General Info
The Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe . Tourism history has acquired millennia-long traditions with the evidences proving their age. It would be enough to remember the Great Silk Road where not only trade but also cultural exchanges were held. But surely, interest to the country on the shores of the Caspian Sea flared in the time of the hydrocarbonic reserve search.
Azerbaijan is a territory of 9-out of 11 of the world’s climatic zones. Climate of our country enables to organize summer and winter holidays. The country is endowed with picturesque natural landscapes, monuments of culture and modern tourist resorts. The Khudat-Yalama seacoast, bordered by forests, and the seashores of Absheron and Lankaran are fine places for recreation and relaxation. In these places, there are fine sandy beaches with steady water temperatures of 22-26°C for five or more months, which provide for a long swimming season.
The most attractive areas for Alpinism and winter sports are Shamakhi and Gusar. Many types of animals and birds are objects of licensed hunting, and in the reserves they are very easy to watch and photograph. In particular, the Gizilagach reserve, where in the winter months more than one million individuals from two hundred species of birds of passage gather, is ideal for this purpose.
In Azerbaijan are a number of health resorts and spas, creating an opportunity for treatment of many illnesses yielding to natural therapies. Most of the resorts with mineral spas also function as tourist centers. Nakhchievan is especially rich in mineral sources; the only known deposit of medicinal petroleum in the world – Naftalan – is completely unique.
Baku and the Absheron peninsula; Nakhchivan, Guba-Khachmaz, Sheki-Zagatala, and Lankaran-Astara regions; and the historical areas of Shirvan and Ganjabasar are the most attractive for travelers in Azerbaijan. The lovely nature of these places, numerous ancient ruins, wonderful ethnographic variety and the astonishing skills of local craftsmen will leave an unforgettable impression of Azerbaijan upon its guests.
NATURAL MONUMENTS OF AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan will surprise you with its nature – there are high mountain ridges and plains, semi deserts and woodlands, seas and rivers. You will be delighted to see the:
– The Greater Caucasus Mountains from the north, the Lesser Caucasus Mountains from the west and south-west and Talysh Mountains from the south-east are stretching in our country. Bazarduzu, Shahdagh, Babadagh, Delidagh and Ilandagh are the highest mountains and mountain tops. The highest mountain top in our country is Bazarduzu. It is 4466 metres high.
– Valleys, as Tanga valley, Nehram valley, Yasamal valley, Girdimanchay valley
– Ancient human habitats as Azykh cave and Keshikchidagh cave
– Mud volcanoes
– Eternal flames as Yanar Dag and Ateshgah
– Lakes and Waterfalls. Azerbaijan has many lakes with beautiful view, such as Goygol, Maralgol and Batabat. Goygol, which has been formed as a result of an earthquake on the slope of Kapaz Mount, is a miracle of nature. Due to the water in the lake being very transparent, anything deep down up to 13 metres can be seen. The lake’s water is comprised of three layers: fresh water layer, transition layer and poisonous sulphur layer. The interesting thing is that these three layers do not get mixed with each other. The lake is surrounded by dense forests.
Tourists relax in resorts of the Caspian Sea; they enjoy diving, go for a drive on water skis, wave runners, boats. Those who wish to improve their shape can visit numerous well-known resorts of Azerbaijan. Owing to the unique microclimate Lankaran and Talysh are considered among the best balneotherapeutic resorts.
HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijani territory which has ancient history is rich with more than 1000 historical monuments. Numerous monuments related to the period of Albanian state have been preserved to date.
Yusif ibn Kuseir and Momina Khatun shrines in Nakhchivan, the shrine in Barda, Khudaferin bridges in Jabrail district, the Synyg Korpu in Gazakh district, the Maiden Tower – symbol of Baku, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex, fortresses in Mardakan, Nardaran and Ramany, the Pirsaatchay Khanegah (a house for dervishes), the Palace of Sheki Khans etc. are the best sample of Azerbaijani architecture.
At present, there are 24 historic/architectural, historic/archaeological, historic/cultural and historic/ethnographical reserves in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan co-operates closely with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, and Baku’s historic centre, with the Shirvanshakh Palace and the Maiden’s Tower, was included on the World Heritage List in 2000, and Cultural – Historical Reserve Gobustan in 2007. Information on two further monuments (Temple of fire-faith adepts “Ateshgah”, and the Mausoleum in Nakhchivan), which are on the preliminary list, has been sent to the Centre.
MODERN ARCHITECTURE OF BAKU
For several years Baku has been experiencing an incredible building boom. They build new hotels, office buildings, skyscrapers, modern art museums. The parks are clean and they look just perfect! Fountains, neat lawns, benches, illumination… It’s very pleasant to be there!
The building boom began after the country had won in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Driving around Baku, you see building cranes and building lumber all the time. They have three areas to work on. First of all, they reconstruct old Soviet buildings. Secondly, they preserve the ancient part of city by building new buildings in the same architectual style and limiting the entry. And finally, they build multiple modern buildings of unbelievable beauty.
We will be really happy to welcome You on our amazing country!
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