The Waterways Of Azerbaijan: A Comprehensive Overview

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and Western Asia with an expansive network of waterways. These waterways are vital for the country's economy, especially in areas where road and rail connections are disputed. Azerbaijan has direct maritime links with Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, and access to the high seas through the Volga-Don Canal. The country's only port, the Baku International Marine Trade Port, is the largest facility on the Caspian Sea.

Azerbaijan's river system includes over 8,350 rivers, with the Kura River being the longest in the Transcaucasia Region at 1,500 kilometres (940 miles). The Aras River, which flows through Armenia and Azerbaijan before joining the Kura River, is 914 kilometres (568 miles) long. The country also has numerous lakes and reservoirs, with the Mingachevir Reservoir being the largest inland body of water fully within its borders.

The Caspian Sea: Azerbaijan's largest port, Baku, is located on the Caspian Sea

Azerbaijan's largest port, Baku, is located on the Caspian Sea. Baku is the country's capital and largest city, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. It is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. Baku is also the only metropolis in Azerbaijan, with about 25% of the country's population living in its metropolitan area.

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, often described as the world's largest lake and sometimes referred to as a full-fledged sea. It is an endorheic basin, lying between Europe and Asia. The sea stretches 1,200 km (750 mi) from north to south, with an average width of 320 km (200 mi). Its gross coverage is 386,400 km2 (149,200 sq mi) and the surface is about 27 m (89 ft) below sea level. The Caspian Sea has a salinity of approximately 1.2% (12 g/L), about a third of the salinity of average seawater.

Baku is a major oil- and gas-producing region, and its port has access to the oceans along the Caspian Sea–Volga–Don Canal. The Baku International Sea Trade Port is capable of handling two million tonnes of general and dry bulk cargoes per year. The city is also a cultural hub, with many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions headquartered there. Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships, including townships on the islands of the Baku Archipelago. The Old City of Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower.

The Caspian Sea provides vital transport links for Azerbaijan, especially in regions where road and rail connections are disputed. The sea also provides access to other Caspian littoral states: Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Baku's sandy beaches offer a range of water sports and beach clubs, as well as more tranquil spots such as Bilgah, Mardakan, Pirshagi, Nardaran, and Zagulba.

Baku Metro: The country's only metro system is in Baku, with plans to open more

Azerbaijan's transport system includes air traffic, waterways, and railroads. The country's only metro system, Baku Metro, is located in its capital, Baku. The Baku Metro first opened on November 6, 1967, when Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union. The metro exhibits typical former Soviet system features, including very deep central stations and exquisite decorations that blend traditional Azerbaijani national motifs with Soviet ideology.

The Baku Metro currently has 40.7 kilometres of bidirectional tracks, made up of three lines served by 27 stations. The Red Line has 13 stations, the Green Line has 10, and the Purple Line has 4. The metro is operated by the Baku Metro Closed Joint-Stock Company, which was founded on February 27, 2014, as the legal successor to Baku Metro and Azertunelmetrotikinti Joint Stock Company.

There are plans to expand the Baku Metro significantly. In 2011, the Chief Executive of the Baku Metro, Taghi Ahmadov, announced plans to construct up to 53 new stations by 2030. Currently, eight stations and two train depots are under construction, with several expansion projects planned, two of which are already under construction. The new stations will be able to accommodate trains with up to seven cars and will feature modern platforms, lobbies, and escalators, as well as new signalling and control systems.

In addition to Baku, other cities in Azerbaijan such as Sumgayit, Nakhchivan, and Ganja also plan to develop their own subway systems in the future.

Oil and gas pipelines: Pipelines are a key mode of transport in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a long history with the oil industry, with pipelines being used in the country since the late 19th century. Baku, the capital city, is the centre of the country's oil industry and the nexus of its pipelines. The first oil pipeline was formed in the Absheron district, with a total length of over 1,500 kilometres (930 mi). 80% of this is located in the Absheron Economic Region.

The total length of the main pipeline in Azerbaijan is 4,600 kilometres (2,900 mi). The country has several important pipelines within its borders, including:

• Shirvan–Baku (former Ali-Bayramly–Baku), 130 km (81 mi)
• Shirvan–Dashgil, 40 km (25 mi)
• Dubandi-Boyukshor, 40 km (25 mi)
• Dubandi-Keshla, 40 km (25 mi)
• Dashgil-Sangachal-Keshla, 90 km (56 mi)
• Buzovna-Sabunchu, 20 km (12 mi)
• Binagadi-Keshla, 8 km (5.0 mi)

Natural gas is transported through the Garadagh–Agstafa, Garadagh–Baku, Siyazan–Baku, Neftdashlari–Baku, and Zira–Baku pipelines.

