Dagestan in 3 Russian words

Pavel Sipachev/Getty Images
Pavel Sipachev/Getty Images
This North Caucasian republic is known in the world, largely due to its famous martial arts school and many outstanding athletes, as well as its stunning scenery. Below are three of its main symbols.

1. ХИНКАЛ (Khinkal)

Legion Media
Legion Media

This traditional dish from Dagestan cuisine consists of pieces of dough boiled in meat broth. It’s then served with broth, boiled meat and sauce. The cooking methods also differ among the different peoples of Dagestan! The ‘khinkal’ should not be confused with Georgian ‘khinkali’, which is a large dumpling filled with minced meat.

2. СУЛАКСКИЙ КАНЬОН (Sulak Canyon)

Aleksandr Vrublevskii/Design Pics/Getty Images
Aleksandr Vrublevskii/Design Pics/Getty Images

This is the deepest canyon in Europe. Its depth reaches 1,560 meters (5,118 ft.) and its length is 53 kilometers (32 miles). It’s located in the Sulak River Valley in the central part of Dagestan. The highest point of the canyon is the Alexandre Dumas Cliff. The great French writer traveled there once in 1858.

3. ХАБИБ НУРМАГОМЕДОВ (Khabib Nurmagomedov)

Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov is an outstanding mixed martial artist, former UFC lightweight champion and one of the most famous Russian athletes in the world. He was born in the small Dagestani village of Sildi near Chechnya and Georgia in 1988.

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