More than 1000 rivers flow, but only 21 of them have a length of more than 100 km. The Kura, the largest river in Transcaucasia, crosses the territory of Azerbaijan from the northwest to the southeast and flows into the Caspian Sea. The main tributary of the Kura is the Araks. Most of the rivers of Azerbaijan belong to the Kura basin. Rivers are used for irrigation. The Mingachevir hydroelectric power station and the Mingachevir reservoir (605 sq. km) were built on the Kura. There are 250 lakes in Azerbaijan, the largest of them are Lake. Hadjikabyul (16 sq. km) and lake. Boyukshor (10 sq. km).

Climate. Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. Several types of climate are distinguished within the country, from dry and humid subtropical (Lenkoran) to mountain tundra (highlands of the Greater Caucasus). Average annual temperatures vary from 15°C in the lowlands to 0°C in the mountains. The average July temperatures range from 26°C in the plains to 5°C in the highlands, and the average January temperatures, respectively, from 3°C to –10°C. The summer is dry. Precipitation is unevenly distributed: 200–300 mm per year on the plains (less than 200 mm in the Baku region), 300–900 mm in the foothills, 900–1400 mm in the highlands of the Greater Caucasus, up to 1700 mm within the Lankaran lowland. In Lankaran, the maximum precipitation occurs in winter, in the mountains and foothills - in April - September.

Vegetable world. There are more than 4,100 species in the flora of Azerbaijan (of which 9% are endemic, including Eldar pine, Hyrcanian boxwood, Lankaran acacia, Caspian lotus, some species of astragalus, etc.). Dry lowlands are covered with semi-desert and desert vegetation (with a predominance of wormwood and saltwort), as well as ephemeral subtropical vegetation. Salt marshes occur in places. High plains and arid foothills are occupied by sagebrush-bearded steppes, shrubs, steppe-like sagebrush semi-deserts. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, some areas of the Lesser Caucasus, as well as the Talysh mountains at altitudes from 600 to 1800 m are covered with extensive forests of oak, hornbeam, beech, chestnut, acacia, and ash. Tugai forests, alder forests and alder-lapine forests grow in humid lowlands. Subalpine meadows are common in the highlands. The highest peaks are located in the alpine nival belt.

The fauna of Azerbaijan includes about 12 thousand species, including 623 species of vertebrates (more than 90 mammals, about 350 bird species, more than 40 reptile species, more than 80 fish species, the rest are cyclostomes and amphibians). Reptiles, hares, wolves, foxes, goitered gazelle are common on the plains. Wild boars, roe deer, badgers, and jackals are found in the valleys of the Kura and Araks. Red deer, Dagestan tur, chamois, bezoar goat, roe deer, bear, lynx, forest cat, mouflon and leopard live in the mountains. Animals such as sika deer, saiga, raccoon dog, American raccoon, coypu, skunk have been introduced. The world of birds (pheasants, partridges, black grouse, etc.), especially waterfowl, is very diverse. Many of them arrive for the winter (ducks, geese, swans, herons, pelicans, flamingos, cormorants, etc.). There are many valuable commercial fish in the Caspian Sea (salmon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, herring, kutum, vobla, asp, lamprey, sprat, etc.), and among mammals - the Caspian seal.

Azerbaijan is located in the Eastern Transcaucasia. Its territory extends from the Main Caucasian Range to the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus and Talysh. In the north, Azerbaijan borders on Dagestan, in the west on Armenia and Georgia. In the east, Azerbaijan adjoins the Caspian Sea.

The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.

Azerbaijan is the largest of the Transcaucasian republics in terms of area. Its area is about 86.6 thousand square meters. km, population - 6303 thousand people.

The natural conditions of Azerbaijan are surprisingly diverse: from the warm and humid subtropics of the Lankaran lowlands and Talysh to the snowy highlands of the Greater Caucasus.

Numerous rivers have significant energy resources, which creates favorable conditions for the construction of hydroelectric power stations with reservoirs and artificial irrigation systems.

The bowels of Azerbaijan contain valuable minerals: oil and gas, alunites, polymetals, copper ore, gold, molybdenum and others. The republic also has a variety of raw materials for the building materials industry: marble, kaolin, tuff, dolomite, clay.

Among the natural wealth, a special place belongs to the wonderful climatic and hydrotherapy resorts of Azerbaijan. They enjoy well-deserved fame far beyond the borders of the republic.

The life of the population of Azerbaijan is closely connected with the Caspian Sea. FROM natural resources Caspian Sea are closely related to such industries National economy, as the oil and fishing industry, maritime transport and ship repair.

Population

In terms of population, Azerbaijan ranks first among the republics of Transcaucasia. 6303 thousand people live here. In addition to the indigenous population - Azerbaijanis (4709 thousand people, 78.1% of the total population), Armenians, Russians, Dagestanis and representatives of other nationalities live in the republic.

A significant number of Azerbaijanis live in neighboring Georgia (256 thousand) and Armenia (161 thousand), as well as in Russia (152 thousand) and other republics. Outside the former USSR, Azerbaijanis live mainly in Iran.

