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).

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 ()—after the Russian tsar Peter the Great who visited the region in 1722. The city was renamed Petrovsk-Port () in 1857, and then Makhachkala in 1921. The city incurred major damage during the earthquake of May 14, 1970. The city is subdivided into three city districts: Leninsky, Sovetsky, and Kirovsky.

Cities named for Russian royals

МахIачхъала | Махачкала | Machačkala | Machatschkala | Mahhatškala | Maĥaĉkala | Makhatchkala | 마하치칼라 | Mahačkala | Махачкала | Machatsjkala | マハチカラ | Makhatsjkala | Machaczkała | Makhachkala | Махачкала | Махачкала | Mahatškala | Machatjkala