Astara District
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Astara District | |
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UTC+4 (AZT) | |
Postal code | 0700 |
Website | astara-ih |
Astara District (
History
Ancient history
A famous mathematician, astronomer and geographer Alexandria Claudius
Another scholar of the ancient world,
Astara, which was located on historic Silk Road, established extensive trade relations with
with very ancient history in the village of Kapchimahalla located in the southwestern part of Astara. The results of the researches of the remains of this caravanserai showed that the caravanserai belongs to the 7th century.German traveler Hans Schillerberger (1394-1427), who traveled to different Eastern countries as well asto Azerbaijan, gave information onAstara's international trade relations in his notes. The traveler noted that Astara is one of the centers of production of silk in Azerbaijan. The best type of silk produced in Astarawas exported to Damascus, Bursa, Kashan and Venice.
In the Middle Ages Astara was one of the religious, cultural and commercial centers in Azerbaijan. Especially pottery cultivation was the leading industry in the city. Later 13th century and earlier 14th century monetary was existed in the village of Mashkhan in Astara. Russian scientist A.M.Markov deeply investigated the coins produced in Derbent, Shamakhi and Tabriz, as well as in Astara. He gave detailed information about monetary in Astara. The scientist proves that the cities, which names written on the coins are present-day Azerbaijani cities. The Hulakis, Jalaris, Teymuris, their successors that ruled in different periods, minted coins in the Astara monetary. Coins of Amir Teymur's period and next period with legend "Zarbe Astara" are the coins, minted in Astara. This was proved in the works of European scientists. 16 pattern of these coins preserved in the Historical Institute, the Tajikistan National Academy of Sciences at present.
As of 1747 Astara was the capital of Talish district. Then the capital was moved from Astara to
Famous French scientist, archeologist and traveler Jak De Morgan (1856-1934) also visited Astara. He said that he was astonished at over ground and underground recourses: "Astara is an ancient Russian town. It plays role of custom-house between Iran and Azerbaijan, as well as keeps its former peculiarity. Now it is just custom-house. Astara is exit of caravanserais and ships from Azerbaijan to Iran (Ardabil)". Famous French writer Alexander Duma gave interesting information about Astara as well.[3]
Modern history
Astara District was established in 1930. In 1963, it was abolished as a district and its territory incorporated into Lankaran District and in 1965, its administrative district status was restored. Overall area of the district is 616.4 km2 (238.0 sq mi). Its population is 95,300 people.[4] The district's capital, Astara is a small picturesque Caspian port town, on the Azerbaijan-Iran border, capital of Azerbaijan's southernmost district. Coming southbound from Lankaran, there is a giant samovar by the road welcoming visitors to the district.
Astara district is very wooded with 37,000 ha (370 km2) of forests. Famous
Geography
Astara shares boundaries with
"Yanar Bulag" complex, one of the geological objects in Astara, is located in the south of the village of Archivan, near the Alat-Astara highway. The spring water is rich with sulfur and methane gas. The spring is of great interest to both locals and tourists. “Istisu” (hot water), a herbal spring in Astara is known all over Azerbaijan.
Nature
Astara is located in lowland and mountain zone. The region is surrounded by the rich Talish mountain range in the west. The district is famous for its dishes made of rare fish species from the Caspian Sea. The king of rare trees in the forests of Astara is iron tree. This tree has a strategic importance, besides giving beauty to these forests. Lime, orange, kiwi, kinkan, feijoa and other citrus fruits, especially rice are grown in Astara. In the lower parts of the woods there are evergreen branches, as well as elder ones. The Caucasian Cherry creates special jungles on slightly wet slopes. Caspian Shelter dominates in the area. On the slopes of the forests, the Lankaran stream, lime and many other trees create specially mixed woods. At a slight height above the sea surface, another type of maple forms the thick woods with peanut. On the lower floors of this type of forest, blackberries, chumshads, and a small amount of granite create a special floor.
Most of the Hirkan National Park is located in the Astara region. The fauna of Astara include
Rivers
Astarachay River flows through the border between Azerbaijan and Iran. It flows into the Caspian Sea. The length of the river is 38 km, the basin area is 242 square km. It takes its source from the Shingan fortress (1817 m high) in the Talysh Range. About 70% of annual flows is rain water, 22% is underground waters, and 8% is snow waters. Strong floods are observed in the spring months. The river is used in irrigation. The city's name is derived from the name of Astarachay.
