Azerbaijan's Most Prominent Cities: A Comprehensive Overview

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, with 78 cities as of 2013. The country's largest city is Baku, which is also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. Azerbaijan's second-largest city is Ganja, which is home to many Azerbaijani refugees. Sumqayit is the third-largest city, followed by Lankaran and Mingachevir.

Baku: Azerbaijan's capital and largest city

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. It is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, on the Absheron Peninsula, and is the largest city on the sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is 28 metres (92 feet) below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world and the largest city in the world located below sea level. The city is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships, with a population of around two million people as of 2009.

Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. It is the country's sole metropolis, with about 25% of the country's population living in Baku's metropolitan area. The city is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".

Baku has a long history, with traces of human settlement in the region dating back to the Stone Age. The first historical reference to Baku dates from 885 CE, although archaeological evidence indicates a settlement there several centuries before Christ. By the 11th century CE, Baku was in the possession of the Shīrvān-Shāhs, who made it their capital in the 12th century. In 1723, Peter I (the Great) captured Baku, but it was returned to Persia in 1735. Russia finally captured Baku in 1806, and in 1920, it became the capital of the Azerbaijan republic.

The core of present-day Baku is the old town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, including the 27-metre tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden's Tower, 12th century). The old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings, including the Palace of the Shīrvān-Shāhs (now a museum), the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79), the law court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. The walled city, along with the Palace of the Shīrvān-Shāhs and Maiden's Tower, were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Baku's economy is based primarily on petroleum. The presence of oil has been known since antiquity, and by the 15th century, oil for lamps was obtained from surface wells. Modern commercial exploitation began in 1872, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the Baku oil field was the largest in the world. Today, much of the easily extractable oil has been exhausted, and drilling has extended into the sea bed.

Baku is also a major cultural and educational centre, home to several universities, museums, and theatres. It is a popular tourist destination, offering many entertainment spots, such as the downtown Fountains Square, the One and Thousand Nights Beach, and Shikhov Beach. Baku has a dynamic and developing urban landscape, with sustainability becoming a key factor in future planning.

Ganja: home to Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, with 78 cities as of 2013. Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, with Ganja being the second-largest city. Ganja is home to a large number of Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia and the areas surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. The number of refugees in the city was estimated to be 33,000 in 2011.

Ganja has a rich history and has been inhabited by various civilisations throughout its existence. The city's name is derived from the Persian word "ganj", meaning "treasure" or "treasury". It was previously called Kirovabad during the Soviet era and Yelizavetpol when it was part of the Russian Empire. Ganja was also the capital of the Ganja Khanate until 1804 and played a significant role in the Armenian-Tatar massacres of 1905-07.

In November 1988, the Kirovabad pogrom forced the local Armenian population to leave the city. This event was marked by ethnic violence and clashes between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, resulting in the expulsion and flight of Armenians from the region. The conflict in 1988 led to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Azerbaijanis, including those from Armenia and the surrounding regions. Ganja's economy is based on agriculture and tourism, with metallurgical industries extracting and producing copper and alumina. The city also has a well-developed textile industry, with its silk being famous in neighbouring countries and the Middle East.

Ganja is a historic and cultural centre, boasting many landmarks and attractions. The city's urban landscape is influenced by the various peoples and empires that have ruled it, including the Persians, Turks, and Russians. The Bottle House, the Nizami Mausoleum, and the Shah Abbas Caravanserai are some of the famous tourist destinations in the city. Ganja was selected as the European Youth Capital in 2016, and it continues to be a significant city in Azerbaijan, contributing to its cultural and economic growth.

Sumqayit: second-biggest industrial centre

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, with 78 cities as of 2013. Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated 28 to 92 feet below sea level. It is also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region, as well as the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of the country.

Sumqayit, or Sumgait, is the third-biggest city in Azerbaijan, after Baku and Ganja. It is located close to the Caspian Sea, 31 km from Baku, and was established on 22 November 1949. Sumqayit is a relatively new city, encompassing an area of 83 square km.

