En name	Derbent
Ru name	Дербент
Coordinates	42°04′″N48°17′″N
Map label position	top
Federal subject	Republic of Dagestan
Federal subject ref
Adm data as of	April 2006
Adm city jur	City of Derbent
Adm city jur ref
Capital of	Republic of Dagestan
Capital of ref
Adm ctr of1	City of Derbent
Adm ctr of1 ref
Adm ctr of2	Derbentsky District
Adm ctr of2 ref
Inhabloc cat	City
Inhabloc cat ref
Mun data as of	November 2006
Urban okrug jur	Derbent Urban Okrug
Urban okrug jur ref
Mun admctr of1	Derbent Urban Okrug
Mun admctr of1 ref
Mun admctr of2	Derbentsky Municipal District
Pop 2010census	119961
Pop 2010census rank	136th
Pop 2010census ref
Pop 2002census	101031
Pop 2002census rank	163rd
Pop 2002census ref
Commonscat	Derbent
Date	August 2011 }}

Whs	Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent
State party
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, iv
Id	1070
Region	Europe
Year	2003
Session	27th
Link	http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1070 }}

Derbent (; ; Lezgian: Кьвевар; Avar: Дербенд; Lak: Чурул, ''Churul''; Persian: دربند; Judæo-Tat: דארבּאנד/Дэрбэнд/''Dərbənd'') is a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. It is on the Caspian Sea, north of the Azerbaijani border. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second most important city of Dagestan. Population:

Often identified with the legendary Gates of Alexander, Derbent claims to be the oldest city in Russia (8th century BCE) . Since antiquity the value of the area as the gate to the Caucasus has been understood and Derbent has archaeological structures over 5,000 years old. As a result of this geographic particularity the city developed between two walls, stretching from the mountains to the sea. These fortifications were continuously employed for a millennium and a half, longer than any other extant fortress in the world. Over the years different nations gave the city different names, but all connected to the word 'gate'.

Geography[link]

The modern city is built near the western shores of the Caspian Sea, south of the Rubas River, on the slopes of the Tabasaran Mountains (part of the Bigger Caucasus range). Derbent is well served by public transport, with its own harbor, a railway going south to Baku, and the Baku to Rostov-on-Don road.

To the north of the town is the monument of the Kirk-lar, or forty heroes, who fell defending Dagestan against the Arabs in 728. To the south lies the seaward extremity of the Caucasian wall (fifty metres long), otherwise known as Alexander's Wall, blocking the narrow pass of the Iron Gate or Caspian Gates (''Portae Athanae'' or ''Portae Caspiae''). This, when entire, had a height of 29 ft (9 m) and a thickness of about 10 ft (3 m), and with its iron gates and numerous watch-towers formed a valuable defence of the Persian frontier.

History[link]

Derbent has an important strategic location in the Caucasus: the city is situated on a narrow, three-kilometer strip of land between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus mountains. Historically, this position allowed the rulers of Derbent to control land traffic between the Eurasian Steppe and the Middle East. The only other practicable crossing of the Caucasus ridge was over the Darial Gorge.

The first intensive settlement in the Derbent area dates from the 8th century BCE; the site was intermittently controlled by the Persian monarchs, starting from the 6th century BCE. Until the 4th century CE it was part of Caucasian Albania, and is traditionally identified with Albana, the capital. The modern name is a Persian word (دربند ''Darband'') meaning "closed gates", which came into use in the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century CE, when the city was re-established by Kavadh I of the Sassanid dynasty of Persia.

The high walls with thirty north-looking towers are believed to belong to the time of Kavadh's son, Khosrau I. The chronicler Movses Kagankatvatsi wrote about "the wondrous walls, for whose construction the Persian kings exhausted our country, recruiting architects and collecting building materials with a view of constructing a great edifice stretching between the Caucasus Mountains and the Great Eastern Sea." Derbent became a strong military outpost and harbour of the Sassanid empire. During the 5th and 6th centuries Derbent becomes also an important center for spreading the Christian faith in the Caucasus.

Movses Kagankatvatsi left a graphic description of the sack of Derbent by the hordes of Tong Yabghu of the Western Turkic Khaganate in 627. His successor, Böri Shad, proved unable to consolidate Tong Yabghu's conquests, and the city was retaken by the Persians. In 654, Derbent was captured by the Arabs, who transformed it in an important administrative center and introduced Islam to the area. Because of its strategic position on the northern branch of the Silk Route, the fortress was contested by the Khazars in the course of the Khazar-Arab Wars. The Sassanids had also brought Armenians from Syunik' to help protect the pass from invaders; as Arab rule weakened in the region at the end of the ninth century, the Armenians living there were able to establish a kingdom of their own, which lasted until the early years of the thirteenth century.

Excavations on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea, opposite to Derbent, revealed the Great Wall of Gorgan, the eastern counterpart to the wall and fortifications of Derbent. Similar Sasanian defensive fortifications there—massive forts, garrison towns, long walls— also run from the sea to the mountains.

