Where is the Absheron Peninsula? Rest on Absheron peninsula

Where is the Absheron Peninsula and what are its features? This is what we wanted to talk about in our article. This land is located in Azerbaijan on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. In order to find it on the map, you need to know the coordinates - 40 ° 27'49 "North Latitude and 49 ° 57'27" East longitude. It is this peninsula in the southeast that ends the Great Caucasus Range. The population of Absheron is 90% of Azerbaijanis, 6% of Russians, 2% of Tatars and 1% of Ukrainians.

Hydronym

Absheron peninsula, whose photo can be viewed in the article, got its name a few centuries ago. A small settlement of the same name that existed before the beginning of the XVIII century, gave the name of the peninsula, calling it a cape. The word "Absheron" is borrowed from the Tats and means salty water. It is believed that at first they were designated the Caspian Sea, and only then they began to be called a coastal settlement. This is not the only hypothesis, since there are other variants of the origin of the name of the peninsula.

a brief description of

Absheron peninsula (Azerbaijan) is not very large. Its length does not exceed 60 km, and the width is 30 km. The total area is about 2,000 square meters. Km. The surface of the peninsula is a wavy plain with uplifts and mud hills. The drainless basins, filled with salt marshes and salty lakes, make up the relief of Absheron. It is very rare to find sites with moving sands. The highest point of the plain reaches 165 m, and the volcanoes rise to 310 m above sea level.

Features of the area

In the east of the peninsula there is a sandy Shakhova spit. On its southwestern side, at the foot of the horseshoe-shaped bay, the capital of Azerbaijan-Baku is located in the amphitheater. Absheron peninsula is rich in a variety of thermal springs and mud volcanoes. There are deposits of Neogene and anthropogenous systems everywhere, there is an outlet of the Tabashir deposits in its northwestern part. The peninsula itself is located in the seismically active zone.

Absheron has a rich history. Archaeological excavations testify to its colonization from the Bronze Age. Rock recordings and artifacts, preserved to this day, say that fishing, hunting, agriculture, pottery and weaving were well developed then.

Climate

Dry tropical climate all year round provides a relatively high temperature here (on average from + 25 ° C in summer and +3 ° C in winter), which makes rest on Apsheron peninsula as comfortable as possible. Depending on the territorial location (northern, southern, western and eastern sides), the annual rainfall norm ranges from 140 to 250 mm. Strong winds blow here very often.

Flora and fauna

Apsheron peninsula is mostly dominated by the vegetation of the ephemeral semi-desert. Hares, foxes, lizards, jerboas, turtles, snakes, frogs and seagulls are representatives of the local fauna. The inhabitants of the Absheron peninsula are engaged in sheep breeding, in the irrigated lands - melon growing, in the subtropical orchards grow saffron, olives, almonds, figs, sweet grapes and olives.

sights

The rich history of the peninsula is illustrated by the sights that have survived to this day. The most popular among tourists is the Nardaran fortress, built in the XIV century. Scientists-historians on the basis of many years of research have suggested that it was originally built as a temple.

One of the monuments of ancient architecture is the round castle in the village of Mardakian, built in 1232. Near it is the Quadrangular Castle. It was built in the XII century in honor of the victory over the enemies of the ruler Askhitan I. Castle is a fortress of 5 tiers 22 meters high.

Of no less interest to the guests visiting the Apsheron Peninsula, is the temple of fire "Ateshni", located in the village of Surakhani. It got its name thanks to the outgoing earth and the flammable gas. In the XVIII century this place was considered a saint, hermits built around it cells and chapels. They led an abstinent lifestyle, pacified the body with heavy chains and quicklime.

In the village of Ramana there is another historical artifact. This tower is 15 meters high. It was built in the XIV century. One of the most mysterious legacies of Absheron are the "stone roads". It is 2-3 (sometimes 5) ditches with a depth of 5 to 50 cm, hollowed out on rock surfaces parallel to each other. All of them are directed towards the sea. Most of them are destroyed by time, but there are surviving sites up to 100 m long. On the peninsula, they can be found between the villages of Hovsan and Turkyan, near the settlements of Dubendi, Gala, Surakhany. The time of building "stone roads" - about 4-5 millennium BC.

Fans of the flora are advised to visit the arboretum, located near the village of Mardakan. Here you can see the different types of wild plants growing in the most close to natural conditions.

Excursions around the villages

Very popular with tourists are trips to the villages of Absheron. Now their number exceeds 60. Most of them appeared a very long time, the other arose from the workers' settlements of the Soviet era. During this excursion, guests of Azerbaijan are introduced to the cuisine, traditions and customs of the Caucasian people. The Azerbaijanis pilav is the most popular dish. Refueling and rice for it are prepared separately. It is generously flavored with spices and seasonings. Very often in this capacity, plum, plum, quince and apricots are used.

Industry

Absheron peninsula is an important industrial zone of Azerbaijan. He and the adjacent water area have rich deposits of oil and gas. Oil production with the help of wells has been conducted for several centuries, on an industrial scale, such developments have been carried out since the end of the XIX century. The oil, gas, and oil refineries that exist here (Karadag) have led to great environmental problems.

Let's sum up the results

Apsheron peninsula is a favorite place for rest of local and foreign tourists, despite the fact that many city beaches are closed for swimming. Visiting of open coastal territories is chargeable. For a small cost you will be given the opportunity to use a deckchair, bathe in the sea, bring a teapot with a saucer of jam.