• Absheron economic-geographical region
• Khizi region

The modern Khizi region was established in 1930. The region borders on Siyazan and Guba in the North, Shamakhi in the east, Gobustan in the South and Absheron in the South - East. The eastern part o f the region that locates in Khizi plateau leads to Caspian waters by Gilazi edge. The centre o f the region situated at 104 km from Baku. Khizi settlement is the most picturesque area close to the capital. Varafta in the North, Takhtayaylag in the South and Hadash in the east are ranges that cover the region. The main mountains are Dubrar (2205 m), Kamchi (1026 m), Sharaku (958 m), Baybayim (935 m), Shikhandagh (801 m) and Boyuk Siyaku (786 m). Atachay, Jangichay, Kanda, Tughchay, Dizavarchay, Kerban and Garabulag are the main rivers o f the region. Altiagaj National Park (11,035 ha) and Rehabilitation Center of Wild Nature locates in the area.

The ethnic diversity of region consists of Azerbaijanis and Tats. There are different opinions about the etymology of the word Khizi. According to experts’ ideas the name comes from Sasani Empire. Tribes with Iran language were moved to the area in order to spread the official Zoroastrian religion to the North territories, to struggle with Christianity and to protect Northern borders from Huns, Peachiness and Caspian tribes in the early Middle Ages (III - VI centuries). This prossess was intensified with the sccond migration wave when the Shirvanshahs were defcated by the Safavids. The tribes moving lo this area were setlled in Khuzistan provincc and after a long time the name changed and transferred to the form of Khizi.

Landscapes and biodiversity. The forest dendroflora consists of as Iberian oak (Quercus iberica), East hombeam (Carpinus orientalis), Orient beech (Fagus orienialis), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), elm (Ulmus sp.), pear (Pyrus sp.), maple (Acer laetum), juniper (Juniperus sp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and privet (Ligustrum vulgare). Willowleaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia), hawtorn (Crataegus sp.), thorn (Paliurus spina-cristi), hare-apple (Cotoneaster sp.), firethorn (Pyrocantha coccinea), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), dog-rose (Rosa sp.) are typical plants of sparse-foothill forests of zone. The river edges composed of arms as ordinary pomegranate (Punica granatum), buckthorns (Rhamnus pallasii), tamariks (Tamarix sp.), sallow-thorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and boxthorn (Lycium ruthenicum). There are single black fig (Ficus carica) and rare, endemic and endangered species of Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica). The fauna of the area is rich as well. European roe (Capreolus capreolus). brown bear (Ursus artos), wild boar (Sus scrofa), a lynx (Lynx lynx), racoon (Procyon lotor), European hare (Lepus europaeus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone marten (Martes foina), wolf (Canis lupus) as mammals, a pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), Common quail (Coturnix coturnix), nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Grey partridge (Perdix perdix), Common blackbird (Turdus merula) as birds are peculiar species of territory.