Pyatigorsk is a city located in the Stavropol Krai region of Russia. It is situated on the Podkumok River and lies approximately 20 kilometers (12 mi) from the town of Mineralnye Vody, which serves as an international airport hub, and about 45 kilometers (28 mi) from Kislovodsk.
The city serves as the administrative center of Russia's North Caucasian Federal District, a role it has held since January 19, 2010. According to census data, its population was recorded at 142,511 in 2010, following previous counts of 140,559 in 2002 and 129,499 during the 1989 Soviet census.