Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has rich resources for the development of the tourism industry. This, first of all, is a very favorable economic and geographical position. Thus, Azerbaijan is located in the junction of two of the world civilizations,  in the middle of the Transcaucasian transport corridor and all infrastructures connecting Europe with the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia, air and sea transport, main roads and transport routes pass through here.

The Republic of Azerbaijan with 86.6 thsd. km area and a population of 9 million is a country with a unique natural and climatic features. From 11 climate types (for V.V.Keppen) of the world 8 had been determined here.

Bazardyuzy (4466 m), Shahdag (4243 m), Babadagh (3629 m) high peaks, flowing rivers from  the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus and  numerous waterfalls, clear  Goy Gol, Maral Lake, Gobustan’s hard and at the same time picturesque volcanoes, unique reserves of Lankaran, fine sandy curative beaches of Absheron and Nabran are an important integral part of Azerbaijan's rich tourism potential.

Brightness and variety of its flora charm tourists visiting here. Approximately 4500 species of higher, spore-bearing flowering plants are grouped in 125, 920 species. By the total number of species, the flora of Azerbaijan is richer than any other Caucasus countries. Plant species found in republic makes 66% of the total number of plant species growing in the Caucasus. The Eldar pine stood during the last 13 million years against climate and relief changes in all over world was preserved only in the natural environment of Azerbaijan.

Our country's animal world is very different. 97 species of mammals, 357 species of birds, 67 species of Amphibians and reptiles, 1 specie of round mouth , 97 species of fish, more than 15 thousand species of invertebrates are known in Azerbaijan. In the  "Red Book" of the Republic of Azerbaijan 108 animal species, including 14 species of mammals, 36 species of birds, 13 species of amphibious and reptiles, 5 species of fish and 40 species of insects were included. From them motley deer, gazelles, mouflon, the Caucasus mountain goat, leopard, bear, etc. are known as nature's rare pearls.

More than 1200 large and small rivers run in Azerbaijan. Many rivers flowing from the mountains create very blatant magnificent waterfalls. Lakes in Aran and mountainous areas are the adornment of Azerbaijan and most beautiful lakes in these soils are Goy Gol and Maral gol, and Deer. In rivers adjacent to the Caspian Sea and in self Sea waters long-nosed, salmon, gold fish etc are available.

The republic is also rich in mineral water with different chemical composition. According to the richness the territory of Azerbaijan is called as "museum of mineral waters". The hot and mineral springs, which are not less important than the world famous "Karlovy Vary" waters, Istisu in Kalbajar region, Badamli, Sirab, Vayhir mineral waters in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic are very famous far from the country.

Surakhani and Shykh in the Apsheron Peninsula, Galaalti in Davachi region, Turshsu in Julfa region are mineral waters with the importance of treatment. In Talysh Mountains, at the south and north-eastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus the thermal waters dominate.

Natural muds are used more than 100 years as treatment of support-movement apparatus, the nervous system and other diseases. Among them, Naftalan therapeutic oil occupies a special place.

Azerbaijan is called the sunny country, and it is not accidental. According to the number of days of sunny during the year our republic may be compared Italy, Spain and Greece. There are all kinds of primary conditions at the Caspian Sea coast, which stretches for 825 km along the territory of Azerbaijan, to turn it to the zone for recreation. The Caspian Sea is rich in endemic species of flora and fauna. Thus, differing from other fishes by its antiquity, 90 percent of the total reserves of sturgeon fishes were found in this sea.

Beautiful sandy beaches located around the Baku, Apsheron Peninsula are popular among world tourists. At the same time in the north-east coast of the republic, Yalama-Khachmaz zone beaches (220 km away from Baku) attract tourists with its broad leaf forests directly growing at the coastal strip.

The beach season in republic continues till the end of September. In summer the water temperature reaches +24 to +26 C.

One of the favorable moments for the development of all types of tourism in the republic is the sincerity of the people of Azerbaijan and traditional hospitality.

Azerbaijan is a country with rich history and ancient culture. There are more than 6 thousand historical and architectural monuments on the territory of our country. Most of them are  located on the Great Silk Road passing through the territory of Azerbaijan, along the ancient caravan routes, and it is amazing in itself. These monuments, for example, are primary human settlements in Gobustan caves (60 km west of Baku), rock paintings, ceremonial buildings, fire-worship temples of the pre-Islamic period, towers, the Albanian churches at the mountains peaks, sanctuaries, mighty castle walls and fortresses, as well as a wide caravanserais, grandiose palaces of Islamic culture, memorial ceremonies and other buildings. Memorial buildings of the Middle Ages were represented by the tombs along the route of the Silk Road. These monuments of world importance can be grouped as:

Type: Architecture

Century: XI century

Address: Top Chaykend village

Inventory Number: 5011

City: Shamkir

Type: Architecture

Century:  1910 yr

Address: Sahagaj village

Inventory Number: 4126

City: Astara city

Type: Archaeological

Century: Middle Ages

Address: near the village of Babaratma

Inventory Number: 6038

City: Baku city

Type: Architecture

Century: XIX century

Address: Qazqulu village

Inventory Number: 5184

City: Baku city

Type: Architecture

Century: XIX century 

Address: village of Aghdam

Inventory Number: 5195

City: Baku city

Type: Architecture

Century: XIV century

Address: Yazi Steppe

Inventory Number: 4706

City: Gubadly city

Type: Architecture

Century: XIX century

Address: Zeyva village

Inventory Number: 4729

City: Lachin city

Type: Architecture

Century: XVII century

Address: Ordakhal village

Inventory Number: 4767

City: Lerik city

Type: Architecture

Century: the Middle Ages

Address: Rudakanar village

Inventory Number: 4905

City: Masalli city

Type: Architecture

Century: the XVIII century

Address: Jangemiran village

Inventory Number: 4783

City: Lerik city

Type: Architecture

Century: XIV century

Address: Balakhany settlement

Inventory Number: 129

City: Baku, Sabunchu

Type: Archaeological

Century: Middle Ages

Address: the south-west of the village of Chabani

Inventory Number: 6027

City: Shamakhi city

Type: Architecture

Century: the XVIII century

Address: village of the Lower Seyfəli

Inventory Number: 5004

City: Shamkir

Type: Architecture

Century: XIX century

Address: Mastex village

Inventory Number: 5235

City: Zagatala city

Type: Architecture

Century: XV-XVI centuries

Address: village of Gulluk

Inventory Number: 4559

City: Gakh city

Type: Architecture

Century: XV century

Address: Shikhlar village

Inventory Number: 4595

City: Gobustan region

Type: Architecture

Century: XVII century

Address: Old Khudat village

Inventory Number: 4681

City: Baku city

Kanqlı Tower

Type: Archaeological

Century: Late Bronze-early Iron Age

Address: Chovdar village

Inventory Number: 938

City: Jalilabad city

Type: Archaeological

Century: Late Bronze-early Iron Age

Address: GALAKAND village

Inventory Number: 1030

City: Gadabay city

Type: Architecture

Century: X-XIV centuries

Address: Nakhchivan city

Inventory Number: 395

City: Nakhchivan city 

Type: Architecture

Century: XV-XVI centuries

Address: right bank of the Ganja river

Inventory Number: 181 *

City: Ganja city