Among the ancient inhabitants of the region, we should mention the Iranian-speaking Tats, Talysh, Kurds, as well as Georgian-Ingiloys. At present, the Tats inhabit the north-eastern, and the Talysh - the south-eastern regions of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijanis belong to a special Caspian anthropological type of southern Caucasians. They are characterized by medium height, narrow gracile features and dark hair, eyes and skin. On the territory of Azerbaijan, this anthropological type has been known since the end of the Bronze Age - the beginning of the Iron Age.

The Azerbaijani language belongs to the Oguz - southwestern - group of Turkic languages. The penetration of Turkic speech into the territory of Azerbaijan dates back to the 4th-5th centuries. n. e., when nomadic tribes of Bulgarians and Huns began to settle here, raiding from the North Caucasian steppes. In subsequent centuries, the Turks-Kazars penetrate and settle here. In the XI - XIII centuries. there is a displacement of the former local dialects - Aran and Azeri - by the Turkic language of the entire population of Azerbaijan. In the XIII century. the first literary works appeared in the Azerbaijani language.

AT Soviet years Azerbaijani language became official state language throughout the country.

Believing Azerbaijanis profess Shiite and Sunni Islam.

economy

Azerbaijan is an industrial country with a highly developed industry and mechanized diversified agriculture. The most important place in the economy of Azerbaijan is occupied by the oil and gas pipeline, oil refining, chemical, machine-building, mining and non-ferrous metallurgy industries. Various branches of food and light industry. Agriculture specializes mainly in viticulture, horticulture, tobacco growing, vegetable growing, animal husbandry and sericulture.

In the total volume of the gross social product of the republic, 2/3 is accounted for by industry, 1/6 - by agriculture, 1/10 - by construction, the rest is trade and other non-productive industries.

Azerbaijan supplies other countries with products of the chemical and fuel industries, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering and metalworking, light industry, etc. From other countries, mainly finished products are imported to Azerbaijan: machine tools, various agricultural machines, cars, clothing, food products .

Azerbaijan has close economic ties with many countries of the world, to which it exports about 350 types of industrial products, including mobile drilling rigs, lifting units, mobile derricks, Christmas trees, downhole pumps, electric motors, geophysical instruments, oil products, light and food industry products .

In the structure of national income (1991,%): industry 54.2, agriculture 36.7. Electricity production 23.3 billion kWh (1991), mainly at thermal power plants.

The area of ​​agricultural land is 4.2 million hectares (1990). The sown area is 1463 thousand hectares (1990), including cereals 40% (mainly wheat), fodder 36%, industrial crops 20%. The main industrial crops are cotton, tobacco, and tea. Gross grain harvest 1.4 million tons (1990), raw cotton 543 thousand tons, grapes 1196 thousand tons. Early vegetable growing, subtropical fruit growing. The area of ​​irrigated land is 1401 thousand hectares (1990). The main branches of animal husbandry are sheep breeding, dairy and meat cattle breeding, and poultry farming. Sericulture. Operating length (1991, thousand km): railways 2.09; 36.7 public roads, including 32 paved ones. The main port - Baku, is connected by rail ferries with the ports of the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea (Krasnovodsk, Aktau, Bekdash). Shipping on the Kura. Pipeline transport. Resorts: Istisu, Naftalan, Absheron group, etc.

Abstract of the students of the 8-"B" class of the gymnasium named after A.S. Pushkin Reznikov Vadim and Zhigulskaya Marina.

General information.

Azerbaijan is located in the Eastern Transcaucasia. Its territory extends from the Main Caucasian Range to the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus and Talysh. In the north, Azerbaijan borders on Dagestan, in the west on Armenia and Georgia. In the east, Azerbaijan adjoins the Caspian Sea.

The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.

Azerbaijan is the largest of the Transcaucasian republics in terms of area. Its area is about 86.6 thousand square meters. km, population - 6303 thousand people.

The natural conditions of Azerbaijan are surprisingly diverse: from the warm and humid subtropics of the Lankaran lowlands and Talysh to the snowy highlands of the Greater Caucasus.

Numerous rivers have significant energy resources, which creates favorable conditions for the construction of hydroelectric power stations with reservoirs and artificial irrigation systems.

The bowels of Azerbaijan contain valuable minerals: oil and gas, alunites, polymetals, copper ore, gold, molybdenum and others. The republic also has a variety of raw materials for the building materials industry: marble, kaolin, tuff, dolomite, clay.

Among the natural wealth, a special place belongs to the wonderful climatic and hydrotherapy resorts of Azerbaijan. They enjoy well-deserved fame far beyond the borders of the republic.

The life of the population of Azerbaijan is closely connected with the Caspian Sea. Such sectors of the national economy as the oil and fishing industries, maritime transport and ship repair are closely connected with the natural resources of the Caspian Sea.

Population

In terms of population, Azerbaijan ranks first among the republics of Transcaucasia. 6303 thousand people live here. In addition to the indigenous population - Azerbaijanis (4709 thousand people, 78.1% of the total population), Armenians, Russians, Dagestanis and representatives of other nationalities live in the republic.

A significant number of Azerbaijanis live in neighboring Georgia (256 thousand) and Armenia (161 thousand), as well as in Russia (152 thousand) and other republics. Outside the former USSR, Azerbaijanis live mainly in Iran.

