Where is the Absheron Peninsula and what are its features? This is what we wanted to talk about in our article. This piece of 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 with this peninsula that the Greater Caucasus Range ends in the southeast. The population of Absheron is 90% Azerbaijanis, 6% Russians, 2% Tatars and 1% Ukrainians.
Hydronym
The Absheron Peninsula, the photo of which can be viewed in the article, got its name several centuries ago. A small settlement of the same name, which existed until the beginning of the 18th century, gave its name to the peninsula, calling it a cape. The very word "Absheron" is borrowed from the Tats and means s alt water. It is believed that at first they designated the Caspian Sea, and only then they began to call the coastalsettlement. This is not the only hypothesis, as there are other options for the origin of the name of the peninsula.
Short description
The Absheron Peninsula (Azerbaijan) is not very large. Its length does not exceed 60 km, and its width is 30 km. The total area is about 2,000 sq. km. The surface of the peninsula is an undulating plain with uplifts and mud hills. Endorheic basins filled with solonchaks and s alt lakes make up the relief of Apsheron. It is very rare to find areas with moving sands. The highest point of the plain reaches 165 m, and volcanoes rise 310 m above sea level.
Local features
In the east of the peninsula there is a sandy Shakhova Spit. On its southwestern side, at the foot of a horseshoe-shaped bay, the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is located like an amphitheatre. The Absheron Peninsula is rich in many thermal springs and mud volcanoes. Deposits of the Neogene and Anthropogenic systems are found everywhere here, and the outcrop of the Tabashir deposits is observed in its northwestern part. The peninsula itself is located in a seismically active zone.
Absheron has a rich history. Archaeological excavations testify to its settlement since the Bronze Age. Rock records and artifacts that have survived to this day say that fishing, hunting, agriculture, pottery and weaving were then well developed.
Climate
Dry tropical climate all year round provides in the local territoryrelative to the temperature (on average from +25 °C in summer and up to +3 °C in winter), which makes the rest on the Absheron Peninsula as comfortable as possible. Depending on the territorial location (northern, southern, western and eastern sides), the annual rainfall ranges from 140 to 250 mm. Strong winds blow here very often.
Plant and animal life
The vegetation of the ephemeral semi-desert prevails on the Absheron Peninsula. Hares, foxes, lizards, jerboas, turtles, snakes, frogs and gulls are representatives of the local fauna. The inhabitants of the Absheron Peninsula are engaged in sheep breeding, melon growing on irrigated lands, saffron, olives, almonds, figs, sweet grapes and olives are grown in subtropical orchards.
Attractions
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 14th century. Historians, based on many years of research, suggested that it was originally built as a temple.
One of the monuments of ancient architecture is the round castle in the village of Mardakan, built in 1232. Not far from 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. The castle is a fortress of 5 tiers 22 meters high.
No less interesting for guests visiting the Absheron Peninsula is the temple of fire"Ateshnakh", located in the village of Surakhani. It got its name due to the gas coming out of the bowels of the earth and igniting in air. In the 18th century, this place was considered holy; hermits built cells and chapels around it. They led a celibate life, 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 heritages of Absheron is the "stone roads". These are 2-3 (sometimes 5) ditches with a depth of 5 to 50 cm, hollowed out on rocky surfaces parallel to each other. All of them are directed towards the sea. Most of them have been destroyed by time, but there are surviving sections 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, and Surakhani. The time of construction of "stone roads" is approximately 4-5 millennium BC.
Flora lovers are advised to visit the arboretum, located near the village of Mardakan. Here you can see various types of wild plants growing in as close to natural conditions as possible.
Village tours
Trips to Absheron villages are very popular with tourists. Now their number exceeds 60. Most of them appeared a very long time ago, the other arose from the workers' settlements of the Soviet era. During this tour, guests of Azerbaijan are introduced to the cuisine, traditions and customs of the Caucasian people. For Azerbaijanis, pilaf is the mostpopular dish. Dressing and rice for it are prepared separately. It is generously flavored with spices and seasonings. Very often cherry plum, plum, quince and apricots are used in this capacity.
Industry
The Absheron Peninsula is an important industrial area of Azerbaijan. It and the water area adjacent to it have rich deposits of oil and gas. Oil has been extracted from wells for several centuries; on an industrial scale, such developments have been carried out since the end of the 19th century. The existing oil and gas production, as well as the oil refining industry (Karadag) have led to great environmental problems.
Summarize
The Absheron Peninsula is a favorite vacation spot for local and foreign tourists, despite the fact that many city beaches are closed for swimming. Visiting open coastal areas is paid. For a small cost, you will be given the opportunity to use a sun lounger, swim in the sea, bring a teapot with a saucer of jam.