Astara is now famous for its environmentally friendly and high-quality rivers. In 2002 and subsequent years, Astara River was awarded the highest award and won a gold medal at the International Exhibitions held in Madrid, capital of Spain, an award in Moscow.
Etymology
There are two main theories for the etymology of the city's name. One is that it derived from the Persian or Talysh word آهسته رو (Aste-ro or Aheste-ro), meaning "the place where the travel gets slower" (given the marshlands that surrounded the region before).[6]
Architectural monuments
102 of the district's monuments were included in the "Distribution of Real Property and Cultural Monuments to State Protection in the Territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan" in 2001 and issued an official inventory number. According to the decree, 26 monuments are of national significance, 48 architectural monuments of local significance, 2 are monumental memorial monuments, 21 are archaeological monuments of local importance, 5 decorative. The most ancient of these monuments is the "Stone Box Necropolis" in the village of Ezettd, from the early first millennium BCE, "Miki dolmen necropolis" in Miki village. Architectural monuments include a 12th-century tomb in Shahagaj village and Sheikh Mohammed Zalani's tomb in Burzubend village.
There are more than 8,000 exhibits in the Astara Regional History and Ethnography Museum. Iron and Bronze Age include copper coins, mostly from the 9th to 12th centuries.
There are over 400 historical and architectural monuments in the district, among them a tower in Şindan village often called Babek tower, an ancient tower in Nudis village, Məşədi Abutalıb bath house, Hajı Teymur and Haji Jahanbakhish mosques in Pensər village, tomb in Şahağac village, Karbalayi Hamid Abdulla bath house in Ərçivan village. Ərçivan village has sulphur-rich springs which burn if ignited. There are stone monuments of the Stone and Bronze Ages in Qapıçıməhəllə village. Ruins of 8th-century bridges in Sipiyəpart, Seləkəran, Lomin və Pəlikəş villages are a major tourist attraction.[5]
Population
According to the
Region | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astara region | 85,3 | 86,4 | 87,3 | 88,4 | 89,5 | 90,8 | 92,2 | 93,3 | 94,6 | 95,9 | 97,2 | 98,3 | 99,8 | 101,2 | 102,6 | 103,9 | 105,2 | 106,5 | 107,6 | 108,6 | 109,7 | 110,5 |
urban population | 18,8 | 19,1 | 19,5 | 19,9 | 20,2 | 20,7 | 21,1 | 21,4 | 21,7 | 22,1 | 22,3 | 22,4 | 22,6 | 32,0 | 32,3 | 32,6 | 32,9 | 33,3 | 33,4 | 33,6 | 33,8 | 33,9 |
rural population | 66,5 | 67,3 | 67,8 | 68,5 | 69,3 | 70,1 | 71,1 | 71,9 | 72,9 | 73,8 | 74,9 | 75,9 | 77,2 | 69,2 | 70,3 | 71,3 | 72,3 | 73,2 | 74,2 | 75,0 | 75,9 | 76,6 |
Economy
Astara is a major source for Azerbaijan's fishing industry. Having a long coastline and inner access to rivers, the district has access to many types of marketable fish.
Transport
The district has a border crossing into Iran, with the Iranian half of the town, also called Astara, on the other side of the river Astara. The Baku to Tehran bus stops in Astara.
References
- ^ "İnzibati-ərazi vahidləri" (PDF). preslib.az. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Population of Azerbaijan". stat.gov.az. State Statistics Committee. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ Azerbaijanpreslib.az Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Astara Districtu Academic System". Archived from the original on 4 September 2011.
- ^ a b c "CƏNUB MARŞRUTU: BAKI - SALYAN - BİLƏSUVAR - CƏLİLABAD - MASALLI - LƏNKƏRAN - LERİK - ASTARA". Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Islamic Azad University of ASTARA". Archived from the original on 15 December 2006.
- ^ a b "Political division, population size and structure: Population by towns and regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan". The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "Political division, population size and structure: Population by sex, towns and regions, urban settlements of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 2018". The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "Political division, population size and structure: Population at age 14-29 by towns and regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 2018". The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 18 December 2018.