AZERBAIJAN

Official name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Capital Baku (Baki)
Population: 7,868,385

Languages Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Time GMT+4
Independence 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)
Currency Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Temp Summer Temp: 22º C / 27º C
Winter Temp: 0º C /5º C
Ethnic groups Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region
Religions Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)
note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Location:
South-western Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Total Area: 86,600 sq km
land: 86,100 sq km
water: 500 sq km
note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991
Land boundaries: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km est.)
Climate:
dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain:
large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest : Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina
Natural hazards:
droughts

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

A country of Transcaucasia north of Iran. The region was settled by the Medes before the forth century B.C. and was a separate kingdom after the death of Alexander the Great. Ceded to Russia by Persia in 1813 and 1828, the territory was a constituent republic of the USSR from 1936 to 1991 (It joined the USSR Dec. 30, 1922). Azerbaijan declared independence Aug. 30, 1991, and became an independent state when the Soviet Union disbanded Dec. 26, 1991. (See Azerbaijan Chronology)
The map of the Azerbaijan is shaped somewhat like an eagle in flight with capital (Baku city) for its head. Since the earliest times, this area has been known as "the land of flames".
Industry, Agriculture
Based on rich reserves of oil and natural gas, Azerbaijan was one of the first petroleum-producing regions of the world. In addition the country has a well-developed agricultural base (with cotton as the main cash crop), a large industrial sector, and an extensive transportation network. The economic downturn during the past 5 years affected all these sectors, with the highest declines occurring in industry. The industrial sector in Azerbaijan has been characterised by a strong dichotomy between energy and non-energy related activities, largely associated with a distorted price structure which has favoured energy products. Agriculture remains a key sector in the economy, generating about 30"/o of GDP for 1995 was about USD 1,8 billion.
Trade System (Import and Export)
Azerbaijan's primary export products are diesel fuel and other oil products, cotton, oil drilling equipment and light manufactures. Licensing requirements have been removed for non-strategic exports. Export contracts have to be submitted to and approved by the Ministry of the Foreign Economic Relations as a control on export under invoicing. Export taxes were imposed in March'95 on strategic goods whose domestic prices remained significantly below world levels, notably oil products and cotton. Unless special permission is issued by the Cabinet of Ministers, exporters must present evidence of prepayment or coverage by an authorised letter of credit before the Customs will clear goods for export. There are no license requirements for imports apart from a few commodities which are controlled for health, environmental or security reasons. Low import duties are assessed which vary by product but not by country of origin

Passports, Visas
Entrance visas for Azerbaijan are granted to foreign citizens in accordance with established procedures. All visitors to Azerbaijan are recommended to obtain a visa prior to their arrival. Passports without visas are retained by the immigration authorities at the airport. Visitors then must to apply to the Consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the working days to retrieve their passport with obtained visa.

Getting There
Travellers from Europe have the best air access to Azerbaijan. There are flights between Baku and Frankfurt, Kiev, London, Amsterdam, Moscow, St Petersburg and Zurich several times a week. Most other flights serve cities in Russia and the Middle East, usually once a week. There's no departure tax.

The train between Baku and Tibilisi, Georgia, is inexpensive, but it takes about 20 hours and the occasional bandit raid and frequent burglaries make it less than completely safe. Expect to pay the price of your ticket again at the border as a bribe. The bus takes about half the time to get from Tibilisi to Baku; the fare is about the same, and you may or may not have to bribe the border guards. There are several buses a day running between Baku and Derbent, Russia, though the train is far more reliable.

The two border crossings between Azerbaijan and Iran that foreigners can use are between Jolfa, Iran, which will put you in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, and Julfa, Azerbaijan; and between Astara, Iran, and Astara, Azerbaijan, which is near the Caspian coast and much closer to Baku. A bus runs between Tehran and Baku (via Astara) daily; taking the bus is probably better than driving over because of the uncertainties of travelling independently in rural Azerbaijan. However, the delays at the border are inordinate, and you may want to cross over on foot and pick up public transport. Currently, there's no way to cross the border by train between Iran and Azerbaijan.

