mountains. It is the southernmost part of Russia and is bordered on its eastern side by the Caspian Sea. Area: Borders: internal: Kalmykia (N), Chechnya (W), and Stavropol Krai (NW) international: Azerbaijan (Balakan District, Khachmaz District, Oghuz District, Qabala District, Qakh District, Qusar District, Shaki District and Zaqatala District) (S), Georgia (Kakheti) (SW) water: Caspian Sea (E) Highest point: Mount Bazardüzü/Bazardyuzyu: Maximum north–south distance: Maximum east–west distance: Rivers There are over 1,800 rivers in the republic. Major rivers include: Sulak River Samur River Terek River Avar Koisu Andi Koisu Kazi-Kumukh Koisu Lakes Dagestan has about of coastline on the world's largest lake, the Caspian Sea. Mountains Most of Dagestan is mountainous, with the Greater Caucasus Mountains covering the south of the republic. The highest point is the Bazardüzü/Bazardyuzyu peak at , on the border with Azerbaijan. The southernmost point of Russia is located about seven kilometers southwest of the peak. Other important mountains are Diklosmta (), Gora Addala Shukgelmezr () and Gora Dyultydag (). The town of Kumukh is one of the settlements on the mountains. Natural resources Dagestan is rich in oil, natural gas, coal, and many other minerals. Climate The climate is classified as a continental climate, with a significant lack of precipitation. It is among the warmest places in Russia. In the mountainous regions, it is subarctic. Average January temperature: Average July temperature: Average annual precipitation: (northern plains) to (in the mountains). Administrative divisions Dagestan is divided into forty-one administrative districts (raions) and ten cities/towns. The districts are further subdivided into nineteen urban-type settlements, and 363 rural okrugs and stanitsa okrugs. History In the first few centuries AD, Caucasian Albania (corresponding to modern Azerbaijan and southern Dagestan) became a vassal and eventually subordinate to the Parthian Empire. With the advent of the Sassanian Empire, it became a satrapy (province) within the vast domains of the empire. In later antiquity, it was a few times fought over by the Roman Empire and the Sassanid Persians as the former sought to contest the latter's rule over the region, without success. Over the centuries, to a relatively large extent, the peoples within the Dagestan territory converted to Christianity alongside Zoroastrianism. In the 5th century, the Sassanids gained the upper hand, and by the 6th century had constructed a strong citadel at Derbent, known from then on as the Caspian Gates, while the Huns overran the northern part of Dagestan, followed