Absheron region print

Absheron district is located in Azerbaijan Republic. Precisely in the Western shore of the Caspian Sea and in the Eastern end of Greater Caucasus. Approximately the length of Absheron peninsula that border on Gobustan in the west is 60 km and the largest width is 30 km. Mostly the landscape of Absheron district is hilly plains and mountains. The surface of the area consists of large plains, hiIls and divisions and plateaus separated from each other by valleys. The Western part of Absheron is higher compared with other parts. The main peaks of the area are Bayanata (588 m), Kanizadagh (393 m), Otmanbozdagh (389 m), Karkas (383 m), Shabandagh (354 m), Ilghidagh (336 m), Govundagh (328 m), Islamdagh (315 m) and Garaislam (312 m) mountains. Seashore areas are 28 m below the sea level. The maximum height was registered in the Northern-West part in Kanizhdagh (393 m). Some mineral waters with great potential for treatment purposes are found in the territory (Surakhani, Shikh). Moreover, Neogene and Anthropogenic systems sediments are prevalent in the area and in the North-Western part of the area there are deposits of Cretaceous. Jeirankechmaz and Sumgaitchay are the main rivers of the territory.

Flora : The flora is represented with more than 800 species. The area surrounded by semi-desert landscape is very rich with nice flowers and decorative plants. There are up to 20 rare plant species in the Absheron peninsula as well. There are endemic Caucasus plant species such as Caucasian orchids (Oprys caucasica), Caspian orchids (Orchis caspica), kladohaeta (Cladoheata candidissima), sharpedge iris (lris acutiloba) and sternbergia (Sternbergiya calchisiflora). Beside this, rare plants such as rock cotoncaster (Cotoneaster saxatilis), prickly thrift (Acantholimon schamachense) and Persian ferula (Ferula persica) which are unique in the world could be found only in Azerbaijan. Baku calligonum (Calligonum bakuense, astragalus (Astragalus bakuensis), feather grass (Stipa pellita), astragalus (Astragalis igniarius) are the unique plants which could be found only in Absheron and nowhere else in the world. Trufel (Terfezia leonis) the famous decoration for vip restaurants is grow ing naturally in the semi-deserts of Absheron.

Despite the fact that the area refers to semi-desert landscape, here different species of trees and shrubs can be found. Dog-rose (Rosa canina), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera iberica), buckthorns (Rhamnus pallasii), xenophon (Anabasis sp.), Baku calligonum (Calligonum bakuense), nitraria (Nitraria schoberi), tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), atraphaxis (Atraphaxis spinosa), Wild Jasmine (Jasminum fruticans), boxthorn (Lycium ruthenicum, L.depressum) are the main shrub plants of the area. Fig tree (Ficus carica), pomegranate (Punica granatum), petty cherry (Cerassus microcarpa), a pistachio (Pistacia vera), spiny hackberry (Celtis glabrata), tanner’s sumach (Rhus coriaria), juniper (Juniperus polycarpa), long-leaves juniper (J.oblanga) are the bcst examples of natural trees of the Absheron peninsula.

Champion trees: The other rare natural monuments of Absheron peninsula are veteran trees. There are different mulberry, pislachio, olivc, fig, hackbcrry and Juniper with the age between 300 and 500. These specics indicate that formerly Absheron peninsula was covered with savanna vegetations.

