MAKHACHKALA

'Makhachkala' (: Avar: МахIачхъала) is a city in Russia, the capital of the Republic of Dagestan. It is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, at . Population: 462,412 (2002 Census).

Contents

History

Subdivisions

Demographics

Sister cities

References

History

Makhachkala's historic predecessor was the town of Tarki, now a mere suburb, whose history goes back to the 15th century and possibly much earlier. The modern city of Makhachkala was founded in 1844 as a fortress; town status was granted in 1857. The original name of the city was 'Petrovskoye' (Петро́вское)—after the Russian tsar Peter the Great who visited the region in 1722. The city was renamed 'Petrovsk-Port' (Петро́вск-Порт) in 1857, and then Makhachkala in 1921. The city incurred major damage during the earthquake of May 14, 1970.

Subdivisions

The city is subdivided into three city districts: Leninsky, Sovetsky, and Kirovsky.

Demographics

In 1994, population of Makhachkala included: [1]

★ 20% Avars

★ 20% Russians

★ 10% Dargins

★ 50% others
According to another source, population of Makhachkala include: [2]

★ Avars (21%)

★ Russians (18%)

★ Kumyks (15%)

★ Dargins (12.4%)

★ Laks (12%)

★ Lezgins (9.5%)

★ Chechens (4.3%)

★ Azeri (1.6%)

Sister cities

Makhachkala is twinned with

★ 'Spokane, Washington' (USA)

References