Daghliq Shirvan economic-geographical region print

The Southern slope of Great Caucasus stretching to the East of Girdimanchay valley forms Shamakhi-Gobustan area. The thick sedimentary rock complexes of Cretaceous, Paleogen, Neocene and Neogene are spread over the Western part of the territory. The main elements of Shamakhi-Gobustan barrow are wide plateaus in the West (from Girdimanchay to Maraza) and low crests (Gurchuvan. Shamakhi, Maraza plateaus). Gizmeydan plateau (1000-1400 m) was cut by broad and terraced river valleys located in the Northern part of Shamakhi plateau. Gobustan blocks are situaied in the East of the area (Gayiblar, Shayiblav, Atyol, Boyuk Siyaki, Bayanata ctc.). The circular shaped plateaus (Kicheli, Donuzlug. Boyukdash ctc.), throughs (Jeyrankechmaz, Pirsaat, Garaibad etc.) and numerous mud volcano mountains locate in the area. Shamakhi highland expands from the Wesl of Girdiman to the East of Gijeki plateau. Meysari plateau and Sundu Gurbachi plateau in the North and Langabiz brace in the South are borders of the region. The mud volcanoes are widely spread in the area. The plains occupy large area. The foothill and middle mountain zone mainiy cover the large part of Ismayilli region, Aghsu and Shamakhi regions and the main North and Northern-West parts of Gobustan region. The high mountainous zone covers the Northern parts of Ismayilli region. The highest peak of the region is Babadagh with 3629 m height. The region is rich wilh mineral waters as Zargaran, Chagan, Galeybughurt and Chukhuryurd.

Climate and climatic resources: The typical climates o f the region are semi desert and dry steppe (Gobustan), mild warm climate with dry summers (Gurjuvan-Shamakhi-Maraza plateau), moderate warm climate with dry winters (the areas with 1000-1200 m altitudes in the North-Eastern slopes of Great Caucasus Mountains), temperate climate with equal distribution of precipitations during the year (the Northem part of Ismayilli region and North-Western part of Shamakhi) and mountain tundra climate (Babadagh peak zone over 3000 m altilude).

Water resources: The river network density of the region is significantly varied in some areas. The minimal indicalor of river density is in the South and East parts of the region. The South areas of Gobustan is the most vulnerable parts with the low density. The main rivers of the region are Girdiman, Aghsu, Pirsaat and Jeirankechmaz. The River Jeirankechmaz is mainly dry in all seasons. The origin of the river Girdimanchay starts from 3000 m altitude of Babadagh peak and flows to the shore of Kur River with 9 m height. The source of the River Aghsuchay begins from Lahij mountain system with 1750 m height. Moreover, Pirsaat River starts from 2400 m altilude in Lahij mountain system . The water of the Rivcr Pirsaat often dissapears near Alat and could not reach the Caspian Sea. Jeirankechmaz is mainly thirsty in particular seasons of the year. The water of this river very rarely flows into Caspian Sea.

Biodiversity: Steppe and semidesert vegetations are mainly spread in lowland and highland zones of the region. The semidesert vegetations have been found up to 200 m altitude in the Shirvan steppe zone (the Southern lowlands of Shamakhi and Aghsu regions). The semidesert vegetations are found along throughs and brood river valleys up 10.400-500 m heights. The upper borders of the same vegetation along crests reach 300-400 meters.
Sparse foothills and bushes have spread in barrows and foothill zones. Low mountain zone stretches as narrow belt at 500-900 m height. The forests consist of oak and oak-hornbeam forests. Iberian oak, hornbeam-oak and oak-lime forests are observed in the area. There are chestnut forests in the Ismayilli forests. Small trees and bushes with compound contain have spread widely under oak and oak nom bcam forests. Haw thom (Crataegus sp.), medlar (Mespilus germanica), dog-rose (Rosa sp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.), cornel (Cornus mas), cherry plum (Prunus divaricata), Smoke bush (Cotinus sp.) sumach (Rhus coriaria), buckthorns (Rhamnus sp.) and etc. are characteristic bush trees distributed widely in the area. Middle mountain forest zone have been spread in 1200-1400 meters allitudes as beech and beech-hornbeam forests (Ismayilli) and in the East part in 1600 meters altitude (mainly in Shamakhi). The lower borders of high mountain zone go beyond 1300-1400 m in the West and 1400-2300 m in the East. The forest forming tree species of thc zone is oak, oriental oak, trautvetter birch, birch and etc. Forest subalpine, meadow shrub, subalpine meadows with high grasses spread in the upper zone and rhododendron bushes are feasibie in the West part of the region. Subalpine and alpine meadows are located in the upper borders of high-mountain zone. Subalpine meadow zone locatуs in 1800-2500 meters height. Alpine meadows cover mountain slopуs of subalpine meadow s up to 3000 meters locating in Ismayilli and Babadagh peak o f the area. Parts of Ismayilli and Shahdagh State Reserves locate in this territory. The fauna o f the area is also very rich. More than 100 species o f insects and webs, nearly 50 species o f mammals, more than 20 species o f reptiles, nearly 10 species o f amphibians and more than 100 bird species are distributed in the region.