The Caliph Harun al-Rashid spent time living in Derbent, and brought it into great repute as a seat of the arts and commerce. According to Arab historians, Derbent, with population exceeding 50,000, was the largest city of the 9th century Caucasus. In the 10th century, with the collapse of the Arab Caliphate, Derbent became the capital of an emirate. This emirate often fought losing wars with the neighboring Christian state of Sarir, allowing Sarir to occasionally manipulate Derbent politics. Despite that, the emirate outlived its rival and continued to flourish at the time of the Mongol invasion in 1239.

In the 14th century Derbent was occupied by Tamerlane's armies. In 1437, it fell under the control of the Shirvanshahs of Azerbaijan. During the 16th century Derbent was the arena for wars between Turkey and Persia ruled by the Iranian Safavid dynasty. Ottoman Empire gained control of the city following the Battle of the Torches in 1583 and Ottoman ownership was secured with the Treaty of Istanbul of 1590.

By the 1735 Ganja treaty Derbent fell within the Persian state. In 1722, during the Russo-Persian War, Peter the Great of Russia wrested the town from the Persians, but in 1736 the supremacy of Nadir Shah was again recognized. In 1747, Derbent became the capital of the khanate of the same name.

During the Persian Expedition of 1796, Derbent was stormed by Russian forces under Valerian Zubov. As a consequence of the Treaty of Gulistan of 1813—between Russian and Persia—Derbent became part of the Russian Empire.

A large portion of the walls and several watchtowers have been preserved in reasonable shape till our days. The walls, reaching to the sea, date from the 6th century, Sassanid dynasty period. The city has a well preserved citadel (Narin-kala), comprising an area of 45,000 m², enclosed by strong walls. Historical attractions include the baths, the cisterns, the old cemeteries, the caravanserai, the 18th century Khan's mausoleum, as well as several mosques. The oldest mosque is the Juma Mosque, built over a 6th century Christian basilica; it has a 15th century madrassa. Other shrines include the 17th century Kyrhlyar mosque, the Bala mosque and the 18th century Chertebe mosque.

Administrative and municipal status[link]

Derbent serves as the administrative center of Derbentsky District, although it is not administratively a part of it. Administratively, it is incorporated as the City of Derbent—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. Municipally, the City of Derbent is incorporated as Derbent Urban Okrug.

Demographics[link]

The main ethnic groups are Lezgins (32.6%), Azeris (31.7%), and Tabasarans (15%) (2002 Census).

Economy and culture[link]

The city is home to machine building, food, textile, fishing and fishery supplies, construction materials and wood industries. It is the production center of Russian brandy. The education infrastructure is fairly extensive; there is a university as well as several technical schools. On the cultural front, there is a Lezgin drama theater (named after S. Stalsky). About two kilometers from the city is the vacation colony of ''Chayka'' (Seagull).

Derbent being in practice a huge museum and with magnificent mountains and shore nearby, a great potential for development of the tourism industry exists, further increased by UNESCO's classification of the Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress as a World Heritage Site in 2003; however, instability in the region has not allowed further development.

Notable residents[link]

Abramov, Shetiel Semenovich — Hero of the Soviet Union.

Aliev, Shamsullo Feyzulla oglu — Hero of the Soviet Union.

Bakhshiev, Misha Yusupovich - Tat Soviet writer.

Eldar, Omar Hasan - sculptor, honored artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1962), People's Artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1982)

Gaidarov, Nahum Kasyanovich - Major General, a member of the Caucasian War and the campaigns in Central Asia.

Guth, Fortunat Ferdinandovich - known Siberian builder and architect.

Hasanov, Gottfried Alievich - composer, honored art worker of the Dagestan ASSR (1943), Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1960), author of the first Dagestani opera.

Henry, Alievich Hasanov ( 8 July 1910 - 28 May 1973 ) - shipbuilder, Ph.D., a specialist in the field of shipbuilding and ship design of steam boilers and steam generators, general designer of nuclear reactors, engines, marine vessels.

Izgiyaev, Sergey Davidovich (1922—1972) - The Mountain Soviet-Jewish poet, playwright and translator.

Jasmine, born Sarah Manahimova - singer, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Dagestan.

Kerimov, Suleiman Abusaidovich - businessman, owner of the company "Nafta-Moscow".

Khanmagomedov, Aydin Asadullaevich - Russian poet and innovator.

Khanmagomedov, Riad Aydynovich - chief editor of "777", pazlsportu’s champion of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, find solution and compiling crosswords, sudoku solving.

Mamedov, Shafiga Hashim oglu - Azerbaijani theater and film actress, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1974), People's Artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1982).

Mammus al-Lakzi - an expert on hadith, a historian and one of the most influential sheikhs of al-Bab abwab, the court historian Hashimites, the author chronicles of "The History of Shirvan and Derbent"

Matata, Ehiil Ruvinovich - People's Commissar of Justice of the Dagestan ASSR.

Mishiev, Yagutil Israelovich – writer, author of books about the history of Derbent, Dagestan, Russia. The distinguished Teacher of the Republic of Dagestan and the Russian Federation.

Mushailov, Mushael Hanuhovich (1941—2007) — a painter, a member of the USSR Union of Artists and Israel.

