Makhachkala is the capital and largest city of Dagestan, Russia. Situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea, it covers an area of 468.13 square kilometres. The city has a population exceeding 623,254 residents, while its broader urban agglomeration encompasses over 3,712 square kilometres with approximately 1 million people.
Historically known by the names Petrovskoye (1844–1857), Port-Petrovsk (1857–1921), or the local Kumyk name Anji, Makhachkala is a significant regional hub. It ranks as the fourth-largest city in the Caucasus and the largest in both the North Caucasus and the North Caucasian Federal District. Additionally, it is the third-largest city on the Caspian Sea, following Baku and Rasht.
The city is characterized by its extreme ethnic diversity, featuring a minor ethnic Russian population among its various residents.