in Untsukul, etc.

Despite the mixture of peoples and languages, Dagestan has been perceived as an integral country for hundreds of years. In 1921, the Dagestan ASSR was created, and in 1991, the Republic of Dagestan was proclaimed as part of Russia.

Translated from Turkic, Dagestan means "country of mountains". However, it occupies not only the mountains of the eastern part of the North Caucasus, but also the adjacent plains of the Caspian Sea. Steppe and semi-desert lowlands extend to the north from the ridges for almost 200 km, and mountains continue to the south, also for almost 200 km. The Caspian coast is the warmest corner of the North Caucasus. The average monthly temperature in January is above zero here, as on the Black Sea coast, and in July it is even hotter - up to +24 °C. However, in these places the mountains no longer protect from the northern winds, so in winter there are severe frosts - in the north of the republic up to -40 ° C.

The mountains of Dagestan are high, with steep slopes. The height of the peak of Bazar-duzu on the border with Azerbaijan is 4466 m. The climate in the mountains is quite dry, so there are few glaciers. Vast areas are occupied by high (2.3-2.7 thousand m) plateaus, the most famous of which are Khunzakh and Gunib.

The mountains of Dagestan are cut by the deepest canyons of the rivers (Sulak, Samur) and their tributaries. The Sulak Gorge between the Gimrinsky Range and Sulak-tau was once the site of fierce battles between Shamil's rebels and the troops of the Russian Tsar (1832).

Now the highest (231 m) mud dam has been built here on other rivers of Dagestan. They not only provide the republic with electricity, but also irrigate the lands in the mountains and on the plains. Valuable fish are found in the mouths of the rivers, including sturgeon, beluga, stellate sturgeon, Caspian salmon, white salmon. Red deer, wild boar, and many birds live in the reed beds covering the coastal floodplains (shores flooded in spring).

In the forests - they occupy only 7% of the area of \u200b\u200bthe mountains - wolves, bears and lynxes are found. In the foothills you can see a large (25-30 cm) turtle, a snake - a huge brown viper sleeping on stones, a bright green snake. On the plains, in the steppes and semi-deserts, the animal world is different in nature: birds, various rodents, in the very north - saigas, the steppe fox - corsac.

The mountains of Dagestan are a kind of fortress that protects the population of the interior. From the side of the plains, one can penetrate here, as a rule, passing through narrow, difficult to overcome gorges. At the same time, in the mountains themselves there are many wide, convenient valleys where you can farm and build housing. The mountain slopes scorched by the sun are densely populated: tens of thousands of people live in some villages.

Mountain villages are interconnected by highways, winding serpentine. Gray cubes of houses are molded one to one and one above the other, hanging over the slopes of the mountains, like swallows' nests. There is neither a green lawn nor a tree here. In the mountains, they do not build houses on lands suitable for cultivation, saving them for arable land. To expand the fields, artificial terraces were created on steep slopes and soil was brought here. Now these plots amaze with grooming. However, with the advent of cheaper grain produced on the plains, the terraces began to be used mainly as meadows. Breeding sheep and horses is an important branch of the economy of Dagestan. In summer, animals are grazed in alpine meadows, and in winter - in the steppe, on the plain. Sheep are sometimes transported by car, reducing losses from long hauls. In the mountain valleys and foothills there are many orchards and vineyards, the fruits of which are used in large quantities for the production of canned food and wine.

The flat part of Dagestan is located on the territory of the Caspian lowland. Within the republic, it bears the names Tersko-Kumskaya (to the north of the Terek) and Tersko-Sulakskaya or Kumykskaya (to the south). Flat near the coast, the Tersko-Kuma lowland gradually rises as it moves away from the Caspian Sea, and irregularities appear on it - sand dunes and ridges fixed by vegetation. This part is called the Nogai steppe. The landscapes here are mostly steppe and semi-desert, there are solonchaks. Sparse bushes grow wormwood, saltwort, cereals and herbs. The main wealth of the Nogai steppe is pastures where fine-fleeced and coarse-wooled sheep are bred. Agriculture is subsidiary. Most of the indigenous population are Nogais, descendants of the once numerous and formidable horde that roamed the plains of the North Caucasus. This is a Turkic-speaking people with a long history. The traditional occupation of the Nogais is cattle breeding, but among them, like hundreds of years ago, today there are representatives of various professions. Modern Nogais lead a largely sedentary lifestyle. Their settlements are located near irrigation canals and many windmills (wind power plants) resemble Dutch villages. However, if in Holland the land is drained with the help of windmills, then in Dagestan they serve for watering gardens and orchards.

The Kumyk plain, like the Nogai steppe, was named after the people inhabiting it - the Kumyks. The land located between the foot of the mountains and the Terek is convenient for cultivation: there are many vineyards and orchards, especially near Makhachkala. Kumyk settlements usually represent a large garden in which houses turn white.

In the bowels of Dagestan, large deposits of mineral raw materials have not yet been discovered, but there are many small ones. Literally "from under Makhachkala" for two decades, starting from 1942, oil was produced. In 1972, the development of the Shamkhal-Bulak gas field began, from which gas pipelines stretched to all parts of the republic. Deposits of iron ore, gypsum, alabaster, building stone, glass sands, mineral and thermal (warm) waters provide a variety of needs for the modern economy of Dagestan.

The Caspian Sea is rich in various fish. The most valuable are sturgeons, whose caviar is worth almost its weight in gold. The beaches of Dagestan are wonderful, vast and sandy, with sloping shores. This is an ideal place for children's recreation. However, there are still no traditions of tourist services here, and resort resources have been developed very poorly.

The nature of Dagestan is not only generous, but also harsh in the manifestation of its elements. In 1970, the strongest earthquake in the North Caucasus occurred here, from which several cities and villages suffered. Large landslides and landslides descended in the mountains at that time. The storms of the Caspian Sea are also very cruel. Previously, fishermen used to say: "He who has not been to the sea has never seen grief." Since 1978, the level of the Caspian began to rise rapidly. Farmlands are flooded, homes and roads are destroyed, so it is necessary to build dams or move buildings further from the sea.

The capital of Dagestan - Makhachkala is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, at the foot of Mount Tarkitau. It was founded as a military fortification in 1844 near the place where the camp of Peter I was in 1722. The Highlanders called the fortification Anji-Kala - the Flour Fortress. In 1857 the fortress received the status of a city and the name of Petrovsk-Port. Soon the port itself was built, and in 1896 a railway was brought to it. The city was renamed Makhachkala - in honor of the active participant in the civil war, Makhach Dakhadayev. The population of the city is 395 thousand people. A beautiful center built in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. surrounded by modern quarters and factories. The city is home to the Dagestan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, theaters and museums.

Machines, instruments, building materials are produced in Makhachkala, the food industry is developed. The city itself is a balneological and seaside climatic resort: its mineral waters, therapeutic mud, extensive sandy beaches and warm sea are widely used.

The small (44 thousand people) city of Kizlyar is located on a plain in the Terek delta. It was first mentioned in 1652. In 1735, the first Russian fortress in the Caucasus was founded in this place. In the second half of the XVIII century. Kizlyar was the administrative and commercial center of the North Caucasus; not only Persian, but also Indian merchants traded in its bazaars. The city has traditionally been famous for its vineyards and winemaking. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of the XVIII century. many Armenians and Georgians moved here. Despite its small size, Kizlyar is the cultural center of Dagestan. The city has several museums and many historical monuments.

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Republics of the Caucasus and their capitals

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