Among the ancient inhabitants of the region, we should mention the Iranian-speaking Tats, Talysh, Kurds, as well as Georgian-Ingiloys. At present, the Tats inhabit the north-eastern, and the Talysh - the south-eastern regions of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijanis belong to a special Caspian anthropological type of southern Caucasians. They are characterized by medium height, narrow gracile features and dark hair, eyes and skin. On the territory of Azerbaijan, this anthropological type has been known since the end of the Bronze Age - the beginning of the Iron Age.

The Azerbaijani language belongs to the Oguz - southwestern - group of Turkic languages. The penetration of Turkic speech into the territory of Azerbaijan dates back to the 4th-5th centuries. n. e., when nomadic tribes of Bulgarians and Huns began to settle here, raiding from the North Caucasian steppes. In subsequent centuries, the Turks-Kazars penetrate and settle here. In the XI - XIII centuries. there is a displacement of the former local dialects - Aran and Azeri - by the Turkic language of the entire population of Azerbaijan. In the XIII century. the first literary works appeared in the Azerbaijani language.

During the Soviet years, the Azerbaijani language became the official state language throughout the country.

Believing Azerbaijanis profess Shiite and Sunni Islam.

economy

Azerbaijan is an industrial country with a highly developed industry and mechanized diversified agriculture. The most important place in the economy of Azerbaijan is occupied by the oil and gas pipeline, oil refining, chemical, machine-building, mining and non-ferrous metallurgy industries. Various branches of food and light industry. Agriculture specializes mainly in viticulture, horticulture, tobacco growing, vegetable growing, animal husbandry and sericulture.

In the total volume of the gross social product of the republic, 2/3 is accounted for by industry, 1/6 - by agriculture, 1/10 - by construction, the rest is trade and other non-productive industries.

Azerbaijan supplies other countries with products of the chemical and fuel industries, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering and metalworking, light industry, etc. From other countries, mainly finished products are imported to Azerbaijan: machine tools, various agricultural machines, cars, clothing, food products .

Azerbaijan has close economic ties with many countries of the world, to which it exports about 350 types of industrial products, including mobile drilling rigs, lifting units, mobile derricks, Christmas trees, downhole pumps, electric motors, geophysical instruments, oil products, light and food industry products .

In the structure of national income (1991,%): industry 54.2, agriculture 36.7. Electricity production 23.3 billion kWh (1991), mainly at thermal power plants.

The area of ​​agricultural land is 4.2 million hectares (1990). The sown area is 1463 thousand hectares (1990), including cereals 40% (mainly wheat), fodder 36%, industrial crops 20%. The main industrial crops are cotton, tobacco, and tea. Gross grain harvest 1.4 million tons (1990), raw cotton 543 thousand tons, grapes 1196 thousand tons. Early vegetable growing, subtropical fruit growing. The area of ​​irrigated land is 1401 thousand hectares (1990). The main branches of animal husbandry are sheep breeding, dairy and meat cattle breeding, and poultry farming. Sericulture. Operating length (1991, thousand km): railways 2.09; 36.7 public roads, including 32 paved ones. The main port - Baku, is connected by rail ferries with the ports of the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea (Krasnovodsk, Aktau, Bekdash). Shipping on the Kura. Pipeline transport. Resorts: Istisu, Naftalan, Absheron group, etc.

Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan) often called " land of fire" (from "azer" - fire). Azerbaijan- an amazing country in which everything is unique - nature and culture, history and customs and traditions, architecture and much more. Every city in this country keeps something special: the city Lip- famous for its medieval fortresses and mosques, the city of Sheki - famous for its chic palaces, some of them have been converted into modern hotels. Also of note are such natural beauties as the Tengi Canyon, the Afurdzhin waterfall and the Gobustan reserve, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Among tourists, those places in the city of Baku, where episodes of the films " The Diamond Arm" and " Amphibian Man». Azerbaijan The climate will also surprise you: the sea coast and rivers, high mountain ranges and plains, semi-deserts and forests are comfortably located on the territory of the country. Beautiful landscapes, springs with clear water, waterfalls and mountain rivers, thermal and mineral springs, deep gorges, green meadows, pure mountain air are waiting for you. For lovers of active water recreation, there are many entertainments in the resorts of the Caspian Sea.

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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

The favorable natural and geographical climate of the territory of Azerbaijan has created conditions for the settlement of people here since ancient times.

Ancient authors - Herodotus (5th century BC), Strabo (64/63 BC - 23/24 AD), Polybi (approximately 200 -120 BC .) Claudius Ptolemy (approximately 90-160) in his works gave information about Azerbaijan, its borders, geographical position, rivers, settlements, tribes living here, the Caspian Sea, that it has no connection with any other by sea. Subsequently, the Arab geographers and travelers Ibn Khordadbeh (approximately 820/826 -912/913), Abu-Ishag Istakhri (820 -934), the Iranian scientist Rashidaddin Fazlullah (1247 - 1318), the Azerbaijani scientist Muhammad Nakhchivani (end of the 13th century - 2nd half of the 14th century) and others wrote about economics, administrative division Azerbaijan, mountains and rivers, cities, the distance between them, trade routes. The Albanian (Caucasian) historian Musa Kalankatly (VIII - VIII centuries) in his work "Albanian History" described Albania as a glorious country, with rich nature, a large population, pointed to the presence in Albania of fertile lands, luxurious gardens and green fields. On the world map of the Venetian F. Mauro (1459), the maps of Alsharifi (1601), the German scientist and traveler A. Olearius (1647), as well as on the map "Eastern Transcaucasia and the Caspian Sea", compiled by order of Peter I (1720) and printed in 1723, were indicated settlements Azerbaijan, its lakes, rivers, etc.