By sea, you can catch one of the freighters running between Baku and Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, though the schedule depends totally on what's to be taken and when it can be loaded. On average, there are three sailings a week, but the exact date and time of departure are rarely known until shortly beforehand. Each boat takes 300 passengers on the 12 hour voyage.

There no longer any ferries sailing between Baku and Iran,in fact any travel from Azerbaijan to Iran has become extremely difficult

ART AND CULTURE
Monuments of architecture and art of Azerbaijan reflect the history of the country located on the junction of world trade ways linking up East and West.
Rock paintings in Gobustan depicting scenes of work, everyday life, rituals go back to the 7-8 millenniums B.C. Remains of pre-historic housing, materials of excavations and burials are indicative of rich artistic culture of Eneolithic and early Bronze epochs. Foothills of Minor Caucasus, Nakhchivan, primarily northern regions of Azerbaijan are represented by metal, plastic, ceramic and glass articles . and vessels. Remains of Kabala, fortress Chirag-Gala(6 century), as well as cult structures, including Basilica temple in the village of Kum and round temple (5-6 centuries, lime-stone and burnt brick), survived to our days.
The Arab conquest of the 7 century and spreading of Islam accounted for the emergence of new types of structures (mosques, minarets, madrasa, mausoleums), also, lack of pictures of men and animals predetermined the development of ornamental forms of decorative art.
Artistic traditions of Azerbaijan received a new impetus for their development in the 14-16 centuries. At this period, big states emerged, towns grew, stone architecture developed. Note that the stone architecture was noted for its designs, tectonic substantiation, filigree carving, ceramic decor, etc. A complex of palace structures enriched the residence of Shirvanshahs (Baku), sky-blue domes of Blue Mosque (1465) adorned Tabriz with its splendid decor. Viability of local architectural traditions manifested itself in the forms, design and attire of tower mausoleums in Barda, Garabahlar, Khachin-Dorbadly, castle in the village of Ramany, rock tomb in the village of Maraza.
The Tabriz school (commencing from the 13 century) had a great influence on the development of miniature painting, calligraphy, design of manuscripts. The works of Tabriz miniaturists of the 15-16centuries are notable for perfection of the design, sophisticated drawing, nuances of colored palette. Architectural building traditions are maintained in folk architecture, account for specificity of planning, originality of buildings. Wall paintings, primarily vegetation motifs, sometimes pictures of birds, animals, men, first appeared in the houses of rich citizens in the 18 century. Folk art is represented by noble and refined copper utensils, highly decorated weapons from the village of Lagich, compositionally diversified carpets from Guba-Shirvan, Gyandja-Gazakh, Karabakh and Tabriz areas, embroidery from Shaki and so forth

MUSIC
It is astonishing that rock drawings report on the earliest stages of the development of musical art on the territory of Azerbaijan in the 5-3 millenniums B.C. There is a peculiar percussion musical instrument of the Stone Age - "gaval-dash" (stone-tambourine) in Gobustan. Musical instruments which came as a result of excavations, as well as ancient folk legends narrate about the musical culture of the past epoch.
Throughout centuries, the Azerbaijani music dominated in the folk art. Classic melodies with refined fret and intonation structure, vocal and instrumental form, polyphony were nursed in the entrails of the Azerbaijani music. Handicraftsmen created musical instruments - forefathers of modern tar, saz, canon, kamancha, tutek, balaman or bala-ban, zurna, nagara, gosha-nagara, daf, tambourine, etc.
An independent area of the Azerbaijan musical folklore is a dancing music distinguished by its diversity and relief of rhythmic figures.
Note that it was the development of urban culture that gave impetus to the emergence of mugams in the Middle Ages - these vocal and instrumental plays with contrast combination of improvisation and recitative sections and strict, well-rounded song and dancing melodies (tesnif - song in mugam, reng - instrumental episode).
In the early 20 century, great Uzeir Hadjibekov laid the foundations of modern musical culture. His opera "Leyli and Majnun" by Fuzuli's poem was based on folk tunes and thus gave impetus to the development of mugam opera. The same is true of other works by U.Hadjibekov ("Asli and Karim", 1912), M.Magomayev ("Shah Ismail", staged in 1919), Z.Hadjibekov ("Ashyg Garib", staged in 1916)

