Makhachkala is the capital of multinational Dagestan Republic. On the 14’th of May 1921 the town of Port-Petrovsk was proclaimed the capital of the Dagestan ASSR and was renamed Makhachkala (literally “Fortress of Makhach”) in honor of outstanding Dagestan fighter for Soviet Power Makhach Dakhadayev.

According to the population census (1, January 1997) there live about 370 thousand people in the capital.

The town is situated in the south-eastern part of the North Caucasus, on the east coast of the Caspian Sea, at the foot of a picturesque Tarkitau Mountain.

Makhachkala is a very beautiful seaside town on the Caucasus, it possesses remarkable natural condition and rare curative properties, including mountains, sea, mineral springs.

The Amalgamated Museum of History and Architecture, which is one of the richest and the most substantial in the North Caucasus, the Republican Museum of Fine Arts, picture gallery, monuments of distinguished heroes of the Civil War and the Great Patriotic War, of famous scientists, writers and poets are of great interest for the tourists visiting Makhachkala.

All higher state government bodies, 90% of all scientific and educational institutions, ministries and departments, republican newspapers and magazines editorial officers, radio and television stations, 5 national theatres and many other cultural and enlightenment institutions are concentrated in Makhachkala.