Daghestan, an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), founded in 1921, is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. It also borders on the Caucasus mountains to the south, hence the name "Land of Mountains"--the meaning of Daghestan. The elevation of the republic varies from almost 100 feet (30 m) below sea level at the Caspian Sea to 14,700 feet (4,482 m) in the south. Because of the steep mountains and valleys, most of Daghestan's mineral resources are untapped. Oil and natural gas are tapped along the coast, and some hydro-power is produced in the mountains