DANCE AND BALLET
The history of Azerbaijani folk dance goes back to the ancient times. Ritual and hunting dances were the first steps on this track. And again, rock drawings of Gobustan tell us about them, especially, the so called "Hunting Scene", "Silhouettes of Dancing People" resembling the ancient round dance "Yally". Ritual dances survived from the time immemorial. It should be noted that dancing ensembles, famous for their skills, performed at the palaces of nobility.
Professional dancing art is related to the development of national opera and operetta with their traditional choreographic turns. In1940, Afrasiab Badalbayli staged the first national ballet "Maiden's Tower", in 1950, Soltan Hadjibekov staged "Gulshan", in 1952 and 1960,Gara Garayev staged "Seven Beauties" and "Thunder Path" respectively.Azerbaijan national art of dancing with its special figurativeness, picturesque and colourfulness has become well-known beyond the bounds of our republic within the last decade. State Ensemble of Dancing - one of the highly skilled choreographic groups in Azerbaijan, which has been generally recognized by spectators, is a striking propagandist of Azerbaijan choreography.

DRAMATIC THEATER
Theatralized scenes were typical for folk holidays and dancing. Components of theatricality were present in calendar holidays -"Novruz" (coming of spring), etc.
Creative work of ashugs was also theatralized; the same was true of collective men's dancing "Yally", performance of rope-walkers, conjurers, dervishes, etc. The Azerbaijani folk theater "Oyun Tamasha" enjoyed great popularity among people. Audience of puppet theater "Kilim Arasy" (beyond the carpet) was also great. Actors made fun of ugly rituals, exposed social inequality and unfair. The Azerbaijani religious mysterial theater was widely spread in the Middle Ages and later as well.
In the end of the 19 century, the plays in Azeri were staged in Gyandja, Shusha, Nakhchivan. The repertoire included plays written both by local and foreign playwrights.
The 20 century was notable for marked development of theatrical art. The Russian dramatic theater was founded in Baku, 1923; theaters of young spectators and puppets; the theater of Azerbaijan drama named after Jafar Jabbarly in Gyandja; musical dramatic theater named after Mamedkulizadeh in Nakhchivan...

CINEMA
The first feature Azerbaijani film "In the Kingdom of Oil and Millions" by I.Musabekov with the participation of prominent actor H.Arablinsky was staged in 1916. In 1923, the Azerbaijan photo-cinema department was established.
The Azerbaijani films are noted by their national color, oriental profundity, completion of topics.
"On Far Seashore" (producer T.Tagizadeh, 1959), "If Not This, Then That" (producer H.Seidzadeh, 1959), "Arshin Mal Alan" (pro-
ducer T.Tagizadeh, 1966), "Interrogation" (producer R.Odjagov, 1972), "Nizami" (producer E.Guliyev, 1982), "Seven Days After Murder" (producer R.Odjagov, 1990), "Murder At Night Town" (producer A.Makhmudov, 1990) are among the best films of the Orient.
Works of Azerbaijani cinematographers have repeatedly been awarded, announced winners of competitions and festivals.
Success of the Azerbaijani cinema is due to the names of remarkable actors Fakhraddin Manafov, Rasim Balayev, Hamida Omarova, Amalia Panakhova, Shafiga Mamedova.

