The Republic of Azerbaijan, the cities of which will be described in the article, is a state in Transcaucasia located on the coast of the Caspian Sea. The area of the territory is 86 thousand km², and the population is about 9 million people. The capital of the state is the city of Baku.
Azerbaijan is famous for its cultural historical values and unique nature. The state has many attractions that attract tourists from all over the world to these parts. The most visited cities are Baku, Ganja, Gabala, Sheki and others. It is about them that will be discussed in this article. Having received enough information about the cities, you can safely go to relax in them or on a tour. After all, historical monuments here really amaze with their beauty and personify the spirit of the population.
Baku
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. It is the most populated city of the state. It is considered a major industrial and cultural center of Transcaucasia, as well as an important port of the Caspian Sea. The population is more than 2 million people.
Baku is one of the most ancient eastern settlements of such a country as Azerbaijan. Cities located in this territory cannot boast such a great history. The first information that a settlement is located on the Absheron Peninsula dates back to the Middle Ages. Most likely, the city arose as a transshipment point on the Great Silk Road.
For several centuries in the history of Baku there have been periods of ups and serious crises, especially during the USSR. But at present, he has experienced a period of decline, which affected the whole Republic of Azerbaijan. The city of Baku is a modern, technologically-developed international community. The list of sights of the capital is amazing: numerous museums and theaters, Muslim mosques, Orthodox and Catholic churches, palaces built in the 15th century, one of the highest television towers in Transcaucasia, the state zoo and much more.
Ganja
Ganja in terms of population takes the second place after the capital. The number of inhabitants is 1 million 200 thousand people. The settlement is located in the western part of the state, as well as some other influential centers of the country called Azerbaijan. Cities here enjoy great economic influence. Gayaja is no exception. Also, like Baku, the settlement arose in the medieval period due to the constant stream of caravans of the Great Silk Road.
Over the centuries, passed from hand to hand. It was ruled by Seljuk Turks, Mongol-Tatars, Safavid dynasty. Since 1803, the city became part of the Russian Empire. And only at the beginning of the last century it became part of the newly formed state - Azerbaijan. Each historical period left the city its inheritance. The most popular tourist routes pass through the Khan Bagy park, the Juma mosque, Chekyak-hammam, the tomb of Javadhan. No less popular and healing resort "Naftalan", located near Ganja.
Sheki
Sheki is a mountain village of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Cities are better in this country. The area of the center is 1,500 thousand km², the population is 64 thousand people. This ancient city existed in the VIII century. BC, in the foothills of the Caucasus. Until 1968, it bore another name - Nuha. The average height of the village is in the range of 500-800 m above sea level.
Around it is a forest with numerous healing springs, waterfalls and clean air. These factors fundamentally affect the climate of the city. It's always cool here. The maximum summer temperatures reach the limits of + 25 ° . Two rivers flow through the city - Gurjan and Kish. From the monuments of historical architecture it has survived: the palace of the Sheki khans, the Juma mosque, the Sheki fortress, the minaret.
Qabala
The city of Gabala in Azerbaijan is a small settlement. Located in the northern part of the country. The population is only 13 thousand people. As part of the Russian Empire, the city was called Kutkashen. The main economic development is a tourist destination. It is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, in the gorge of the cave. Along the city flows the river Damiraparanchay.
On the outskirts there are recreation areas ("Ai Ishigi", "Sahil"), which are involved in organizing camping trips in the Caucasus. Many historical monuments have been preserved in such a state as Azerbaijan. The cities of the republic are mostly attracted by this. Gabala is no exception. It preserved historical and archaeological sites dating from the X and XVIII century. Since 2009, an international music festival has been held in the city. Gabala also bears the title of the cultural capital of the CIS.