Azerbaijani geographer Abdurrashid Bakuvi expressed his opinion about the climate of Azerbaijan, the nature of Baku, Haji Zeynalabdin Shirvani and Abbasgulu aga Bakikhanov - about the geography of Azerbaijan. V. Abikh, I. Figurovsky, A. Zakharov and others also contributed to the study of the territory of Azerbaijan. A comprehensive study of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan began during the years of Soviet power, maps of various scales, scientific atlases were created. In a comprehensive study of the territory of the republic special role played by the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.

Historical and geographical position of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The ancient Azerbaijani land is located in Western Asia, covering the territories from the southeastern part of the Caucasus Mountains to the southern and southeastern mountainous territories of Lake Urmia. Its area is more than 200 thousand square kilometers.

Azerbaijan as a whole is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. Spain, Greece, Turkey, China, Korea are almost at the same latitudes as Azerbaijan. A number of important roads of international importance from Europe to the countries of Central and East Asia pass through the territory of Azerbaijan. The territory of the republic from north to south is 400 km, from west to east - 500 km. The country is located between 38° 25-41°55 north latitude and 44° 50-50°51 east longitude. Being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the republic has a unique geopolitical and geographical position, from ancient times to the present day it has been important for international economic and cultural relations.

Relief

The relief of the Republic of Azerbaijan is very diverse. Two forms of relief prevail here: lowlands and highlands.

About 60% of the territory of Azerbaijan is mountainous. The main geomorphological units of the republic - the Greater Caucasus, the Lesser Caucasus (together with the Karabakh plateau) and the Talysh mountains cover the Kura-Araz lowland from the north, west and southeast.

The average elevation of the republic is up to 400 meters. The amplitude of the heights of the land ranges from - 26.5 m (Caspian lowland) below the ocean level to 4466 m of absolute height (top of Bazardyuzyu). This means that it becomes clear that on the territory of the republic the difference in altitude is about 4500 meters.

The southeastern part of the Greater Caucasus belongs to Azerbaijan. There are two mountain ranges here: with the top of Bazarduzu (4466 meters) Main or watershed, with the top of Shahdag (4243 meters) Big or Side. To the southwest, the mountain ranges gradually decrease by 1000 - 700 meters. The main Caucasian ridge is surrounded by foothills: in the northwest - flat meadows, in the southeast - Gobustan, in the southwest - Alazan-Haftaran, in the northeast - the Gusar sloping plain.

The mountains are mainly formed from Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, relatively less prone to denudation. The foothills are characterized by badlands (steppes of Jeyranchel, Ajynour) and mud volcanoes (Gobustan, Absheron). The Gusar plain and the Alazan-Haftaran valley are formed from a thick layer of crushed stone deposits of the fourth period.

The Lesser Caucasus covers the southwestern and western parts of the republic, has a relatively low elevation, consists of a number of ridges and meadows, is a mountainous area with a complex structure. The main mountain ranges are Murovdag, Shahdag and Zangezur. The Karabakh plateau, starting from the south of Murovdag to the Araz River, is located on arched cones of extinct volcanoes and lava of the fourth period. The Lesser Caucasus is formed from volcanogenic and deposited rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

The Talysh Mountains are located on the southeastern outskirts of the country. They are mainly formed from deposits of the third period. The Talish Mountains form a transitional link from the Lesser Caucasus Mountains to the Elbrus Mountains (Iran), and consist of three main mountain ranges with a height of 2477 meters.

The Kura-Araz lowland covers the space between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the Talysh mountains. Being the largest intermountain lowland in the South Caucasus, it occupies the central part of the republic. The lowland between the Kura and Araz rivers is divided into 5 plains: Mugansuyu, Mil, Karabakh, Shirvan and Salyan.

To the north of the Absheron Peninsula, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, there is the Samur-Divichi lowland, which rests on the Gusar sloping plain. To the south of the Absheron peninsula, along the slopes of the Talysh mountains, there is a narrow strip of the Lankaran lowland. Most of the Kura-Araz, Samur-Divichi, Lankaran lowlands, as well as the Absheron Peninsula, are below the ocean level.

Climate

The climate of Azerbaijan is mainly influenced by the geographical position, relief and the Caspian Sea. Here there is a semi-desert climate, a climate of dry steppes, a subtropical, medium and cold climate. According to VVKeppen, 8 out of 11 climate types in the world are observed in Azerbaijan. Dry subtropical climate is characteristic of Absheron and the Kura-Araz lowland. Humid subtropical climate is observed only in the south of the Talysh mountains, it is typical for the foothill areas and the Lankaran lowland. The temperate climate, observed mainly in the forested uplands of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, is divided into dry, warm-temperate dry, warm-temperate humid and cold. A cold climate is observed on high mountain ranges, peaks of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, belts of alpine and subalpine meadows. While in the lowlands the average annual air temperature in the lowlands is 15°C, in mountainous areas it varies from 0°C and below. The temperature in July in the central plains is 27°, in the mountainous regions - 5°.