Historical background
Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient cradles of global civilization. Its historic boundaries encompassed the eastern part of the South Caucasus and the northwestern regions of Iran. The surveys of the Guruchay archaeological culture, which was doubtless the most ancient in the whole expanse of the former Soviet Union territory and is analogous to the Olduwai culture in Africa, confirm that the territory of Azerbaijan was within the zone where the humanity emerged. In the Azikh cavern located on the left bank of River Guruchay the fragment of the jaw of the ancient human being - azikhantropos - was found; that population inhabited the locality 350-400 thousand years ago. Tribal associations were forming in the territory of Azerbaijan and attempted to establish political unions in the 23d century.
The written witness and a vast archaeological material basis show that the territorial division, one of the primary signs of statehood, replaced tribalism in Azerbaijan beginning from the end of the I millennium. According to the ancient texts of that era, several 'principalities' were joined in order to withstand the external aggression together. Archaeological research conducted to date indicates the very early formation of states in the South of Azerbaijan, in the cis-Urmian zone. Those were the states that laid the foundation of the first major political formation that was known as the Manna Kingdom. According to the historical sources, the territory of Manna was roughly the same as that of the later Mydia and Atropatena (that is to say, the territory of the modern Southern Azerbaijan). Manna's submission to the Mada state (Mydia) at the end of the VII to the beginning of the VI centuries extinguished local statehood in Azerbaijan for a number of centuries. It was only in the 30s of IV century after the Macedonian troops had defeated the state of Mada that a new-stage of Azeri statehood development began in the region.
Atropatena that arose at the historical scene two centuries and a half after the fall of Manna (otherwise called Atrapatakan. Aderbadagan, and hence the derivation 'Azerbaijan') was the first Oriental state ever to become politically independent from the Greek-Macedonian conquerors. The Researchers think that there was an independent monarchic system in the territory of Atropatena like in other countries of that age; later, however, the ever increasing influence and power of the Mydian Magi converted that state into a theocratic formation.
Various studies witness that Albania located in the northern lands of Azerbaijan, also had statehood organisation in the Hellenic period. The earliest coins minted locally that are discovered in the former territories of both Albania and Atropatena date back to the first half of III century In the feudal era, unlike the territory of Atropatena that had come to be one of the provinces of the Sasanis Empire, Albania managed to preserve relative sovereignty up till the Arabian conquest.
In the second half of IX century AD the internal friction in the Arabian Khalifat provided an important factor pre-conditioning appearance of new feudal formations in the historic territories of Azerbaijan. Among them stand out the State of the Shirvanshahs, the rulers of which fought for independence by themselves for ten centuries and were only suppressed by the Sefevi State in 1538. That newly-formed state's structure followed the established tradition of local Turkic states of the Garagoyunlu and Aggoyunlu (the formations of the XV century).
In the middle of the XVII century the process of emergence of independent states commenced in the territory of Azerbaijan. Those were the khanats of Baku, Sheki, Nakhchivan, Garabag, Ganja, Shamaha, Guba, Urmiya, Irevan, Tabriz, Maraga and etc. As Russia conquered the northern territories of Azerbaijan in the beginning of the XIX century, the Azeri khanats lost their independence. Pursuant to the Turkmenchay Treaty of 1828 between Russia and Iran the territories of the southern khanats transfered to Iran. Thus the nation was separated.
Since the Tsarist regime was overthrown in 1917, the political situation in Azerbaijan was changing. The independence of the Northern Azerbaijan was restored after the more than a century-long intermission on 28 May 1918, and that was the emergence of the first ever Muslim republic. The Republic of Azerbaijan existed only for 23 months. Ignoring the state sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the Soviet Russia sent down the XI Red Army corps to Azerbaijan in late April 1920. The Soviet power was declared in Azerbaijan on 28 April 1920. Despite the formal political independence, Azerbaijan had became a part of the Soviet Empire ruled by the Communist Party. Internal decay and collapse of the Soviet regime began in the 80s, and the presidential post was instituted at the historic session of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan on 18 May 1990.
At the session of the Supreme Council of the Republic on 5 February 1991 the country was renamed as the Azerbaijan Republic; the three-coloured flag and the state emblem of 1918-1920 were restored as the official symbols of the State. It was resolved that the orders and medals of Azerbaijan would be introduced and the national currency printed and minted. The Azerbaijan Republic is party to the European Union for security and co-operation and the United Nations Organization. Despite the fact that the independent state is passing through the most difficult period of its history, it is in a position to revive its economy and develop the national culture. There is the powerful patriotic potential and the ancient and rich history of statehood which have supported this drive to development.

