Brief information on Azerbaijan
tourism. Azerbaijan
tourism attractions and destinations. Tourism & travel to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan - the Land of Fires!Azerbaijan - a miraculous country with its rich
natural resources, and ancient culture, history and people; whose lifestyle
presents a unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies
of many different cultures and civilizations.
Azerbaijan
is the geographical name of the country. On one hand, this name is linked with
the ancient population which lived in this region for thousand of years, and
who were mostly fire-worshippers. The local population considered fire to be
their God, and thus they worshipped it. "Azer" means fire. The Turkic
name "Azer" was used to describe this territory for centuries. The
word "Azerbaijan"
originates from the name of an ancient Turkish tribe, who resided in these lands.
Azerbaijan
is one of the most ancient sites of human civilization. People have been
present here at every stage of their historical development. There were
developed settlements in Azerbaijan
even at the earliest stages of civilization.
Time has preserved a range of ancient archeological and architectural monuments
for our generation. Ancient headstones, manuscripts and examples of carpets,
preserved to the present day from ancient ages, can provide much insight to
those who can and want to read them. If you wish to understand Azerbaijan and
know of its fascinating history and culture, you need to look at this country
and its people through the eyes of an old friend.
The policy of "Open Doors" carried out by the Azerbaijan government,
as well as the social and economic reformation and democratization of society
carried out in the Republic, have allowed many more citizens of independent
Azerbaijan to expand the scope of their worldview, and to receive wonderful
opportunities to visit foreign countries. Visits of foreign tourists to Azerbaijan are
also increasing day by day.
Azerbaijan
has great potential for the development of the tourism industry – with such
fascinating sights as ancient cities, palaces, fortresses, mausoleums, and
mosques. Azerbaijan
has always been famous for its sources of eternal fire - the "atashgehs”. There
is a place called Yanardag (blazing mountain) in Absheron and thermal springs
in some parts of Nakhichievan, Kelbejar, Masali, Lenkoran, and Babadag
provinces.
In Surakhani, there is a site of eternal flame. From ancient times, fire
worshippers from remote places, and even Indian priests, came to Absheron in
search of fire, and found it here. They built large temples here in Surakhani
and in Ateshgah.
There are more than 6 thousand historical architectural monuments on the territory of Azerbaijan. The natural climatic
conditions of Azerbaijan
are also unique. As is well known, 9 climate zones exist in Azerbaijan, out of the 11 in the
world.
Azerbaijan
is endowed with picturesque natural landscapes, monuments of culture and modern
tourist resorts. The Khudat-Yalama seacoast, bordered by forests, and the
seashores of Absheron and Lankaran are fine places for recreation and
relaxation. In these places, there are fine sandy beaches with steady water
temperatures of 22-26°C for five or more months, which provide for a long
swimming season. The most attractive areas for Alpinism and winter sports are
Shamakhi and Gusar. Many types of animals and birds are objects of licensed hunting,
and in the reserves they are very easy to watch and photograph. In particular,
the Gizilagach reserve, where in the winter months more than one million
individuals from two hundred species of birds of passage gather, is ideal for
this purpose.
In Azerbaijan
are a number of health resorts and spas, creating an opportunity for treatment
of many illnesses yielding to natural therapies. Most of the resorts with
mineral spas also function as tourist centers. Nakhchievan is especially rich
in mineral sources; the only known deposit of medicinal petroleum in the world
- Naftalan - is completely unique.
Baku and the Absheron peninsula; Nakhchivan,
Guba-Khachmaz, Sheki-Zagatala, and Lankaran-Astara regions; and the historical
areas of Shirvan and Ganjabasar are the most attractive for tourists in Azerbaijan. The
lovely nature of these places, numerous ancient ruins, wonderful ethnographic
variety and the astonishing skills of local craftsmen will leave an
unforgettable impression of Azerbaijan
upon its guests.
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