The absolute maximum is 43°, absolute minimum— 30°. These high rates are observed in Nakhchivan and high mountains. Precipitation is also unevenly distributed throughout the country. During the year, less than 200 mm of precipitation falls on the Absheron Peninsula and on the Araz strip of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. In the Kura-Araz lowland, the amount of precipitation is observed in the amount of 200-300 mm, on the northeastern slopes of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus - 600-800 mm. On the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, at elevations of 2000-2500 meters, precipitation reaches 1200-1500 mm. The greatest precipitation falls in the south of the Lankaran lowland and the slopes of the Talysh mountains - 1200-1700 mm.

The prevailing winds are in the northern (Absheron Peninsula), southwestern (Kura-Araz lowland) and southern (Lankaran lowland) directions.

Inland waters

The dense river network of the republic covered its territory like a blue web. There are 8400 large and small rivers in Azerbaijan. Of these, 850 have a length of more than 5 km. In total, 24 rivers have a length of over 100 km.

The Kura and Araz rivers are the largest rivers in the Caucasus and are the main sources of irrigation and hydropower. The Kura River originates on the northeastern slope of the Gyzylgyadik mountain, at a site of maximum elevation of 2740 meters. The Kura flows through the territory of Georgia, enters the territory of Azerbaijan. Flowing through the Kura-Araz lowland, it flows into the Caspian Sea. The total length of the Kura is 1515 km, on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan its length reaches 906 km. The area of ​​the basin is 188 thousand square kilometers. The Mingachevir, Shamkir and Yenikend reservoirs, dams, and hydroelectric power stations have been built on the Kura River. With the help of the Upper Karabakh and Upper Shirvan canals drawn from the Mingachevir reservoir, the lands of the Kura-Araz lowland are irrigated.

The Araz River originates on the territory of Turkey on the Bingol Range, near the city of Sabirabad (Sugovushan village) merges with the Kura. Its length is 1072 km, the basin area is 102 thousand square kilometers.

Samur is the largest river in the northeast of Azerbaijan. It originates in the territory of Dagestan, at an altitude of 3600 meters and flows into the Caspian Sea. Its length is 216 km, the basin area is 4.4 thousand square kilometers. Along with the Samur River, the Gusarchay, Gudyalchay, Vyalvyalachay, Sumgaitchay, Vilyashchay, Lankaranchay and Astarachay rivers also flow into the Caspian Sea.

There are quite a lot of mountain rivers in Azerbaijan, most of them are fed by snow and rain. The small rivers Balakyanchay, Talachay, Katekhchay, Kyurmyukchay, Kishchay and others, the course of which starts from the Greater Caucasus, in the Alazan-Ayrichay valley are connected with Alazan and Ayrichay.

Originating from the Lesser Caucasus Agstafachay, Tovuzchay, Asrikchay, Zyayamchay, Shamkirchay, Ganjachay, Kyuryakchay, Terterchay are connected to the Kura. Akerichay, Okhchuchay and Arpachay on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Nakhchivanchay, Alinjachay, Gilanchay, Ordubadchay flow into the Araz.

On the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan there are about 250 lakes with fresh and salt water, differing in terms of nutrition and formation. Of these, one can name glacial origin Tufangol, landslide and landslide origin Goygol, Maralgol, Garagol, Batabat; lakes Aggol, Sarysu, Mehman, Ajigabul, which appeared as a result of tectonic subsidence, the largest salt lakes - Ajynour, Boyukshor, Binagadi and others.

Vegetation cover

The territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan has a rich and rare flora. In a relatively small area, almost all types of plants common in the world are found. Approximately 450 species of higher, spore and flowering plants growing in Azerbaijan are united in 125 orders and 920 sexes. In terms of the total number of species, the flora of Azerbaijan, unlike other Caucasian republics, is richer. Plant species found in the territory of Azerbaijan account for 66% of the total number of plant species growing in the Caucasus. Along with plant species widespread in the Caucasus and other regions, the Azerbaijani flora contains a sufficient number of about 240 endemic species that grow only in Azerbaijan and are characteristic of its relatively small areas.

The distribution of vegetation cover is determined by the physical and geographical formation of the region, the climatic conditions of modern lands, vertical zoning, and a number of other factors. So, in the lowland part of the republic, up to a 200-meter height, desert, semi-desert and wetland plant species are developed. The grouping of desert types of plants is observed mainly on the Caspian coast, southeastern Shirvan, Mil, Mugan and Shirvan plains. Depending on the salinity of the lands, such species as sarsazan, saltwort, petrosimonia are widespread here. The semi-desert vegetation cover is widespread in the Shirvan, Salyan, Mugan, Mil and Karabakh plains, as well as in the Araz, Jeyranchel, Gobustan plains; as a zonal formation, the sagebrush semi-desert constitutes an area advantage. Of the other formations, the most characteristic are Garagan (Kura-Araz) and Dengiz (Gobustan, Nakhchivan). Other plants most common in the semi-desert are bulbous bluegrass, Japanese brome, hard chaff, oriental mortuk, cereal grasses, and some herbs (Swedish, saltwort, potash, petrosimonia). These areas are characterized by tugai forests. The basis of forests, distributed mainly in the valleys of the Kura, Araz and Gabyrry rivers, are oak, maple, ash, willow and others.