BAKU
The city is situated in the south-western part of the Absheron peninsula. Its main houses and administrative buildings are located in an amphitheatre manner along the picturesque bay of the Caspian Sea. The climate is dry, subtropical of the Mediterranean type. Scientists date the first settlements back to the 2nd millennium B.C. The first mentioning of Baku as a city was found in Arab manuscripts of the 8th century A.D.
Up to the 19th century Baku existed within the Fortress walls (22 hectares). Icheri Sheher, which is how the Baku Fortress is currently called, is reserved in its lay-out and is really a museum in the open air, a treasury of Medieval architecture, containing more than 200 monuments with the Ensemble of Shirvanshahs' Palace (XY c.), the unique Maiden Tower (XII c.), Mohammed Ibn Abubekir Mosque (1078), other mosques, Caravanserais and houses of XIY-XIX c.c. Since the end of the XIX c., Baku has * been turned into a big industrial center with oil production and oil refining. A new image of Baku has been formed. Around the old Fortress you may see many-storied buildings, fashionable mansions in different architectural styles: Moresque, Gothic, Baroque, Classic, Modern and others. Significant changes of the architectural appearance have taken place during the succeeding years. Today Baku is political, economic, scientific and cultural center of Azerbaijan. Unique cultural treasures are stored and exhibited in Baku museums. Azerbaijan Academy of Science unites various scientific research institutes, dealing with the wide range of problems of different sciences. In the suburbs of Baku, in old settlements, there are many monuments of medieval architecture: watch towers, mosques, baths, and civil constructions. The places, which attract particularly numerous numbers of tourists, are the dwellings of ancient people with a rich collection of rock paintings, dated back to the Paleolithic-neolith (Gobustan historic and art reserve) and the Ateshgah Temple of Fire Worshippers (Surakhani settlement).
The Absheron peninsula has sandy beaches, summer cottage settlements and rest houses for adults and children.

CITY FORTRESS
Walking along narrow curved streets of the oldest part of Baku called "Icheri Sheher" - a medieval city surrounded by a high and impressive wall (XII c.) – is the unique architectural and historical monuments: Maiden Tower (due to its inimitable shape and beautiful legends it is considered as the symbol of Baku); the Palace of Shirvanshahs (XV c.) with the Divankhane building, Eastern Gates, Palace mosque, tomb of the Shirvanshakhs; Caravanserai.

GOBUSTAN
It is a volcanic desert of south-west of Baku along the Caspian shore. Here you will see rock drawings made by ancient people who used to live there in caves more than ten thousand years ago. Thor Heyerdal, the traveller and scientist from Norway, visited Azerbaijan twice only to see Gobustan.
Gobustan is famous for its archaeological monuments. Till now the scientists have studied about 20 primitive men stands and more than 30 barrows.
There is a museum-preserve in Gobustan (70 km from Baku) You can visit the center of ancient civilization, one of the first on Earth.

GUBA
This town is situated 170 kilometers to the North from Baku in the north-eastern part of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain (with Shahdag mountain as the highest peak of 4243 meters), at the bank of the Kudyal-Chay river. Along the road, which lies between mountains and sea, you will admire beautiful landscapes and historical monuments.
Historically Guba has been known since the XYIII century as the center of Khanate (traditional Azery duchy). Guba Khanate had played a remarkable role in the unification of various separated kingdoms of the Northern Azerbaijan. Guba offers a taste of Azerbaijanian traditional way of life with typical houses, twisting streets, arts and crafts. You will see the oriental bathes, trace of Zoroastrizm - Fire-worshippers' Temple (IX c.), moslem monuments - Djuma Mosque (XIX c.), octagonal mausoleum (XVI c.), Tengialty Castle, Sakina-khanum Mosque (XIX c.).
The Museum of History named after Abbasgulu Bakikhanov (the great Azeri thinker) is an another place of interest of Guba. Guba District is one of the basic horticultural regions of Azerbaijan known for its fragrant gardens, surrounded by picturesque mountains covered by virgin forests, alpine meadows, bountiful rivers and springs. Indubitable sights of the place are springs of rare beauty -Balbulag, Gyzbanovshy-, and Pirbanovsha Cave, which is considered the sanctuary by local residents.
Experience a picnic in a picturesque place with a traditional Azerbajanian dish - kebab - cooked on an open fire. An ancient fire-worshippers' temple dating from the IX c. A.D. is preserved in Khanalig village, one of the suburbs of Guba. A very unique ethnic group of 1000 inhabitants who have preserved their original language, customs and traditions is one of the most interesting components of the vivid and colorful image of Guba District.

