Makhachkala

Caspian Sea Map

Makhachkala, “Fort Maghach”, is the capital city of the Republic of Dagestan, Russia.

Location

Makhachkala is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and is home to the Makhachkala Grand Mosque, one of Russia’s largest.

Jat clans

The city Makhachkala has an ethnic plurality, with the Avars and Laks as the largest groups.

History

Founded as a fortress of the Russian Empire in 1844 and given city status thirteen years later, the city bore the name of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great until 1921. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Makhachkala has been affected by Islamist insurgents as part of a republic-wide conflict.