On the plains at the foot of the mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, at an altitude of 200 to 600, 700, sometimes 1200 meters, mainly annual and perennial xerophytic plants and bushes are common. For more high levels, at an altitude of 1200-1800 meters, there are forests. The total territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan is 86.6 million hectares. The total area of ​​Azerbaijani forests is 1213.7 thousand hectares. Of these, the territory covered with forests is 989.5 thousand hectares, which is 11.4% common territory. There is approximately 0.12 ha per capita, which is 4 times (0.48 ha) less than the corresponding global average.

Although forests in Azerbaijan are small in area, they are rich in their species. 435 species of trees and bushes grow in the forests, 70 of which are endemic. Broad-leaved forests are typical for the entire territory of the republic. This type of forests is most widespread in the low and medium mountainous parts of the mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the Talysh mountains. At an altitude of 600-1600 meters, in many places they form a single belt. In other areas, the forests are in the form of meadows and stripes.

The forests consist of three types of trees - beech, hornbeam and oak. They make up 82.6% of the total forest cover. In addition to them, maple, linden, alder, poplar, willow, elm and other broad-leaved trees also grow. Coniferous (needle) trees make up 1.7% of all forests in the republic. 107 species of trees grow naturally in Azerbaijan, of which 7 are coniferous (needle). These include long-stemmed, hard-smelling and fruitful juniper, hook pine, Eldar pine, European black linden.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is considered the birthplace of rare species of trees and bushes. Black linden, as a relic plant of the third period, is a rare pearl of the forests. This tree is most common in the south of the Greater Caucasus (Gabala region), southeast (Pirgulu, Shamakhi region). Late-growing, but long-lived yew never occupied large areas. The natural homeland of the Eldar pine is the Eldar excavation of the Jeyranchel foothills. Relic and rare trees of the third period growing on the Talysh Mountains - iron tree, Lankaran acacia, chestnut-leaved oak, Caucasian persimmon, boxwood, Hyrcanian fig, Hyrcanian maple, zelkova, lapina - gifts of nature indescribable in beauty.

Animal world

Azerbaijan, with its inherent complex of fauna, is located at the junction of several zoogeographic poles. Here, some species of animals from neighboring territories - Iran, Central Asia, countries - have adapted to the local nature and enriched the fauna of the republic. mediterranean sea. Thanks to the diversity natural conditions, on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan animal world also available in various types. 97 species of mammals, 357 species of birds, 67 species of reptiles and amphibians, 97 species of fish, more than 15,000 invertebrates, 1 species of cyclostomes live on the territory of Azerbaijan.

The fauna of the flat parts is represented by numerous mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

Of the mammals, one can meet here the goitered gazelle, wild boar, wolf, fox, badger, jungle cat, hare and others; many species of insects, among birds - partridge, pheasant, eagle, turaja (mountain partridge), various ducks and geese, swans, kashkaldak, sultan chickens, curly-feathered gutan and other birds. In addition to animals living in the middle and elevated mountainous parts of the plains, these territories are characterized by the East Caucasian goat, Caucasian red deer, European goitered gazelle, Caucasian brown bear, bearded vulture, golden eagle, Caucasian falcon, Caucasian tetra, Caucasian snowcock and other representatives of the fauna. .

108 species of animals are listed in the "Red Book" of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including 14 species of mammals, 36 species of birds, 13 species of amphibians and reptiles, 5 species of fish and 40 species of insects.

Minerals of Azerbaijan

The territory of the republic is rich in minerals of three types: ore, non-metallic and fuel in origin.

Azerbaijan is known for its oil and gas fields. 2/3 of the republic's territory is rich in oil and gas. The largest number of oil and gas fields are located on the Absheron Peninsula, in the shelf zone of the Caspian Sea, the archipelago of Baku and Absheron. In addition, southeastern Shirvan, the central steppe zones, Gobustan, Jeyranchel, Ajynour, Siyazan are rich in oil.

Thanks to the world-famous Naftalan oil, many diseases are cured. The largest number of natural gas fields are located in Garadagh, the shelf zone of the Caspian Sea, Baku and the Absheron archipelago. The Lesser Caucasus is rich in ore deposits. There are deposits of iron, titanium, gold, silver, copper, cobalt, chromite, polymetals, molybdenum, etc. The largest deposits iron ore located in Dashkesan.

Of non-metallic deposits, Gobustan, Absheron and Tovuz limestone, Shakhtakhti travertine (Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic), Dashkesan marble, Upper Ajikend gypsum, and Hajiveli quartz sands are of great economic importance.

On the territory of Azerbaijan there are mineral springs with different chemical composition. According to the richness of their composition, the territory of Azerbaijan is called the “museum of mineral waters”. Istisu in the Kalbajar region, Badamli and Sirab in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are known far beyond the borders of Azerbaijan.