Sadikhov, Najmeddin Huseyn - Lieutenant General, Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan.

Saradzhev, Constantine Solomonovich - Soviet conductor, teacher, music leader, People's Artist of Armenian SSR (1945), Hero of Socialist Labor (1921).

Rasulbekov, Hussein Dzhumshudovich - lieutenant-general of artillery, the commander of air defense forces of the Baku Air Defense District, the Minister of Communications of Azerbaijan SSR (1975-1984).

Solomon, Albert Romanovich - Israeli football coach.

Tsvaygenbaum, Israel Iosifovich – Russian-American artist.

Yusufov, Igor Hanukovich - Minister of Energy of Russia (2001-2004).

Zeynalli, Asef Zeynalabdin oglu - Azerbaijani composer and teacher, founder of the songs in Azerbaijani music.

International relations[link]

Twin towns and sister cities[link]

Derbent is twinned with: Ganja, Azerbaijan Yakima, Washington, United States Hadera, Israel

References[link]

Notes[link]

Sources[link]

''Some text used with permission from www.travel-images.com. The original text can be found here.''

External links[link]

Derbent - Russia's oldest city: 5,000 and counting

History and attractions of Derbent

A mosque. A prison. And a mosque again. Derbent - the oldest Djuma-mosque in North Caucasus.

Category:Cities and towns in Dagestan Category:Archaeological sites in Dagestan Category:Populated places on the Caspian Sea Category:Populated coastal places in Russia Category:Forts in Russia Category:Sassanid castles Category:Caucasus Category:World Heritage Sites in Russia Category:Wine regions of Russia Category:Persian words and phrases

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name	Chris David
other names	Dark Lotus
birth date	August 19, 1981
birth place	Sacramento, California, United States
nationality	American
height
weight
weight class	Bantamweight
team	Sickness
mma kowin	4
mma subwin	5
mma decwin	4
mma subloss	1
mma decloss	9
mma draw	2
sherdog	7047
updated	}}

Chris David is an American mixed martial artist. He competes in the Bantamweight division. He won his last fight at GC 75 - Erin-Go-BRAWL against Joey Bareng on March 15, 2008. After 22 fights recorded and several others not recorded, he remains unfinished, while finishing 9 out his 13 recorded wins by KO, TKO and various submissions.

__TOC__

Mixed martial arts record[link]

|- |Win |align=center|13-10-2 | Joe Soto | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TWC 13-Impact | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:28 |Porterville, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|12-7-2 | Paul McVeigh |Decision |Eurofight Xtreme FC | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Glasgow, Scotland | |- |Win |align=center|11-7-2 | David Granados |Decision |Pure Combat: Halloween Bash | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Sacramento, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|10-7-2 | Joey Bareng |KO |GC 75: Erin-Go-BRAWL | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:17 |San Francisco, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|9-7-2 | Georgi Karakhanyan |Decision (split) |GC 74: Evolution | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|8-7-2 | Bao Quach |Decision (unanimous) |KOTC: Arch Rivals | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Nevada, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|8-6-2 | Scott Jorgensen |Decision (unanimous) |ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Barbara County, Calif. | |- |Win |align=center|8-5-2 | Walter Patterson |Decision (unanimous) |GC 63: Crackdown | |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|7-5-2 | Alejandro Perez |Submission (armbar) |MMA Xtreme 11 | |align=center|2 |align=center|0:36 |Mexico | |- |Loss |align=center|6-5-2 | Bobby Merrill |Decision (split) |CCFC: Judgment Day | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|6-4-2 | Jesse Romero |Decision |TFA 3 - Rage on the Stage | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|6-3-2 | Ian McCall |Decision |Total Combat 15 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|6-2-2 | Noah Shinable |TKO (doctor stoppage) |GC 51: Madness at the Memorial | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:20 |Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, Calif. | |- |Loss |align=center|5-2-2 | Jesse Moreng |Decision (unanimous) |TC 13 - Anarchy | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|5-1-2 | Brandon Gentry |Submission (rear naked choke) |GC 47 - Night of the Heavyweights | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:11 |California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|4-1-2 | Rick Screeton |KO |TC 12 - Total Combat 12 | |align=center|1 | |Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|3-1-2 |Daniel Vasquez |Submission (armbar) |TC 10 - Total Combat 10 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:00 |Golden Acorn Casino, San Diego, Calif. | |- | Draw |align=center|2-1-2 | Ryusuke Uemura |Draw |ZST - SWAT! 02 | |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- |Loss |align=center|2-1-1 | Ed West |Decision (unanimous) |RITC 64 - Heart & Soul | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Dodge Theater, Phoenix, AZ | |- |Win |align=center|2-0-1 | Yahir Reyes |TKO (punches) |TC 4 - Total Combat 4 | |align=center|N/A | |Mexico | |- | Draw |align=center|1-0-1 |Ronnie Major |Draw |TC 3 - Total Combat 3 | |align=center|3 | |Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|1-0 | Seth Phelps |TKO |RM 3 - Reto Maximo 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:08 |Mexico | |-

References[link]

External links[link]

Category:American mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists from California Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists Category:Living people Category:People from Sacramento, California Category:1981 births