Sarykum or Sary-Kum (translated from the Kumyk language as “Yellow Sand”) is the largest sand dune in Europe, located in the central part of the Republic of Dagestan, about 18 km northwest of Makhachkala. It is one of the largest sand dunes in Eurasia, approximately 3 km long, 2 km wide and up to 262 meters high.

The dune is located in a protected area, part of the Dagestan Nature Reserve, created on January 9, 1987. In 1968, several scenes of the famous Soviet movie “White Sun of the Desert” were filmed here. The Sarykum Sand Dune on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

unique natural monument

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Chirkey Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the North Caucasus, is located in the central part of the Republic of Dagestan. It was formed on the Sulak River as a result of the construction of the Chirkey hydroelectric power station.

The reservoir is also used for fishing and water supply. Its height above sea level is 335 m. The water surface area is 42.4 square km, the volume – 2.78 cubic km. The greatest depth is 220 m. The width of the reservoir exceeds 5 km. Chirkey Reservoir on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

beautiful tourist sight

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Khunzakh is a very picturesque village with a population of 4 thousand people located in the southern mountainous part of the Republic of Dagestan, 140 km southwest of the city of Makhachkala, at an altitude of about 1,700 meters above sea level.

The houses here are built on the very edge of the Khunzakh plateau, where the height of sheer cliffs reaches 100 meters. Khunzakh on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

very picturesque mountain village

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Gunib, a village of about 2,600 people located 150 km southwest of Makhachkala, is one of the most picturesque places in the Republic of Dagestan. It stands on the plateau of the same name at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level.

The village arose in connection with the construction of the Russian military fortification in 1862. The fortification was named after the former village of Gunib, which was located on the top of the plateau and was destroyed in 1859. Gunib on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Gunib

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Sulak Canyon, one of the most picturesque natural sights of the Republic of Dagestan, is the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. The length of the canyon is 53 kilometers, the depth reaches 1,920 meters, which is about 60 meters deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in the US.

This is one of the most visited tourist sites in Dagestan. However, it is also one of the most dangerous places: high cliffs, sharp rocks, strong winds, the absence of any railings along the canyon. Sulak Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Murad Magomedov.

amazing natural landmark

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

“Anzhi” (also spelled “Anji”) is a Russian football club from Makhachkala (capital city of Dagestan Republic) playing in the Russian Football Championship. The name of the club is an ancient name of the city of Makhachkala. Also the word “Anzhi” means “pearl”. The official club colors are green, yellow and white.

FC Anzhi Makhachkala emblem

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Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city