Mineral waters in the regions of Surakhani and Zykh of the Absheron Peninsula, Galaalty of the Divichi region, Turshsu in the Julfa region are distinguished by their healing properties. On the Talysh Mountains, the southern and northeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, the advantage is thermal waters.

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest drainless lake, plays an important role in the life of the Azerbaijani people and is unique in terms of physical and geographical indicators. Suffice it to say that the flora and fauna of the Caspian is rich in endemic species. So, 90% of sturgeons in the world, which differ in their antiquity from other fish species, are located in this sea.

The specificity of the geographical landscape has created favorable recreational conditions. The sea is located along the meridian in the form of the Latin letter S, located between 47 ° 17' East latitude and 36 ° 33' West longitude. The length of the Caspian Sea along the meridian is about 1200 km, the average width is 310, the largest and smallest latitudes are 435 and 195 km, respectively. Due to periodic changes in the level of the Caspian Sea, the level of its surface (mirror) and the volume of waters change. At present, the sea level is 26.75 m below the ocean level. At this sea level, its surface area is 392600 km2, the volume of water is 78648 km3, which is 44% of the total lake water resources in the world. In this plan maximum depth- 1025 meters, can be compared with the Black, Baltic and Yellow seas, the Caspian is deeper than the Adriatic, Aegean, Tyrrhenian and other seas.

The Azerbaijani part of the water area covers the middle and southern parts of the sea; in terms of salinity, the Caspian differs significantly from the waters of the world ocean. The salinity of the water in the northern part is 5-6, in the middle and southern parts 12.6-13.5 ppm. Of the approximately 300 mud volcanoes existing in Azerbaijan, more than 170 are island and underwater volcanoes in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. There are especially many of them in the southern Caspian.

The uniqueness and diversity of natural conditions have become the reason that until now representatives of rare species of flora and fauna have been preserved in the Caspian Sea.

171 species of phytoplankton (algae), 40 species of zooplankton, 258 species of phytobenthos, 91 species of macrozoodenthos, 80 species and subspecies of fish from 14 families inhabit the Azerbaijani sea area.

By the number of fish species, the majority are cyprinids - 42 species, sprat - 17, salmon - 2, sturgeons consist of 5 species.

Of the ichthyofauna of the Caspian Sea, 4 breeds, 31 species and 45 subspecies are endemic. The majority of endemic species are registered in the Middle Caspian. Approximately 40 species and subspecies of fish are intended for catching. The basis of the total ichthyomass is sprat (80%), the rest is mullet, atherine and hul. Among the fish endangered and included in the "Red Book" of the republic are the Caspian lamprey, spotted fish, South Caspian porus (white-eye), chehon, sea sif. AT last years The Caspian salmon, white salmon, khramula, shamayka, shibrit and garasol are endangered. In the marine fauna of the Caspian Sea, the only mammal is the Caspian seal. It is the smallest of all available seals. The size of the population of the Caspian seal from 1.5 million at the beginning of the 20th century decreased by the end of the century to 300-400 thousand in 1993, the Caspian seal is listed in the Red Book.

On various biotypes of the Caspian Sea and coastal zones, 320 species of birds were recorded, of which 37 are waterfowl, 109 are near-water and 156 are land birds.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AZERBAIJANIAN ECONOMY

After the restoration of state independence in 1991, Azerbaijan began to exercise sovereign rights and pursue an independent policy in the economic sphere. The main direction of this activity was the creation of an economy system based on various forms of ownership, the transition to market relations and integration into the world economy.

Economic development since independence to the present day can be divided into two main stages. The first, covering 1991-1995, was a period of chaos or decline, the second, a period of macroeconomic stability and dynamic development of the economy, which began in 1996 and continues to this day.

As a result of the far-sighted policy and hard work of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, despite the difficult initial milestone in a short historical period after the restoration of state independence, it was possible to achieve very great success in the socio-economic development of the country and integration into the world economic system. The greatest achievement lies in the fact that as a result of the process of independent state building carried out in the country during this period, a new essentially new development and economic reforms model - Azerbaijan model.

It is significant that the official basis for the implementation of the above model at the second stage of economic development was the political documents (concepts, strategies and programs) adopted in the Republic of Azerbaijan - (“Program of State Assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises in Azerbaijan (1997-2000)”, “State Program for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2002-2005)”, “State Program for the Development of the Engineering Industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2002-2005)”, “State Program for the Development of the Agrarian Sector in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2002-2005)”, 2006)”, “Concept of Demographic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, “State Program for the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2002-2005”, “State Program for Poverty Reduction and Economic Development (2003-2005)”, “State Azerbaijan Regions Socio-Economic Development Program Republic of Aidzhan (2004-2008), etc.), as well as a number of those under development (“Employment Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, “Integrated and Investing in the Non-Oil Sector”, etc.).

One of the most important directions of the economic policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan was the preparation of the oil strategy of an independent state, the author of which was the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. The implementation of the strategy began with the conclusion of a 30-year agreement on the joint exploitation of the Azeri, Chirag and deepwater Gunashli fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea and the share distribution of produced oil, concluded between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan and 12 well-known oil companies ( Amoko, BP, McDermott, Unikal, Lukoil, Statoil, Exxon, Turkia Petrollary, Penzoil, Itochu, Remco, Delta) from a number of countries (USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia).