Sumqayit is the second-biggest industrial centre in Azerbaijan, after Baku. The city supports several heavy industries, including metallurgical and chemical plants. These industries play a significant role in the country's economy, alongside the exploitation of oil, of which Azerbaijan was once the world's leading producer.

The development of Sumqayit's industries aligns with the country's accelerating modernisation, characterised by industrialisation and the development of power resources. This has led to a growing urban population, with more than half of Azerbaijan's inhabitants now living in cities. Sumqayit's population, as of 2018, was 341,200, contributing to the city's significance as a major industrial hub in the country.

Lankaran: a city with sandy beaches

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, with 78 cities as of 2013. Baku is the capital and largest city, with other major cities including Sumqayit and Ganja.

Lankaran is a city in the south of Azerbaijan, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, and is the country's sixth-largest city. It is located near the border with Iran and has a population of around 89,300 people, predominantly made up of the Talysh people. The city is known for its beautiful black-sand beaches, with calm waters ideal for bathing. The sand is chemically equivalent to basalt, and is believed to have therapeutic properties. The beaches are segregated, with different sections for men, women, and families.

The Lankaran region boasts 120 miles of coastline and is famed for its black-sand beaches, deciduous forests, and delicious cuisine. The city has several beaches, both north and south, with clear waters and golden sunsets. The local cuisine is influenced by its multicultural history, with dishes such as lavangi (fish, chicken, or eggplant stuffed with walnuts, onions, and plum paste), Lankaran kulcha, marji plov, and turshu-kebab.

Lankaran is rich in history, with exhibits spanning from the Bronze Age to World War II. The Lankaran Regional Museum of History and Ethnography is a notable attraction, housed in the former home of Mir Akhmad Khan, a descendant of the last ruler of the Lankaran Khanate. The museum displays furnishings, clothing, carpets, and paintings from the region's past. The city also offers a range of outdoor experiences, such as the Hirkan National Park, which covers the slopes of the Talysh mountain range and is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including leopards, lynxes, and brown bears.

Lankaran is also known for its hot springs, nature reserves, and the majestic Talysh Mountains. The Andjin mineral springs, located west of the city, offer thermal sulphide, chloride, and sodium-calcium waters with therapeutic benefits. The area is ecologically important, with over 250 types of plants, 220 avian species, and 20 fish species. The Hirkan National Park is particularly renowned for its Persian leopards and rare harvestman species.

Mingachevir: the city of lights

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, with 78 cities as of 2013. Baku is the capital and largest city, with other major cities including Xırdalan, Ganja, Sumqayit, and Lankaran.

Mingachevir is the fifth-biggest city in Azerbaijan, with a population of about 104,500 to 106,000. It is often referred to as the "City of Lights" due to the Mingachevir Dam and Hydroelectric Power Station on the Kur River, which runs through the middle of the city. The construction of the dam and power station began in 1945, with the first hydro aggregate becoming operational in 1953. The power station is the largest in the South Caucasus and has significantly contributed to the city's development.

The history of human habitation in the area dates back thousands of years, with archaeological digs unearthing ancient settlements, burials, and artefacts from various periods. The settlement that would become modern-day Mingachevir began in the third millennium BC during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The earliest known culture from this era is the Kura-Araxes culture, known for farming and livestock-raising.

The city boasts a rich cultural scene, with two theatres, several cinemas, exhibition venues, and over ten parks. The Mingachevir Reservoir, created by the dam, is a popular spot for locals and tourists, offering opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. The city's archaeological sites and museums, such as the Mingachevir Archaeological Complex and the Mingachevir Historical Museum, attract visitors interested in exploring the area's ancient history.

Mingachevir has been developing rapidly since its establishment in 1946 or 1948, becoming one of the most important cities in the country in terms of energy, industry, science, education, and culture. The city is located in central Azerbaijan, 280-300km west of Baku, the capital, and enjoys a mild and warm climate with dry summers and mild winters.

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