Fauna: The mammal representatives of peninsula are wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), brown hare (Lepus europaeus), hedgehog (Erinoceus concolor, Hemiechinus auritus), golden hamster (Meriones libycus), jerboa (Allactaga elater) and etc. The reptiles mainly demonstrated by the tortoises, scalys and snakes. These are the Mediterranean sea turtle (Testudo graeca), the Caspian turtle (Mauremus caspica), marsh turtle (Emys orbicularis), Caucasian pangolin (Laudakia caucasia), Caspian gekkon (Cyrtopodian caspius), Schneider's skink (Eumeces schneideri), agamid lizard (Phrynocephalus heliscopus), Snake-eyed Lizard (Opbisops elegans), quick lizard (Eremias velox), non-ferrons lizard (Eremias arguta), Levant viper (Macrovipera lebetina) and etc. Amphibians were represented by the green dry frog. Insects living in the area have a rich biodiversity and the territory owns a fertile ornito-fauna as well. The rollowing unique and endangered species could be found in the area: wild cat (Felis libuca), gazelle (Gazelle subgutturosa), Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus) great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), pink pelican (Pelecanus pygmeeus), Little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), Greater FIamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), Bewick's Swan (Cygnus bewickii), steppe eagle (Aquila rapax), Imperial Eagle (Aguila heliaca), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), saker falcon (Falco cherrug), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrines), Iesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), sociable lapwing (Chettusia gregaria), black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Mediterranean turtle (Testudo graeca), agamid lizard (Phrynocephalus helioscopus), Sea perch (Lucioperca marina), Danubian bream (Abramis sapa bergi), Big-headet Beetle (Megacephala euphratica), Death’ s Head Hawkmoth (Manduca atropos), Oleander Hawk-moth (Daphnii nerii) and etc.

Geological natural monuments: Mud volcanoes floating mixture of cool, slimy masses is observed instead of hot magma. Volcanic mud is rich with microelements. Mud of the volcanoes is widely applying to medicine and cosmetology. There are more than 1100 mud volcanoes identified on the Earth and 400 of them locate in Azerbaijan. Though the mud volcanoes as Toraghay, Cuzdakbozdagh, Otmanbozdagh, Kanizadagh, Ayranlokan reminds mountains reached to 1000 m height, at the same time a portion of them resemble small lakelets (Damlamaja), lakes (Zigh) and Mars surface. Some of mud volcanoes form islands on the surface (Khara - Zira, Chigil, Garasu, Sangi - Mughan, Buming Pan, Gil etc.) and underwater ranges (Sabail, Burning Pan, Ateshgah rates etc.). During explosion associated with heavy eruptions reached to 100 meters height, the breccias with hundred m3 millions covers 100 - 200 meters hectare area. At the time of eruption of Bozdagh Guzdak rays of flame appeared in 10 km distance. The flame was so bright high that even a newspaper could be read at night 60 - 70 km away from the place. There are 44 mud volcanoes in the territory of Absheron peninsula and archipelago. The mountains of Great Caucasus ends in Absheron peninsula precisely in Yasamal Mountains, Yasamal valley. The area has extraordinary mountain range. The names of these mountains fitting with their characters are: Govundagh, llkhidagh, Aghburun, Karkas, Garagush, Deveboynu, Goturdagh and Garagishlag. Some of them were listed as state reserved monuments. More than 30 lakes are found in the territory. The unique geological monuments of the area are Yanardagh, Masazir sall lake as well as oil springs.

Paleontological natural monuments: There are 2 paleontological natural monuments in Absheron peninsula; “The Binagadi Quatemary Fauna” (180 thousand years ago) and “The Tertiary fauna o f Pirakashkul” (30 mln years ago). 43 mammals, 110 birds, 2 reptiles and 107 beetle species were collected from Binagadi asphalt lake with the purpose to study them. These are petrified remains of animals such as Binagadi rhinoceros (Rhiceras binagadensis), Binagadi wolf (Canis lupus cheranicus), Binagadi brown bear (Ursus arctos binagadensis), Binagadi deer (Cervus elaphus binagadensis), cave hyena (Hyeaena craeulaspelaea), elephant, hepard and Binagadi sayigak. “Pirakashkul fauna” is composed of unique excavation complex of petrified vertebrates of Tertiary sediments. 30 million years ago these animals lived in Maykop Sea part of the system of ancient Tetis Sea. Maykop sea approximately covered the basin of the present Aral and Mediterranean Sea. Marine mammals, reptiles, fish and birds fonn the animal component of “Pirakashkul Fauna”. Besides, the fossils of some ancient species such as: ancient whale, toothed and toothless whale, big sea tortoises and toothed birds are still found in the area.

