Julfa region print

Julfa region was organized in 1950.
Relief. The Side part of Zangazur chain extends along Northern borders of the region. The chain is shrinking to the Araz River and turns to Arazboyu plains.
Geological structure. Cretaceous and Neocene sediments have spread across the territory.
Rivers ami water basins. The rivers of the region concern Araz basin with main rivers as Alinja and Garadara. Alinjachay River starts from the merge of Khaznadara and Lakatsu rivers which originate from the lake join in the Southern slopes of Damirlidagh peak (3364 m) of Zangazur chain. The source of the river is on 2800 meters height. The river has 7 tributtaries.

Landscapes and biodiversity. The soil of the region is mountain meadow, brown mountain forest, mountain brown, gray, gray meadow and alluvial meadow types.
The climate of the region is mostly cold climate with dry summers. Dry warm, semi desert with cold winter and desert steppe climates arc prevalent in Arazboyu areas.
The vegetation of Arazboyu lowland and low mountainous areas are desert and semi desert and mountain xerophytes, mountain steppe, shrubbery and sparse forest plants in middle mountainous areas and meadow steppe, forest, water marsh, petrofil (rock-reef), subalpine and alpine meadow plants in high mountainous zone. Broad leaved forests (oak. ash, hornbeam) and coniferous arid forests (Juniper) are feasible in the territory. The flora of the area is represented with juniper (Juniperus foetidissima), ephedra (Ephedra aurantiaca), reticulated iris (Iris reticulata), muslim iris (Iris musulmanica), iris (Iris lycotis), allium (Nectaroscordum tripedale), annual horned poppy (Glaucium elegans), itsegcks (Anabasis brachiata, A.seugeniae), Caucasian hackberry (Celtis caucasica), Grossheim’s spurge (Euphorbia grossheimii), bicolor wilmott rose (Rosa foetida bicolor), cousinia (Cousinia macroptera) and other rare and endemic plants.
The characteristic fauna species of the region are wild bear (Ursus arctos), lynx (Lynx lynx), wild cat (Felis silvestris), wolf (Canis lupus), jackal (Canis aureus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), brown hare (Lepus europaeus), badger (Meles meles), rocky squirrel (Martes foina), Bezoar Goat (Capra aegagrus), Cyprian Wild Sheep (Ovis orientalis), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Southern white breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Brown longeared Bat (Plecotus auritus). Common Pristelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), Short-eared Owl (Asia flammeus), Upcehr’s Warbler (Hippolais languida), Longeared Owl (Asio noctua), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava), Eastern and Western rock nuthatch (Sitta tephronota, S.neumayer), Twite (Acanthis flavirostris), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caspius), Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar), Radde’s viper (Montivipera Raddei) various snake species (Hemorrhois sp., Platyceps sp.) and etc.

Geological natural monumets. “Damdamanin dashalti” karst cave at 10-15 meters from river source and 1020 meters above sea level, on the left bank of Garadara river and 14.5 km north west of Diza village. The cave occupies 345 m2. Almammad cave near Jamaldin village. Julfa circle-top and bottom levels of Paleontological sediments formed by geological junction of Paleozoy deposits in Julfa valley. The highest peak of Daghustu chain in Daridagh (1927 m). There are extraordinary geological junctions and mineral water fields, Darashan circle of Upper Perm Period.
Ammonid remains of Uranites transcaucasicus, Dzulfites spinosus, Shevyrevites shevyrevi, Paratirolites kittli have found in the territory. Ilandagh (2415 m) with volcanic origin and andezit dasit beds. The mountain is fork peaked. According to the legends, kick of Noah’s Ark caused such form of Ilandagh.

Archeological monuments. Used for defense tower of II-I millenium with multi stage system on the both coasts of Alinjachay river near Gazanchi village. According to some opinions, this area was the center of a large local community. Julfa necropolis of bronze age near Julfa city. Stone box graves, monochrome and polychrome clay vessels, skilly decorated bronze jewelleries have been found in the territory. Gazanchi tower referring to II millenium B.C. Mustye culture plates aged 40-50 thousand years in Almammad cave near Jamaldin village. A residence and necropolis of iron age near Bayahmad village.
Historical and cultural monuments. Jugha necropolis and Gulustan mouscleum (XIII century), Jugha caravcnscrai (XIII century) of middle ages near Gulustan village. Gazanchi necropolis, Gazanchi bridge (XV century), a bath (XVII century), a mosque (XIX century) of middle ages in Gazanchi village. Alinjagala (XIII century). Alinjagal Khanagah (XIII century) near Khanagah village. Bayahmad I residence of Iron Age, Bayahmad II referring to middle ages and Bayahmad III residence and Bayahmad necropolis near Bayahmad village.
Ilandagh (Nabigalasi) ancient residence (XI - XVIII centuries) surrounded by precipitant cliffs on the eastern slope of Ilandagh Mountain near Gal village. Takya (dervish cells) of middle ages in Alinja village. Juma mosque (XII century) in Kirna village.