The day of September 20, 1994 entered with golden letters into the modern history of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and will forever remain in the memory of present and future generations. The signing and implementation of the agreement, now known throughout the world as the "Contract of the Century", is a clear evidence of the implementation of the new oil strategy developed by Heydar Aliyev and constituting the concept of economic development of independent Azerbaijan.

On December 29, 1999, the national leader Heydar Aliyev signed the Decree "On the establishment of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

The main meaning of the philosophy of the creation of the Oil Fund is to ensure a fair distribution between the generations of the oil wealth granted to the Azerbaijani people by the Almighty. If one of the goals set for the Fund is to concentrate and increase the income received from the sale of oil for future generations, then the other is to use these incomes for the benefit of current generations, taking into account the satisfaction of the current social needs of the country, progress and the needs of economic development.

Based wise decision great leader Heydar Aliyev, the first funds of the Oil Fund were used to finance activities aimed at improving the social and living conditions of the most disadvantaged and socially vulnerable category of refugees and internally displaced persons.

As a result of large-scale, fundamental reforms carried out in the country's economy, in 1995-2004, tangible results were achieved in the field of industry. Contracts on joint activities in oil and gas production concluded with large companies from developed countries on September 20, 1994 gave a powerful impetus to the accelerated development of the oil and gas industry. There is growth industrial production. We can say that as a result of tangible progress in all areas of production, incl. oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, machine-building and metalworking, production building materials production increased significantly. It should be noted that along with the mining industry, the processing industry has also developed. Over the past six years, production in the processing industries has grown 1.5 times, incl. in the food industry - by 43%, the production of wood products - 2 times, the production of paper products - by 30%, the production of chemical products - 2.5 times, the production of building materials - 5 times, metallurgy - 3 times.

In 1993-2003, more than 3 thousand new enterprises were opened and as of January 1, 2004 their number was 5536. As a result of the policy of "open doors" developed by the national leader, which continues to this day, the number of foreign and joint ventures operating in the country grew 3 times. Currently, there are 192 enterprises with foreign investments in Azerbaijan, representing 63 countries of the world. They have thousands of jobs. 74% of investments in the national economy in 2003 were in industry. As evidence of the growth of the non-state sector of the economy, one should consider a tangible increase in economic entities of a new formation, the expansion and dynamic development of small businesses, and the influx of individuals into the business sector.

A lot of work has been done in the direction of meeting the needs of the economy and the population in energy carriers. A vivid manifestation of the special attention of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to this area is the “State Program for the Development of the Fuel and Energy Complex of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005-2015)” prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Energy and approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 635 dated February 14, 2004, which will ensure the energy security of the country and more effectively meet the growing demand for energy resources.

Agriculture, being at all times the main branch of the economy of Azerbaijan, played an important role in the development of the country and providing the population with necessary consumer goods. The adoption in 1995-1996 of the Laws "On the Fundamentals of Agrarian Reforms", "On the Reformation of State Farms and Kolkhozes", "On Land Reform" and other important legal acts made it possible to implement cardinal changes in the agro-industrial complex. Thus, for the first time in the space of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Law "On Land Reform" reflects the transfer of land to private ownership, its purchase and sale.

As a result of major structural changes in agriculture everything was liquidated, including state farms and collective farms, agricultural enterprises, and their property was divided among the members of the farms. A small number of breeding, crop-growing and other such farms were left in state ownership. The acceleration of the formation in the village of a new type of property - peasant farming - created favorable conditions for the best organization agricultural work and development of the agricultural sector.

The reforms carried out in the agrarian sector of Azerbaijan, in their radicalism and pace, radically differed not only from the reforms in other areas of the country's economy, but also differed significantly from the reforms that were carried out in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In addition, they played a special role in the formation of private property in the country and the development of entrepreneurship. Reforms in the banking system played an important role in eradicating the mistrust towards banks that arose in the first years of independence. Work has begun on modern banking construction in the country, measures have been taken to form a two-stage banking system, strengthen banks, and increase their authorized capital. Failing to get the job done and unable to withstand competition in a free market economy, weak banks self-liquidated. Although the number of banking institutions in the country decreased by 4 times, their total capital increased by 5 times.

One of the factors providing economic development, is the dynamics of capital investment. Thus, investments aimed at capital investment, along with the growth of production, serve the construction and commissioning of new enterprises, educational facilities, healthcare, housing and other social facilities, and the creation of new jobs. For this reason, in the economic policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an increase in the volume of attracted investments every year, incl. foreign, occupies one of the primary places.

After the restoration of independence by Azerbaijan, great importance in foreign economic policy was given to relations with international financial-credit and economic institutions. Significant work has been done in this direction over the past period. Azerbaijan is a member of, one might say, all authoritative international structures, incl. since 1992 - the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, since 1999 - the Asian Development Bank, and constantly consults with these structures on economic problems, issues of transition to a market economy, uses their financial resources .

Thus, the results of reforms successfully carried out in a short period of time in all sectors of the country's economy once again clearly demonstrate the correct economic policy, persistently implemented by the leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan.