Derbent
Derbent (Russian: Дербе́нт; Lezgian: Кьвевар, Цал; Azerbaijani: Дәрбәнд, romanized: Dərbənd; Avar: Дербенд), formerly romanized as Derbend, is a city in Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second-most important city of Dagestan. Derbent occupies the narrow gateway between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains connecting the Eurasian Steppe to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the south; covering an area of 69.63 square kilometres (26.88 sq mi), with a population of roughly 120,000 residents.
Derbent
Дербент | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Azerbaijani | Дәрбәнд (Dərbənd) |
| • Tat and Avar | Дербенд |
| • Lezgian | Кьвевар, Цал, Дербенд |
| • Dargwa | Чяли |
|
Coat of arms | |
Location of Derbent | |
Derbent Location of Derbent in Dagestan Derbent Location of Derbent in European Russia Derbent Location of Derbent near the Caspian Sea Derbent Location of Derbent near the Caucasus mountains Derbent Location of Derbent in Russia | |
| Coordinates: 42°03′N 48°18′E | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Dagestan |
| Founded | 438 |
| City status since | 1840 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Khizri M. Abakarov |
| Area | |
| • Total | 69.63 km2 (26.88 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 119,200 |
| • Estimate (2018) | 123,720 (+3.8%) |
| • Rank | 137th in 2010 |
| • Density | 1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi) |
Administrative status | |
| • Subordinated to | City of Derbent |
| • Capital of | City of Derbent, Derbentsky District |
Municipal status | |
| • Urban okrug | Derbent Urban Okrug |
| • Capital of | Derbent Urban Okrug, Derbentsky Municipal District |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (MSK ) |
| Postal code(s) | 368600 |
| Dialing code(s) | +7 87240 |
| OKTMO ID | 82710000001 |
| Website | www |
Derbent claims to be the oldest city in Russia, with historical documentation dating to the 8th century BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Due to its strategic location, over the course of history, the city changed ownership many times, particularly among the Persian, Arab, Mongol, Timurid, and Shirvan kingdoms. In the 19th century, the city passed from Persian into Russian hands by the Treaty of Gulistan of 1813.