Avars (Caucasus)
Imam Shamil, an Avar who was the third Imam of the Caucasian Imamate and led 19th century resistance to Imperial Russia. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 1.3 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Russia | 1,012,074 (2021) 956,831 (2021) |
| Azerbaijan | 150,000 |
| Georgia | 1,060 |
| Languages | |
| Avar | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Northeast Caucasian peoples (especially Andi people, Tsez people and Dargins) | |
The Avars (/ˈævɑːrz/), also known as Maharuls' (Avar: магӀарулал, romanized: maⱨarulal, lit. 'mountaineers'), are a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group. The Avars are the largest of several ethnic groups living in the Russian republic of Dagestan. The Avars reside in the North Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Alongside other ethnic groups in the North Caucasus region, the Avars live in ancient villages located approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. The Avar language spoken by the Caucasian Avars belongs to the family of Northeast Caucasian languages. Sunni Islam has been the prevailing religion of the Avars since the 14th century.