Azerbaijan has also established several export pipelines to transport its energy resources to global markets. These include:

• Baku-Novorossiysk
• Baku-Supsa
• Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
• Southern Caucasus pipeline
• TANAP (Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline)
• TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) gas pipelines

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is of particular strategic importance, ensuring the transportation of oil to global markets and protecting the national interests of Azerbaijan. It also facilitates large-scale international economic cooperation and increases oil production in the country. The pipeline has a total length of 1,768 kilometres (1,099 mi), with 443 kilometres (275 mi) in Azerbaijan, 249 kilometres (155 mi) in Georgia, and 1,076 kilometres (669 mi) in Turkey. Since 2006, 50 million tons of oil per year have been exported through this pipeline.

The Southern Caucasus Pipeline is 690 kilometres long and has the capacity to transport up to 20 billion cubic meters of gas. It follows the same route as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline until the Turkish border, where it connects to Turkey's gas distribution system.

The TANAP pipeline is another important project, with a planned capacity of 16 billion cubic meters in 2020, 23 billion cubic meters in 2023, and 31 billion cubic meters in 2026. It will transport natural gas from the eastern border to the western border of Turkey, connecting to several European Union pipelines.

The TAP project will connect TANAP to European pipelines, providing a direct way to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to European markets. It will run from the Greece-Turkey border, passing through Greece, Albania, and crossing the Adriatic Sea to Italy.

The Kura River: The longest river in the Transcaucasia Region, which flows through Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has four major river basins, two of which are international. The Kura River is the longest river in the Transcaucasia region, flowing through Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. It is also one of the largest rivers in the world that flows into the Caspian Sea. The river rises in northeastern Turkey in the Kars Upland of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains and flows west, then north, and east past Ardahan before crossing into Georgia. The total length of the Kura River system is 1,515 kilometres (941 miles), with 906 kilometres (563 miles) in Azerbaijan.

The Kura River plays a significant role in the region's history and economy. Civilisations have flourished along its banks for thousands of years, with the first agricultural activities in the Kura Valley beginning over 4,500 years ago. The river's water has been extensively used for irrigation, municipal water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. However, this has led to a decrease in water levels, with up to 20% of the river's water no longer reaching the Caspian Sea.

The Kura River is also an ecologically important region, with almost 60 species of fish inhabiting the river and its tributaries. The upper section of the river supports a diverse range of biodiversity, including loach, bleak, trout, and nase, many of which are endemic to the region. However, the lower half of the river is typically more turbid and polluted due to industrial and municipal wastewater discharge.

Discussions are currently underway on a water-sharing agreement for the Kura River, which flows through multiple countries, including Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

The Aras River: The Aras River flows through Armenia and Azerbaijan, joining the Kura River

The Aras River, also known as the Araks, Arax, Araxes, or Araz, is a significant waterway in the Caucasus region. It flows through several countries, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, and plays a crucial role in shaping the geography and history of the area.

The Aras River has a total length of 1,072 kilometres (666 miles) and rises in eastern Turkey. It forms the international boundary between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as between Turkey and Iran. Flowing along the borders of these countries, the Aras River eventually enters Azerbaijan, where it joins the Kura River. The Aras is the main tributary of the Kura, which drains the northern side of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, while the Aras drains the southern side.

The Aras River has a rich history and cultural significance. In Armenian tradition, the river is named after Arast, a great-grandson of the legendary Armenian patriarch Haik. The river was also associated with the biblical rivers Gihon and Pishon, and it has been suggested that the Aras River valley was the site of the legendary Garden of Eden. In ancient times, the Aras River was mentioned in the Aeneid by Virgil, and it played a role in the geographic and political boundaries of the region.

The Aras River provides most of the sediment that forms the Kura-Aras delta. It has several major tributaries, including the Arpa Çayı (also known as the Akhuryan), which receives water from the Kars River and Lake Çıldır in Turkey, and the Hrazdan River, which drains into Lake Sevan in Armenia. The Aras River is also an important habitat for bird life, with a bird research and education centre established in the Aras Valley in Turkey to study and protect the diverse bird species found in the area.

The Aras River is an essential source of water for agriculture, industry, and municipal uses in the region. However, it also faces challenges such as pollution from agricultural and industrial activities, and the construction of dams and reservoirs has impacted its flow and ecology. Despite these challenges, the Aras River remains a vital component of the Caucasus region's geography, history, and culture.

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