Ganja
One of the most ancient towns of Azerbaijan (founded in IV century B.C.) is the second important city in the Republic.
Here were born Nizami Ganjevi, the great poet and philosopher of Mideval Orient, Mehseti Khanum (XII c.) the first woman-poet of Azerbaijan.
There are many ancient historical monuments: mosque of Albanians, Ganja Gates (X-XI c.), Palace "Dar-us-Soltan" (XII c.), towers, medrese, bath-house, caravanserai, Imam-zade Complex (XVI c.), Djuma Mosque (1606).
To the south of Ganja between the emerald alpine forests is hidden the azure lake Goygol (Blue Lake). On slope of mountains surrounding the lake there are unique creations of nature: "Stone circus", "Chingil", mystical caves and grottos.

LENKORAN
Lenkoran is the biggest town in the south-eastern part of Azerbaijan (300 kilometers from Baku) located at the coast of the Caspian Sea. Previously Lenkoran for several centuries was the center of another Azeri duchy (Talish Khanate). Some constructions of the 18-19th centuries are still reminding that period.
Subtropical climate of Lenkoran zone together with the fertile soils made it possible to cultivate the various citrus plants, tea, rice and numerous vegetables and wild animals there. Due to unique climatic conditions Lenkoran is widely known for its National Parks. One of them, like "Gizilagach", includes more than 250 kinds of plants, 30 rare species of fish and more than 220 various kinds of birds. "Gircan" National Park of Lenkoran is famous for relict trees, such as Demir-agach ("the iron tree"), Samshit ("box-tree"), etc.
The Lenkoran has preserved many architectural monuments. Tea Palace with tea tasting, Chaikhana, orient sweets and spices. In western part of Lenkoran region, high in the mountains is Lerik, the land remarkable for its long-livers. Here were born and lived 150 and 163 years Makhmud Baba Eyvazov and Shirali Baba Mouslimov. Nowadays here live 29 long livers crossed a century barrier but still young and active.

SHAMAKHI
The ancient town Shamakhi is situated at 800 m. over the sea level height on the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus. Founded in the 6th century A.D., the city became the capital of the rulers of the influential and powerful principality of Shirvan. Despite the numerous earthquakes - one of the most dramatic took place in Pirguli in 1902, many important historical monuments has remained intact, such as the Juma ("Friday") - mosque which dates from the 10th century, the Yeddi Gumbez ("Seven Domes") the mausoleum built in 1402, and the ruins of the fortress of Gulistan which goes back to the 11th and the 12th century. For a long time, Shamakhi was one of the most important stop-overs on the Silk Road. It was also been the birthplace of a considerable number of Azeri poets, philosophers, architects and scientists such as: Khagani (12th century), Nasimi (14th century) and Sabir (1862-1911) and etc.
You will hear about this ancient Azerbaijanian town if you will visit the astrological observatory Pirkuly and carpet manufacturing factory. Not far from Shamakhi there are the ruins of the ancient town Shehergah and the sepulchre Shergah (Place of Evil Spirits). Lunch is inclusive.
The natural environment of the Shamakhi district is rich of forests and meadows and has a mild and pleasant climate. Its population is mainly employed in the wine industry - both domestic and industrial, cattle breeding, diary fruit and vegetable growing, processing and rug weaving. The most important agricultural and agro-industrial center of the region is the town Ismayilli, whereas the main centre for arts such as copper, leather and carpentry is the village Lahij which is situated up in the mountains

SHEKI
One of the most ancient settlements and cultural centers of Azerbaijan, Sheki was founded more than 2700 years ago at the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain (370 kilometers to the north-west from Baku). During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries. Magnificent Royal Palace of Sheki Khans (Kings) constructed in 1762 without a single nail is one of the most marvellous monuments of its epoch which the Shekians are particularly proud of. For many centuries Sheki has been famous as the basic center of silkworm-breeding. Tobacco, fruit, vegetables and corn have a long history of cultivation here, as well as the stock-raising. Markhal health resort of Sheki is known as one of the most picturesque parts of these places. Historical Museum, the House of Craftsmen famous as the center of skillful masters, medieval Caravanserai, which was perfectly restored as a hotel several years ago are just a small part of places of interest which the visitors will enjoy while being in Sheki. The manufactures of the Shekian jewellers, potters, engravers, pastry-cooks have been famous not only in Azerbaijan but far abroad as well.