The existing cultural evidence of the area is demonstrated by the archeological monuments of different periods, rock graphics, burial mounds, remains of dwelling places and cemeteries. Umidgaya Monument (Third millennium B.C.), Iron Age settlements, rock petrography’s of Bronze age (B.C. III-II milleniums), human and animal drawings and stone tools prove that the area was one of the first ancient human settlements and the main human activities were farming, catlle-breeding and weaving. Since the ancient times Azerbaijan has had a significant geopolitical and geostrategic importance. The area collided with the political interests of Roman, Byzantine Empires, Arab Caliphate, Ottoman and Russian Empires in different periods of history. The inscription written in latin that was found in Gobustan (Absheron) proves that at the age of the emperor Domitian Ceaser August German, XII lightening speed legion of Julian Maximum outgalIoped to this territory. (IMP DOMITIANO CAESARE AVG CERMANICO LVCIVS IVLIVS MAXIMVS LEGIONIS XII FVL).

The Gobustan inscription is the relic exposition of geopolitical situation (I-III centuries) in the world. The action was carried out with the aim to help to the union of Iberia and Caucasian Albania, particularly to strengthen the northern borders of Caucasian Albania (Great Wall of Darband) by emperor Domitian. Legion (XII Fulminata) starting from the main territory of dislocation Capadocia and Melitena and moving along the River Araz arrived in Caucasus in the year of 75. That legion belonged to Roman Empire that moved further to the east. According to another version, the senturion arrived in Caucasian Albania with concrete diplomatic mission. Because, in consonance with the mies of empire, the Roman commanders only used senturions during negotiations with the Eastern Lords.

Absheron was the center and junction of different religions as well. Furthermore, Absheron was the fundamental religious centre of Zoroastrian (Ateshgah, Pirallahi) where the sacred fire was protected by local priests (mags, mugs) in the private rooms (dakhma) and was carried out to different places. According to the sources of Christian church, 4 of 12 apostles Andrew, Mattew, Bartholomew, Judas Iscariot, Faddey and 1 of 70 apostles Faddey have come to South Caucasus in order to spread the interpretation of Gospel. 3 of the mentioned apostles spread Christianity in the present territory of Azerbaijan as well as one of them (Bartholomew-Naphanail) in the Absheron peninsula. According to apocryphal sources, the missionary prayers of Barthomolew (Acta Thomae) consisted of 11 apostles that determined the places by lot. Bartholomew was in charge of small Asia, Mesopotamia, Parthian, Albania and India. As for the legends of church, after disseminating the Gospel to India, he came to the Sunik the province of Caucasian Albania. The ancient church chronicals (St. Sophronios Cyrus) indicates about this fact: “Disciples Andrew and Simon Kananil came to Georgia. They spread Jesus religion to Imereti and Kholxida, simultaneously the apostle Bartholomew distributed it in Albania. "Sources signify martyrs of apostle Bartholomew as: "idolaters were detesting saint apostle”. Because worship to idols was loosing and destructing, with the purpose to take revenge, they got the permission from Tsar in order to annihilate the apostle. They arrested the Saint apostle and simply crucified him in Albonophol city". Saint christian books identifies this place as Baku. As stated in legends of local churches, the place where the apostle Bartholomew was martyr defined as the southern part of Maiden Tower, precisely to “Ichari Shahar”. Albonophol which composed o f priest mags was one o f the religious centers o f Albania. Relating to historical sources, on the basis o f ihe pagan temple of Arta the Albanian church was formed. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Russian Orthodox Church was built on the ruins of the Albanian temple in honor of the Saim Apostle. Later the church became the victim of atheist propagandas in 1936. The saint graves of close relatives of the founder of Islam Prophet Mohammad are located in Absheron. These are the daughters of the seventh Imam Musa Al-Kazim and sisters of eigth imam Musa-ar-Riza Hukeyma and Rahima. The legends run that Hukeyma became ill and came to this area in the ninth century with her servants and relatives to get water treatment. After death of Hokuma, companions buried her there and made village (Shikh) for dwelling. There are some ancient mosques with unique architecture in the territory of Absheron as well as in Baku.
One of 18 khanates of Azerbaijan (Baku Khanate) covered the territory of Absheron Peninsula. The feudal state was established in fortieth years of XVIII century and consisted of 39 villages. Almost 240.000 pood (1 pood = 16.38 kg) was extracted from up to 100 oil wells in Khanate. The money was minted in Baku that was the center of Khanate. The first khan of Baku was Mirza Mahammad (1747-1768).